Since the liberation of Rwanda in 1994, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has been led by seven different commanders who played key roles in rebuilding the military, strengthening national security and supporting peacekeeping missions across Africa.
President Paul Kagame, the Commander-in-Chief of the RDF, said in late 2025 that he was proud of the current state of Rwanda’s security institutions, particularly the RDF, describing it as the kind of force he had always envisioned for the country.
Over the past 32 years, the RDF has transformed into one of Africa’s most respected and professional militaries, shaped by commanders who led during different phases of Rwanda’s reconstruction and security evolution.
Some of the former chiefs retired from active military service, while others continue serving in diplomatic or government positions.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Samuel Kanyemera ‘Sam Kaka’
Maj Gen (Rtd) Samuel Kanyemera, commonly known as Sam Kaka, became the first Chief of Defence Staff of the RDF in 1994 and served until 1998.
He was among the frontline commanders during the liberation struggle and was one of the highest-ranking officers in the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) at the time, alongside President Kagame and the late Fred Gisa Rwigema.
Sam Kaka retired from the military in 2003 with the rank of Brigadier General before being recalled into service in 2012, when President Kagame promoted him to Major General.
Beyond the military, he served as a commissioner in the National Commission for Human Rights and also represented the ruling RPF-Inkotanyi party in Parliament.
He officially retired again in 2016 and later appeared in the 2019 film The 600: The Soldier’s Story, which depicts the bravery of RPA soldiers during the liberation war.
Lt Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa
Lt Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa became the second RDF chief in 1998, replacing Sam Kaka, and led the force until 2002.
He was among the RPA officers who helped stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and later served Rwanda in several senior positions, including as ambassador to India.
However, in 2010, Nyamwasa fled to South Africa after being linked to terrorism-related activities and killings that occurred that year.
In 2011, Rwanda’s Military High Court convicted him in absentia on charges including terrorism, threatening state security and spreading false information, sentencing him to 24 years in prison.
He later founded the opposition group Rwanda National Congress (RNC) while living in exile in South Africa.
Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe
Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe is the longest-serving RDF Chief of Defence Staff since 1994, having led the force from October 2002 to April 2010.
Kabarebe is widely regarded as one of Rwanda’s most influential military figures and played a central role during the liberation struggle between 1990 and 1994.
Apart from leading the RDF, he also served as commander of the Congolese army during the Second Congo War period.
After leaving the top military post, he became Rwanda’s Minister of Defence from 2010 to 2018 before later serving as Senior Presidential Advisor on Security Matters.
He currently serves as Minister of State for Regional Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga
Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga served as RDF Chief of Defence Staff from April 2010 to June 2013.
A veteran of the former RPA, Kayonga commanded the elite “600 soldiers” battalion stationed at the CND in Kigali during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
The battalion played a decisive role in protecting civilians and advancing military operations that eventually stopped the genocide.
Over the years, Kayonga received several military honors, including medals for liberation, stopping the genocide and distinguished combat service.
He currently serves as Rwanda’s ambassador to Türkiye.
Gen Patrick Nyamvumba
Gen Patrick Nyamvumba led the RDF from June 2013 to November 2019, making him the second longest-serving army chief after Gen Kabarebe.
Throughout his military career, Nyamvumba held several operational and leadership positions, including commanding infantry battalions, mechanized brigades and peacekeeping missions.
He also served as Force Commander of the joint African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) between 2009 and 2013.
After his tenure as RDF chief, he was appointed Rwanda’s Minister of Internal Security.
Nyamvumba currently serves as Rwanda’s ambassador to Tanzania.
Gen Jean Bosco Kazura
Gen Jean Bosco Kazura served as RDF Chief of Defence Staff from November 2019 until June 2023.
Before assuming the role, he headed the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Musanze.
Kazura, who was born in Burundi, was also part of the RPF liberation struggle and held several senior military responsibilities over the years.
His previous assignments included serving as Deputy Force Commander in African Union peacekeeping operations in Sudan and Chief of Staff at RDF headquarters.
He also served as president of Rwanda’s football federation FERWAFA in 2006.
In 2024, Kazura officially retired from military service.
Gen Mubarakh Muganga
Gen Mubarakh Muganga became the current RDF Chief of Defence Staff on June 5, 2023, succeeding Gen Kazura.
He is among Rwanda’s senior military officers with extensive experience dating back to the liberation struggle and operations that stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Over his more than three decades in military service, Muganga has held several strategic positions, including Commander of the Rwanda Land Forces.
He has received multiple military decorations, including the National Liberation Medal, Campaign Against Genocide Medal, Foreign Campaign Medal and Presidential Inauguration Medal.
Other honors include the Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Service Ribbon and Community Service Ribbon, recognizing his contribution to Rwanda’s security and national rebuilding efforts.
