Rwanda:  Kagame Reshuffles Cabinet

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has initiated a significant leadership reshuffle, replacing long-serving Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente with economist Justin Nsengiyumva and unveiling a new cabinet, marking a shift in the country’s executive leadership.

Ngirente, who had previously served as Prime Minister since 2017, was dismissed on Wednesday, July 23. His successor, Justin Nsengiyumva, brings extensive economic and administrative experience to the role. He most recently served as Vice Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda and holds a PhD in economics. Prior to that, Nsengiyumva held senior positions as Permanent Secretary in both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Upon his appointment, he pledged to lead with humility and support President Kagame’s national development agenda.

In line with constitutional requirements following the appointment of a new Prime Minister, a new cabinet was announced the following day, July 24. While many incumbent ministers retained their positions, the reshuffle introduced four new members to key government posts.

Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye was named Minister of Environment. Prior to her appointment, she led Land Restoration Programs in Africa at the World Resources Institute (WRI), where she oversaw initiatives like Restore Local. Arakwiye holds a PhD in Geography from Clark University and is a former NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow, recognized for her research on forest cover change in western Rwanda.

Dominique Habimana was appointed Minister of Local Government. He had served as Secretary General of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) since June 2024.

Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye returned as Minister of State for Infrastructure, a role he previously held from 2017 to 2019. Before his reappointment, he was Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.

Telesphore Ndabamenye became Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources. He had been Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) since March 2023.

By reappointing seasoned technocrats while introducing new leaders from both domestic institutions and the international development space, the government appears focused on deepening policy continuity while injecting new energy into key sectors. This approach reflects Kagame’s broader governance style—one that prioritizes performance, technocratic competence, and alignment with Rwanda’s long-term development goals.

The inclusion of figures like Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, with her global environmental experience, and Dominique Habimana, with his grounding in local government affairs, suggests an intention to balance macro-level strategy with grassroots implementation. Meanwhile, the return of officials like Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, who previously held the same infrastructure portfolio, reinforces the value placed on institutional memory and proven leadership.

Altogether, the reshuffle underscores Kagame’s commitment to maintaining stability while recalibrating his team to address emerging challenges, from climate resilience and urban planning to agricultural reform and decentralization. It is not merely a routine bureaucratic adjustment, but a carefully calibrated move to strengthen state capacity and accelerate Rwanda’s development trajectory.