APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Rwanda President Paul Kagame has appointed a new defense minister in a mini-reshuffle announced on Tuesday, with the new appointment and changes to top Rwandan security organs.
Juvenal Marizamunda, who was until recently commander of Rwanda Correction Services (RCS), was named the new defense minister, while Lieutenant General Mubarakh Muganga, former chief of staff of infantery, was appointed new Chief of defense staff.
Muganga, 56, is a highly experienced officer, having served in the RDF for more than 30 years.
Other changes included the elevation of Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi to Infantenry Army Chief of Staff, replacing Muganga. Nyakarundi was the head of Defence Intelligence in Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF), a position that will be occupied by Col François-Régis Gatarayiha in an interim capacity.
Kagame also named Maj Gen Alex Kagame as the Joint Taskforce Commander in Mozambique, where he will replace Maj Gen. Eugène Nkubito who has been deployed there since August last year.
Nkubito will now take charge of the 3rd Division of RDF while another senior officer Col Théodomir Bahizi was named Battle Group Commander in Mozambique where Rwandan security forces have been deployed since
2021 to restore security in the northern part of the country.
CU/as/APA