Rwandan troops deployed in Jamaica have been praised for their vital role in supporting communities affected by natural disasters, following their involvement in rebuilding homes damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) engineering contingent, based in Montego Bay in St James Parish, received the commendation on January 31, 2026, during a visit by Brigadier O’Neil A. Bogle, Commander of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Support Brigade, who assessed the progress of ongoing reconstruction works.
The RDF troops are working alongside JDF engineers to repair and reconstruct houses damaged by strong winds and heavy rainfall caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica in October last year, leaving several families displaced.
During the visit, Brigadier Bogle was received by Colonel Moses Kayigamba, Commander of the RDF Construction Engineering Contingent, who briefed him on completed works and projects still underway.
The JDF official and his hosts also met residents whose homes have already been rehabilitated, with beneficiaries expressing gratitude for the timely assistance provided by both the Rwandan and Jamaican forces.
Brigadier Bogle commended the RDF engineering team for its professionalism, commitment and humanitarian spirit, and praised the RDF leadership for deploying the contingent to assist Jamaica during a critical recovery period.
To date, the RDF team has repaired and rebuilt 15 houses, all of which have been handed over to their owners, with reconstruction activities continuing in other affected areas.
