Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame sacks 244 soldiers

June 7, 2023 Elwin Mandowa

Over 200 soldiers including senior military officers have been sacked from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). They were sacked by President Paul Kagame.

The dismissed officers include Maj Gen Aloys Muganga who served as commander of the reserve forces from 2018 to 2019 and Brig Gen Francis Mutiganda, who headed the external security in the national intelligence service. In all, 14 senior officers have been affected.

Mr. Kagame also authorised the dismissal of 116 soldiers of other ranks and approved the termination of service contracts of 112 soldiers.

A statement issued by the RDF statementgave no reason for the sacking of those 244 soldiers.

RDF PRESS RELEASE – DISMISSALS AND RESCISSION OF SERVICE CONTRACTS IN THE RDF pic.twitter.com/bnMFyqbXUI

— Rwanda Defence Force (@RwandaMoD) June 6, 2023

– Advertisement –

The move comes a day after Mr Kagame reshuffled top military officers, firing a defence minister and army chief at the same time and announcing their replacements – uncommon in Rwanda.

Maj Gen Muganga, who until his sacking was commander of the mechanised division, is a graduate of US War College and served as commander of reserve forces from 2018 to 2019.

Brig Gen Mutiganda had been head of external security in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) until 2018 when Mr Kagame redeployed him to RDF headquarters in the capital Kigali.

Newly appointed RDF Chief of Defence Staff and Army Chief of Staff assume responsibilities https://t.co/wBZrEcsPmH pic.twitter.com/7uxEfWhebk

— Rwanda Defence Force (@RwandaMoD) June 6, 2023

The reshuffle and sacking come at a time of heightened tension between Rwanda and its western neighbour DR Congo, each side accusing the other of working with a rebel group to topple the government.