Meet some of the leaders of Rwanda’s various ministries

Sometimes the head of state puts a new leader in charge, some former ministers are given additional responsibilities unrelated to the ministry they were already in charge of, while other ministers are simply transferred to that ministry.

An example is Dr. Vincent Biruta, Dr. Maria Jeanne d’Arc and Dr. Maria Valentine being removed from the ministry and transferred to other ministries.

This story showcases some of the leaders who have led multiple ministries since 1994 and who often find themselves remaining in positions leading ministries amid the changes that have taken place.

Dr. Vincent Biruta leads seven ministries

Dr. Vincent Biruta is a seasoned leader in Rwandan politics, having headed seven ministries.

Biruta was born on July 19, 1958. In 1997, he was appointed Minister of Health, and in 1999, he was appointed Minister of Public Service, Transport and Communications, a position he held until 2000.

He has been Chairman of the Transitional Parliament since 2000 and President of the Senate from 2003 to 2011.

In 2011, he returned to the ministry and was appointed Minister of Education, in 2014 he was appointed Minister of Natural Resources, and in 2017, the role changed and he was appointed Minister of Environment.

The third department he heads is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, responsibilities he assumed in 2019 until his appointment as Minister of National Security (MININTER) on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Sources familiar with the matter said the postponement of these duties was due to his modesty, balanced and careful speech, avoidance of hasty statements and his fluent command of languages ​​including Kinyarwanda, French and English.

Shy James led five ministries

Musoni James is one of those leaders who has headed several ministries, thanks to his experience and knowledge of Rwandan politics, and he is one of the longest-serving members of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).

He served as Minister of Infrastructure from 2014 to 2018, Minister of Local Government from 2009 to 2014, and Minister of Finance and Economic Planning from 2006 to 2009.

He also served as Minister of Trade and Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cooperatives from 2005 to 2006, and as Secretary of State for Investment and Industrial Promotion in 2005.

Currently, Musoni James serves as Rwanda’s ambassador to Zimbabwe.

Dr. Joan of Arc is one of the leaders of four ministries

Dr. Jeanne d’Arc was born in 1970 and is known for her expertise in chemistry, having obtained her third degree at a Russian university.

He went on to study chemistry and physics at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, where he earned his Ph.D.

In 2001, when he was teaching at the former University of Rwanda in Butare, the students he taught ran to him to hug him and say “congratulations” but he did not know what was going on, they told us he said they heard the news of his appointment as the National Doctor in charge of primary and secondary schools in the Ministry of Education.

In 2005, he was appointed Secretary of State for Higher Education and Universities and shortly afterwards, in 2006, Minister of Education.

He served in this position for two years, and in 2008 he was appointed Minister of Equality and Community Development, a position he held for more than three years, and in 2011 he was sent to lead the University of Science and Technology formerly known as KIST. Various issues were discussed there, and from these roles, in 2013 the school was back on track.

He was sent by President Paul Kagame to represent Rwanda in Russia from 2013, where he worked for six years before being appointed Minister of Environment in 2019.

According to an announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office on June 12, 2024, Mujawamariah was appointed Minister of Public Employees and Labour (MIFOTRA), becoming the fourth ministry under his leadership.

Dr. Mujawamariya is a leader who is fluent in five languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English, Russian and Swahili.

People who knew him well said that he enjoyed working, made decisions when necessary, was humble, got along well with others, and did most of his work in the office and visited the people.

Dr. Mary Valentine led three ministries

Dr. Uwamariya Valentine was born in Shangi, Nyamasheke District in 1971. She is one of the leaders in Rwanda sworn in to lead multiple ministries in a short period of time, having headed three ministries in four years.

The official who was appointed Minister of Environment on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, enters his field of knowledge, since he holds a PhD from UNESCO-IHE and TU Delft in the Netherlands in the scientific field ‘Water and Environmental Technology.

He is also a Chemistry expert with a second degree (A0) from the University of Rwanda and a third degree (Master’s) from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

In February 2020, Dr. Maria Valentin was appointed as the Minister of Education. Many considered this a responsibility and since he was given these responsibilities, he has shown leadership during the difficult times of COVID-19 so that students would not be affected.

He addressed pressing issues at high schools and colleges, some of which were closed permanently.

In these positions, teachers never forget him, and when they are told that their salaries have almost doubled, they thank him for his advocacy work with parents, especially on the issue of cancelling tuition fee increases, for which he is praised. He has lived with teachers and students for nearly a few years, and he has played three of these roles.

On August 22, 2023, Dr. Uwamariya Valentine was appointed as the Minister of Equality and Community Development, a position he held for a year on June 12, 2024, when he was appointed Minister of Environment.

Christophe led three ministries from them

Bazivamo Christophe is one of the heads of three ministries in Rwanda: the Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Mines and the Ministry of Local Government, and has served as Minister of National Security since 2005.

Dr. Charles Murigande is one of the leaders of the four ministries

Dr. Charles Mulligand, born on August 15, 1958, has retired and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2002 to 2008, Minister of Government Affairs from 2008 to 2009, and Minister of Education from 2009 to 2011.

Please help me change this paragraph of Muligande and put it above Valentine.

He served as Minister of Transport from 1995 to 1997.

There are also the heads of two ministries, including Louise Mushikiwabo, who will succeed the Minister of Information as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Dr. Pierre Damien Habmuremi, born on February 20, 1961, served as Prime Minister of Rwanda from October 7, 2011 to July 24, 2014, and as Minister of Education from May 2011 to October 2011.

and Murekezi Anastase, who became prime minister after serving as civil service and labour minister.

Senator Nyirasafari Espérence becomes Minister of Sports and Culture after serving as Minister of Equality and Community Development.

Soline Nyirahabimana, formerly Minister of Equality and Family Development and previously Rwanda’s Ambassador to Switzerland, has been State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice since 2020, in charge of the Constitution and other laws.

General James Kabarebe (RTD) is a former Minister of Defence and currently Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after serving as Special Military Adviser to President Paul Kagame.

Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa was previously Secretary of State for Planning at MINECOFIN, Minister of Trade and Industry from 2008 to 2011, during which time she was Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Rwanda, and is currently Vice-President of the African Union Commission from 2021.

Musoni Protais is the Minister of Local Government and Minister in charge of Cabinet.

Inevitably, we return to the late Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Minister Habineza Joseph (Jo).