Rwanda Approves Establishment of University to Train Military Generals
The Rwandan Cabinet, during its meeting held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, approved a draft law establishing the National Defence University (NDU), marking the creation of the country’s first fully-fledged military university.
The National Defence University will become Rwanda’s highest institution dedicated to military education and training. Its establishment follows earlier government plans to strengthen advanced military training and strategic studies within the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
In May 2024, the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, informed the Senate that Rwanda was planning to set up a military university capable of training officers up to the rank of General. At the time, he explained that while Rwanda already hosts several military training institutions, only two operate at a higher academic level: the Rwanda Military Academy (RMA) in Gako, and the Nyakinama military school, which provides training mainly for senior officers such as Majors, Lieutenant Colonels, and, in exceptional cases, Colonels.
The Defence Minister also revealed plans to establish an additional institution, the National Defence College, designed to train senior officers from the rank of Colonel up to General level.
According to the approved plan, the newly created National Defence University will bring together the National Defence College and other existing military schools under a single institutional framework.
The university is expected to offer military education across all levels, including foundational training for officers, operational command courses, and advanced strategic and policy studies. Training programs will be structured to provide junior officers with tactical and technical skills, mid-career officers with advanced operational expertise, and senior officers with high-level strategic planning capabilities.
Beyond training, the NDU is also expected to promote research and academic collaboration, including partnerships with international institutions.
Unlike civilian universities such as the University of Rwanda, the National Defence University will focus specifically on military and security studies, targeting RDF personnel as well as a select number of civilians working in security-related sectors.
The concept of establishing the National Defence University dates back to 2018, following consultations between RDF leadership and international partners, including the United States National Defence University.
