The Government of Rwanda is set to establish a National Defence University (NDU–Rwanda) following Cabinet approval of a draft law creating the institution, marking a major step in advancing military education and professional training.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday evening, January 29, 2026, according to resolutions released after the session.
The National Defence University is intended to strengthen advanced academic training within the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), particularly for senior officers, as part of broader efforts to build a highly professional and modern military.
Speaking in 2024, Minister of Defence Juvenal Marizamunda said the move aims to expand knowledge and skills among military personnel beyond conventional training programmes.
Currently, Rwanda has several military higher learning institutions that provide professional military education, but their academic qualifications are awarded by the University of Rwanda (UR).
“These institutions include the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako and the Senior Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District,” Marizamunda said at the time.
He explained that the Gako academy focuses on training junior officers, while the Nyakinama-based college provides advanced courses for senior officers holding the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.
Under the new structure, the National Defence University will offer training primarily for senior officers from the rank of Colonel to General.
“What will change is that the institution will operate as a National Defence University, bringing together three colleges, alongside other entities such as a research centre and a Peace Academy, all under one university framework,” Marizamunda said.
Efforts to establish the university date back several years. In 2018, a delegation from the United States National Defense University visited Rwanda to explore possible cooperation in setting up a similar institution.
The RDF says the establishment of the National Defence University reflects its ambition to further professionalise the force and enhance its capacity in leadership, strategy, research and peace and security studies.
