Kagame appoints new ministers in mini-cabinet reshuffle
President Paul Kagame made new cabinet changes Wednesday, appointing three new ministers and two state ministers, according to a statement by the prime minister’s office.
Kagame named Damien Murwanashyaka as the Minister of Infrastructure, replacing Jimmy Gasore who had served in the portfolio since 2023.
Before his appointment, Murwanashyaka served as a chief executive of real estate company known as UDL.
Judith Uwizeye was appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour, replacing Christine Nkulikiyinka, who was appointed ambassador to Spain, while Antoine Marie Kajangwe was named Minister of Trade and Industry.
Kajangwe, who served as the permanent secretary in the same ministry replaced Prudence Sebahizi who had served in the position since August 2024.
Uwizeye, who until her latest appointment served as minister in the president’s office, a now defunct ministry, had previously held the public service ministerial post.
The president also appointed Armand Zingiro and Col. Claudien Bizimungu as Ministers of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Zingiro served as the chief executive officer of Rwanda Energy Group (REG), while Bizimungu has previously served as the Deputy Commander of the Rwanda Defense Force Engineer Command.
In other appointments, the president named several new ambassadors.
Lt Gen (Rtd) Karenzi Karake, a former intelligence chief was named Rwanda’s ambassador to China, replacing James Kimonyo, who had served in the position since November 2019, Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana, who served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defense was nominated new envoy to Israel, Col (Rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga, the former Secretary General of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), to Poland.
He replaces Amb Anastase Shyaka, who had served in the position since 2021.
Also appointed were Louise Kanyonga, as the new Chief Executive Office of Zigama CSS, while Mazimilien Byilingiro was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group.
Kanyonga served as deputy chief executive at Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), while Byilingiro was General Manager of methane gas company Shema Power Lake Kivu.
Chantal Tuyishimire was named the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
