A statement released by the RDF on Sunday, September 1, 2024, indicated that President Kagame had promoted 654 officers to higher ranks within the army. Among those promoted are two Colonels who have been elevated to the rank of Brigadier General: Col Justus Majyambere and Col Louis Kanobayire.
Additionally, fourteen senior military officers holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel have been promoted to Colonel. These officers are Lt Col Francis Nyagatare, Lt Col Jessica Mukamurenzi, Lt Col Mulinzi Mucyo, Lt Col Alexis Kayisire, Lt Col Emmanuel Rutebuka, Lt Col Jacques Nzitonda, Lt Col Ephraim Ngoga, Lt Col Emmanuel Rukundo, Lt Col Silver Munyaneza Akarimugicu, Lt Col Tanzi Mutabaruka, Lt Col Prosper Rutabayiru, Lt Col Hubert Nyakana, Lt Col Joseph Kabanda, and Lt Col Danny Gatsinzi.
Thirty officers have been promoted from the rank of Major Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel, while 280 officers have been elevated from Captain Major to Major.
President Kagame has also promoted 40 officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, and 270 Second Lieutenants to the rank of Lieutenant.
Furthermore, nine medical officers in the non-commissioned officer category have been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and nine other medical professionals have been elevated to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Juvenal Marizamunda has promoted 4,059 non-commissioned officers to various ranks within the RDF.
In the latest round of promotions, one officer has been ascended from Warrant Officer II to Warrant Officer I, while five others have moved from Sergeant Major to Warrant Officer II. Additionally, 75 officers have been promoted from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant Major, 139 from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant, 119 from Corporal to Sergeant, and a substantial 4,059 from Private to Corporal.
These promotions follow a recent meeting on August 29, 2024, where President Kagame discussed the country's peace and security priorities with senior army officers.
The meeting also resulted in the dismissal of Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Col Dr. Etienne Uwimana, and 19 other senior and junior officers. The contracts of 195 other military personnel of various ranks were also terminated.
RDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga stated that Major General Nzaramba was dismissed for corruption and the misappropriation of funds designated for soldiers' welfare during his tenure as Commandant of the Basic Military Training Centre in Nasho. Similarly, Colonel Dr. Etienne Uwimana was removed for gross misconduct and violations of the RDF's core ethics and values.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/over-4-500-rdf-officers-in-promoted-in-new-changes
