New ministers and their academic qualifications #rwanda #RwOT

A background check on the new ministers' education and work experience shows that the officials are experts in various fields, including law, engineering, Science and Technology, economics and medicine among other related fields.

A spot-check conducted by IGIHE also revealed that most members of the government hold undergraduate degrees from the University of Rwanda, particularly from when it was still known as the National University of Rwanda, as well as its affiliated colleges.

Legal Experts

Among the legal experts is Judith Uwizeye, who was appointed as the Minister in the Office of the President. She obtained her undergraduate degree in law from the University of Rwanda in 2006. She later pursued further studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, where she earned a master's degree in international economics and business law. She joined the government in 2014 as a teacher of international economics and business at the University of Rwanda.

The Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, also studied law at the University of Rwanda and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Dr. Ugirashebuja has also taught law at various universities worldwide and served as the President of the East African Court of Justice.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, holds a master's degree in tax management from Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and a law degree from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

Between 2005 and 2007, Nduhungirehe taught law at various universities, including the University of Rwanda, while managing other responsibilities.

The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, earned a PhD in international law from the University of Toulouse in France in 2004. Dr. Bizimana also holds a master's degree in law from the University of Montpellier in France and an undergraduate degree in philosophy and humanities.

Medical Professionals

Among the medical professionals in the new government is the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, who holds a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Basel in Switzerland and a master's degree in epidemiology from the University of Rwanda.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ivan Butera, studied medicine at the University of Rwanda and practised in various hospitals including CHUK, CHUB, and the Kanombe Military Hospital. Dr. Butera has a master's degree in medicine from the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Butaro and a Ph.D. in human cell biology from the University of Liège in Belgium.

The Minister of Internal Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta, trained as a physician. He also holds post-graduate qualifications in planning and management of health services in developing countries, obtained from Université libre de Bruxelles, in Belgium.

Another doctor is the Minister of Youth and Arts Development, Dr. Utumatwishima Jean-Nepo Abdallah. He initially studied medicine at the University of Rwanda and earned his undergraduate degree there. Dr. Utumatwishima holds a master's degree in public health from the University of Manchester in the UK and a Ph.D. from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

Economists

Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente studied economics at the University of Rwanda and specialized in statistics and finance at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, holds a master's degree in statistics and research methodology from Cardiff University in Wales.

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, is an investor and banking expert with a master's degree in banking. The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Bonn in Germany and a master's degree in economics from the University of Rwanda. Dr. Musafiri was a lecturer and Head of Department of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Rwanda.

Technology Experts

The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, studied technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA. She holds a degree in computer technology from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, which later became the College of Science and Technology of the University of Rwanda.

The Minister of Sports, Richard Nyirishema, also qualified with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and environmental technology from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology in 2003.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Claudette Irere, obtained a master's degree in computer science from Oklahoma Christian University in 2013 and a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Rwanda in 2012.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Olivier Kabera, holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and environmental technology from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology obtained in 2004. Kabera also has a master's degree in environmental management from the University of Stirling in the UK and a business and leadership degree from the Swedish Management Institute.

Science Experts

The Minister of Environment, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the National University of Rwanda. In 2006, she earned a master's degree in chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. In 2013, Dr. Valentine earned a Ph.D. in environmental engineering and a degree in water technology from UNESCO-IHE and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

The Minister in charge of Emergency Management, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira, holds a master's degree in project management from the University of Liverpool in 2016. He also obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Rwanda, obtained in 1986.

The Minister of Education, Gaspard Twagirayezu, holds a master's degree in science engineering from Oklahoma Christian University obtained in 2013.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, holds a Ph.D. in atmospheric science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has also previously taught at the University of Rwanda.

The Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, holds a bachelor's degree in social sciences and military science, a first-level degree in military and conflict resolution, a master's degree in leadership from Ghana's top school, and a master's degree in international relations and diplomacy from Mount Kenya University.

In the Prime Minister's Office, Inès Mpambara, was a teacher in the School of journalism and Communication and also served as its director. She studied journalism in Canada.

The Minister of Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana, also taught at the Higher Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (ISAE Busogo) before it became a branch of the University of Rwanda. He holds a Ph.D. in agriculture from the University of Gembloux in Belgium and a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the National University of Rwanda.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development, Sandrine Umutoni, holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Agnes Scott College in the USA, a master's degree in French, and a degree in translation from Georgia State University in the USA.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government, Marie Solange Kayisire, holds a master's degree in project planning from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, obtained in 2008.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in charge of public finance, Richard Tusabe, holds a master's degree in project planning from Watt University in the UK.