His Excellency President Paul Kagame has announced a series of senior leadership appointments across Rwanda’s government, diplomatic service, public institutions, and technology sector, introducing new officials to positions central to the country’s public administration, international cooperation, digital transformation, and national development.
The appointments, announced on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, through an official communiqué issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, include changes within the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, the Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Irembo Ltd., and the National Artificial Intelligence Agency.
Additional appointments were announced for the National Post Office, the Itorero and Culture Promotion Academy, and Unity Club Intwararumuri.
The presidential decisions were made in accordance with Articles 80, 111, 112, and 116 of Rwanda’s Constitution, which establish the legal framework governing appointments to senior public offices.
The announcement was signed digitally by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva on behalf of President Kagame.
New Leadership in Public Service, Senate, and Foreign Affairs
Among the most prominent appointments is Julienne Uwacu, who has been named Minister of Public Service and Labour, succeeding Judith Uwizeye, who has been appointed to the Senate.
Uwacu previously served as Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri, an organization dedicated to promoting national unity, reconciliation, and social cohesion.
Her appointment places her at the head of a ministry responsible for public administration, employment policy, labour relations, and workforce development.
The ministry plays a central role in strengthening institutional performance, improving administrative efficiency, and supporting Rwanda’s broader employment and economic development priorities.
Meanwhile, Judith Uwizeye, who assumed the public service and labour portfolio in June 2026, will transition to the Senate, bringing her experience in government administration and public policy to Rwanda’s upper legislative chamber.
The Senate exercises important constitutional responsibilities, including legislative review and oversight of the fundamental principles established under Rwanda’s constitutional framework.
In the diplomatic sector, Dr. Diane Gashumba has been proposed as Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, while Dr. Valentine Uwamariya has been proposed as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden.
Gashumba previously represented Rwanda as Ambassador to Sweden and has held senior government positions, including Minister of Health.
Uwamariya brings extensive experience in public administration and national leadership. She previously served in the Senate and held several ministerial portfolios, including Education, Gender and Family Promotion, and Environment.
Their proposed diplomatic assignments come as Rwanda continues strengthening bilateral relationships with European partners in trade, education, investment, innovation, and international cooperation.
Spain and Sweden represent important diplomatic destinations for Rwanda, offering opportunities to expand economic partnerships, institutional collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges.
The appointments also include Juan Haguma, who has been named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In this position, Haguma will support the ministry’s administrative operations, institutional coordination, and implementation of Rwanda’s foreign policy priorities.
Together, these changes introduce experienced leadership across institutions responsible for domestic governance and international representation.
Rwanda Advances Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Leadership
The presidential appointments also extend to Rwanda’s digital governance and technology institutions, reflecting the increasing importance of innovation, technological development, and accessible public services within the country’s national development agenda.
At Irembo Ltd., Noella Dushime has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, while Rutagarama Ngabe has been named Chief Technical Officer.
Irembo plays an important role in Rwanda’s digital public-service infrastructure, providing an online platform through which citizens, residents, businesses, and Rwandans living abroad can access numerous government services.
The platform has contributed to simplifying administrative procedures, reducing the need for physical visits to government offices, and improving access to essential public services.
Dushime will assume responsibility for the organization’s executive leadership and institutional direction, while Ngabe will oversee technical operations and technological development.
These appointments come as Rwanda continues pursuing digital solutions intended to improve service delivery, strengthen administrative efficiency, and expand access to government institutions.
The leadership changes also extend to the National Artificial Intelligence Agency, where three senior officials have been appointed.
Olivier Twagirayezu will serve as Chief Operations Officer, Jessica Ingabire as Chief Delivery Officer, and Robert Kayinamura as Chief Strategy and Partnerships.
Their responsibilities will encompass operational management, institutional delivery, strategic planning, and the development of partnerships supporting the agency’s objectives.
Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly important component of economic and technological development, with potential applications in healthcare, education, agriculture, financial services, public administration, and industrial productivity.
For Rwanda, strengthening institutional capacity in artificial intelligence presents opportunities to encourage innovation, improve public-service delivery, and develop technological expertise.
The new leadership structure positions the agency to coordinate its operational and strategic responsibilities as the country continues expanding its participation in emerging technology sectors.
Appointments Extend to Public Institutions and Cultural Development
Beyond government ministries and technology institutions, President Kagame announced additional appointments affecting national service infrastructure, civic education, and cultural development.
Alphonse Zigira has been appointed Director General of the National Post Office, assuming responsibility for an institution involved in postal operations and related public services.
His appointment comes as postal institutions worldwide continue adapting to technological developments, changing consumer expectations, and the growing importance of digital communication and modern logistics.
In the cultural and civic education sector, Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana has been appointed Executive Coordinator of the Itorero and Culture Promotion Academy.
The institution supports the preservation of Rwandan cultural values, civic responsibility, national identity, and the transmission of cultural heritage across generations.
Itorero has historically served as a framework for civic education, leadership development, community participation, and the promotion of shared responsibilities within Rwandan society.
Mbarushimana’s appointment places him in a leadership position within an institution associated with strengthening civic engagement and preserving Rwanda’s cultural traditions.
Another notable appointment is that of Edouard Bamporiki, who has been named Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri.
According to the official announcement, his appointment followed consultations with the organization.
Bamporiki previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture and has been involved in public initiatives addressing national identity, cultural development, and reconciliation.
His return to a senior leadership position follows a presidential pardon granted by President Kagame in October 2024. Bamporiki had previously received a five-year prison sentence.
He succeeds Julienne Uwacu, who has now been appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour.
Unity Club Intwararumuri has played a role in initiatives promoting reconciliation, national unity, and social cohesion in Rwanda.
The organization brings together individuals committed to strengthening relationships among Rwandans and supporting efforts to build a society grounded in unity, mutual responsibility, and collective development.
Leadership Changes Reflect Rwanda’s Institutional Development Priorities
The October 27 appointments cover a broad range of national responsibilities, extending from public administration and parliamentary representation to diplomacy, technological innovation, civic education, and cultural preservation.
Their scope highlights the interconnected responsibilities of institutions involved in implementing government policies, delivering essential services, and supporting Rwanda’s long-term development objectives.
The appointments within Irembo Ltd. and the National Artificial Intelligence Agency are particularly significant given Rwanda’s continued investment in digital transformation and technological innovation.
Strengthening leadership within these institutions may contribute to the development of more efficient public services, greater technological capacity, and expanded opportunities for collaboration between government institutions and the private sector.
At the diplomatic level, the proposed ambassadorial assignments to Spain and Sweden provide opportunities to strengthen Rwanda’s relationships with European partners while advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The changes within the Ministry of Public Service and Labour and the Senate also bring experienced public officials into positions responsible for supporting governance, institutional continuity, and national policy implementation.
Meanwhile, appointments involving Unity Club Intwararumuri and the Itorero and Culture Promotion Academy maintain leadership attention on national unity, civic responsibility, and the preservation of Rwanda’s cultural heritage.
Taken together, the appointments introduce new leadership across institutions that contribute to Rwanda’s governance, economic development, international engagement, and public-service modernization.
The official communiqué, issued in Kigali on October 27, 2026, and signed by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva on behalf of President Paul Kagame, outlines the latest changes in Rwanda’s senior institutional leadership.
