While presiding over the swearing in ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, urged the officials to abide by their oaths as it would help them fulfill the nation's expectations. He asked them not to betray the trust placed in them by the RDF leadership.
'The nature of the work you do, which involves upholding the law and human rights, requires wisdom, discretion, dedication, and professionalism. We strongly encourage you to embrace technology because it accelerates work and simplifies the preparation of cases,' he cautioned.
Ngirente also advised the newly appointed officials not to use their authority for personal gains but to strive and uphold the integrity of the RDF. He reminded them to continue to educate themselves to ensure their actions keep pace with time.
The event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Mubarakh Muganga, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and other dignitaries.
Other officials who were sworn in for new roles include Lt. Darcy Ndayishimiye and Lt. Thérèse Mukasakindi, who were appointed as judges at the Military High Court, and Capt. Moses Ndoba and Lt. Victor Kamanda, who were appointed as judges at the Military Tribunal.
On his part, Brigadier General Patrick Karuretwa vowed to focus on promoting integrity within military ranks, with more severe punishments for violations of the law.
'Integrity is highly significant due to the responsibilities the military holds. Integrity is where we will focus most of our efforts, meaning that when we punish soldiers who violate the law, we do so with the required severity,' he said.
He reaffirmed that justice in Rwandan society is crucial, especially within military ranks, given the power, equipment, and training that soldiers have, saying they must be more vigilant than ordinary civilians to prevent misuse of their authority.
The newly appointed officials were confirmed by a Cabinet meeting held on November 9, 2024.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/new-military-court-judges-sworn-in
