Kagame appoints new ministers, ambassadors
President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, June 10, appointed four new ministers, ambassadors and officials in various institutions.
Damien Murwanashyaka was appointed Minister of Infrastructure, replacing Jimmy Gasore, who had served in position since September 2023. Murwanashyaka is a civil engineer who has worked at major real estate and constuction companies.
Since May 2024, Murwanashyaka had been chief executive officer of real estate company UDL, which is owned by Rwanda Social Security Board. He has previously served contracts manager at Century Engineering Contractors. He also worked with Real Contractors, Gasabo 3D Design and ROKO Construction.
Armand Zingiro and Col Claudien Bizimungu were appointed Ministers of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Previously, the ministry had one state minister - Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, who has been dropped.
Until his appointment, Zingiro was chief executive officer of Rwanda Energy Group (REG). Bizimungu has previously served as the Deputy Commander of the Engineer Command of Rwanda Defence Force.
Judith Uwizeye bounced back in her previous role as Minister of Public Service and Labour, replacing Christine Nkilikiyinka, who was appointed Ambassador to Spain.
Until her appointment, Uwizeye was Minister in the Office of the President. The ministry is now scrapped as per the new cabinet line up.
Nkulikiyinka returns to diplomacy as she previously served as Rwanda's Ambassador to Sweden and before then to Germany.
Antoine-Marie Kajangwe was elevated to Minister of Trade and Industry, replacing Prudence Sebahizi, who had served in the position since August 2024.
Kajangwe served as a Permanent Secretary in the same ministry, a position he took over in August 2024. He had previously served as Director General in Charge of Trade and Investment in the same ministry.
Proposed Ambassadors
Besides Amb Nkulikiyinka, President Kagame nominated other envoys to various countries.
Lt Gen (Rtd) Karenzi Karake was appointed as Proposed Ambassador to China, replacing Joseph Kimonyo, who had served in the position since November 2019. Among other duties, Karake previously served as the Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS)
Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana was appointed Ambassador to Israel, where he replaced James Gatera. Bayingana was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
Col (Rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga was appointed Ambassador to Poland. A former Secretary General of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Ruhunga replaced Anastase Shyaka, who had served in the position since 2021.
Other key appointments
Chantal Tuyishimire was appointed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Tuyishimire served as Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Louise Kanyonga was appointed Chief Executive Office of Zigama CSS, a cooperative bank owned by the country's security forces. Until her new appointment, Kanyonga was deputy chief executive of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).
Meanwhile, Mazimilien Byilingiro was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group, where he replaced Zingiro. Until recently, Byilingiro was General Manager of methane gas company Shema Power Lake Kivu.
Michelle Umurungi was appointed RSSB Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of investments, replacing Kanyonga. Until her new appointment, Umurungi was Chief Investment Officer at Rwanda Development Board.
