The President of the Republic, Paul Kagame, based on Articles 116 and 112 of the Constitution, dismissed some members of the Government and appointed new ones. Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, who had been the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), replaced Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe as Minister. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Usta Kayitesi was appointed Minister of State, replacing Gen. James Kabarebe, who returned to his role as the President’s Advisor on Security.
Dr. Charles Muligande, 67, who last held public office in 2015 (when he served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Japan from 2011–2015), had previously occupied several key positions, including Minister of Education from 2009–2011, Minister in Charge of Cabinet Affairs from 2008–2009, and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2002–2008. He has now been appointed Senator, replacing Dr. Usta Kayitesi who became Minister of State.
The new Minister of State in MINAGRI is Dr. Solange Uwituze, who had been the Deputy Director General in charge of Animal Resources at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
The changes in MINAGRI come swiftly, as Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe had only been appointed Minister last year on October 19, 2024. These changes follow media reports indicating that residents in Kayonza District—especially in Ndego Sector and surrounding areas—were affected by drought and food shortages.
