Gen. Nyamvumba hands over to Gen Kazura as newly appointed RDF top brass assume office

This Tuesday afternoon, the newly appointed Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff and Reserve Force Chief of Staff assumed office, in a ceremony held at the RDF headquarters in Kimihurura. 

In a move to implement changes and deployments made yesterday November 04, 2019 by President Kagame, who is also of the Commander in Chief of RDF, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba handed over office to the newly appointed RDF Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura, while the Reserve Force Chief of Staff, Gen Fred Ibingira assumed duties from Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli, during the same function. 

In his farewell address, Gen. Nyamvumba thanked the appointing authority for having given him the opportunity to lead the RDF. 

 “Together we have registered many achievements but a lot more needs to be done to get the Force to the intended level. I trust you will be able to achieve your mission as you have here a dedicated and strong team to work with. I wish you, your staff and the entire RDF all the best," Nyamvumba said in a statement. 

The newly appointed CDS Gen. Kazura in his takeover speech thanked President Kagame for having entrusted with the responsibility to lead RDF, a strong institution at home and even beyond, the statement from the Ministry of defence reads. 

Kazura also thanked the outgoing CDS for an exemplary leadership that led RDF to where it is today, noting that; “We will emulate you aiming at even doing better. I am coming with humility and assure you to accommodate everybody’s contribution towards building RDF and our country in general.” he added.

The handover ceremony follows the changes made by President Kagame on Monday evening.

In the new deployment, Kazura, 56, was also promoted to four-star General from Major General to replace Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, who was also appointed Minister for Internal Security.

Nyamvumba had served as the Chief of Defence Staff since June 2013.