President Kagame Names New Rwandan Cabinet.
KIGALI — President Paul Kagame has announced a new cabinet following a comprehensive reshuffle that includes 21 Ministers, 10 Ministers of State, and four other senior officials. The appointments, made pursuant to Article 116 of the Rwandan Constitution, reflect a mixture of continuity and new faces, with several technocrats and senior civil servants elevated to top government positions.
Ms. Judith Uwizeye, a legal expert and long-serving aide in the Presidency, has been appointed Minister in the Office of the President.
Ms. Inès Mpambara, who previously served as Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President, now takes over as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Mr. Yusuf Murangwa, who has headed the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) for over a decade, assumes the role of Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.
His appointment comes at a time when Rwanda is pursuing data-driven economic reforms and managing complex fiscal pressures.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will now be led by Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, a career diplomat who previously served as Rwanda’s envoy to the Netherlands and was also Minister of State for the EAC.
Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, a legal scholar and former president of the East African Court of Justice, continues as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Juvenal Marizamunda, who has a military and corrections background, has been named Minister of Defence.
In the security sector, Dr. Vincent Biruta, previously Foreign Affairs Minister, becomes the new Minister of Interior, while Mr. Dominique Habimana, who has served in local government administration, is appointed Minister of Local Government.
Dr. Jimmy Gasore, known for his academic work in engineering and climate science, now leads the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Ms. Paula Ingabire, who has previously worked with the Smart Africa Secretariat and continues in her role, retains her position as Minister of ICT and Innovation.
Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, a physician and former Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center, returns as Minister of Health.
In education, Mr. Joseph Nsengimana, who has worked with the Mastercard Foundation and previously served as Director of the Rwanda Coding Academy, takes over as Minister of Education.
The Environment Ministry goes to Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, an environmental scientist with experience in conservation research, while Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, a biochemist and former head of Rwanda FDA, is appointed Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources.
Ms. Prudence Sebahizi, who has worked extensively on trade policy within the African Union framework, becomes Minister of Trade and Industry.
Ministries with Expanded or Newly Refocused Mandates
A new focus on youth and culture is evident in the appointment of Dr. Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima as Minister of Youth and Arts. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira, a former Defence Minister, now takes over as Minister in Charge of Emergency Management.
Ms. Nelly Mukazayire, who has previously held senior positions at Rwanda Convention Bureau and Rwanda Development Board, was appointed Minister of Sports.
The Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement will now be led by Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana, a historian and former Executive Secretary of CNLG (National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide).
Ministers of State and Institutional Oversight
Among the 10 Ministers of State is Gen. (Rtd) James Kabarebe, who continues with the role of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation.
Other appointees include Ms. Mutesi Linda Rusagara (Resource Mobilisation and Public Investment), Mr. Godfrey Kabera (National Treasury), and Dr. Yvan Butera, a medical practitioner, as Minister of State for Health.
The appointments also cover education, local government, sports, youth, and agriculture portfolios with several deputies retained or newly introduced.
Senior Institutional Roles with Cabinet Rank
The new appointments elevate certain institutional leaders to ministerial rank.
Mr. Jean-Guy Afrika, formerly with the African Development Bank and African Union, is named CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Ms. Juliana Muganza becomes Deputy CEO of RDB, with the rank of Minister of State.
Under the updated structure, the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) and the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) will now operate under the supervision of RDB.
Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, a legal professional with experience in judicial reform, has been appointed CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) with the rank of Minister. Mr. Nick Barigye continues as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR).
The communique was issued by the Office of the President and dated 24 July 2025.
(chimp)