President Paul Kagame unveiled a reshuffled cabinet on Thursday, July 24, emphasizing stability while introducing strategic new faces to drive Rwanda’s development agenda. The move follows Wednesday’s appointment of Justin Nsengiyumva as Prime Minister, triggering a constitutional reset of the executive team.
Continuity with Strategic Shifts
While most ministers retained their positions, four notable appointments signal targeted reinforcement:
Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye – New Minister of Environment. A Clark University (Massachusetts) Ph.D. graduate and former NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow, she previously led Africa Land Restoration Programs at the World Resources Institute (WRI).
Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye – Returns as Minister of State for Infrastructure (previously held role 2017–2019). Most recently served as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye – Minister of State for Agriculture. Former Director General of Rwanda’s Agriculture Board (RAB) and ex-Secretary General of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA).
Dominique Habimana – Minister of Local Governments.
Expertise in Focus
The appointments highlight Kagame’s prioritization of technical expertise:
Dr. Arakwiye brings global environmental credentials, having spearheaded initiatives like Restore Local across Africa.
Uwihanganye’s reappointment to Infrastructure leverages his prior experience amid major regional connectivity projects.
Dr. Ndabamenye steps up from leading national agricultural innovation at RAB.
Rwanda’s constitution mandates cabinet dissolution upon appointment of a new Prime Minister. Nsengiyumva’s selection on July 23 paved the way for this restructuring, which retains core ministries while optimizing sectors critical to Rwanda’s economic ambitions—environment, agriculture, infrastructure, and local governance.
This reshuffle reinforces Kagame’s model of balancing institutional memory with fresh, globally connected talent to advance Rwanda’s development goals.
