President Paul Kagame has carried out a major reshuffle across government, public institutions, and diplomatic missions, appointing new ministers, senior civil servants, heads of state agencies, and ambassadors in changes announced on the night of June 10, 2026.
The appointments, made through the Office of the Prime Minister, affect key ministries including Infrastructure, Trade and Industry, and Public Service and Labour, alongside leadership changes in major public institutions and Rwanda’s foreign missions abroad.
The reshuffle also introduces a structural adjustment in the Ministry of Infrastructure, which will now be led by a minister supported by two State Ministers.
Infrastructure Ministry leadership changes
Damien Murwanashyaka has been appointed Minister of Infrastructure, replacing Dr. Jimmy Gasore.
Murwanashyaka is a civil engineer with extensive experience in Rwanda’s construction sector. He has previously held senior leadership roles in the private sector, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Developers Ltd (2024–2025) and later founding Preferred Contractors Ltd in 2025, which he also led.
His professional background includes work with several construction and engineering firms, among them Real Contractors Ltd, ROKO Construction Ltd, Cimerwa PPC, GASABO 3D Design Ltd, and Century Engineering Contractors.
He holds a First Class degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Rwanda, as well as additional academic qualifications from Oklahoma Christian University.
In the same ministry, Armand Zingiro has been appointed State Minister, moving from the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), where he served as Director General since September 2023. He had previously headed the Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL) from 2020.
Following his departure, Maximilien Byilingiro has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of REG.
Col. Claudien Bizimungu has also been appointed State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure. He previously served in the Rwanda Defence Forces engineering infrastructure structures.
Trade and Industry Ministry changes
In the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Antoine Marie Kajangwe has been appointed Minister, replacing Prudence Sebahizi.
Kajangwe had been serving as Permanent Secretary in the ministry since August 2024, after previously holding senior roles related to trade and investment within the same institution.
Chantal Tuyishimire has been appointed Permanent Secretary, replacing Kajangwe following his elevation to Cabinet.
Public Service and Labour Ministry reshuffle
Judith Uwizeye has been appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour, replacing Amb. Christine Nkulikiyinka, who has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Spain.
Uwizeye returns to the ministry she previously led between 2014 and 2017. She had been serving as Minister in the Office of the President since July 2025.
She holds a law degree from the former National University of Rwanda and a Master’s degree in International Economic Law and Business Law from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Changes in public institutions
Louise Kanyonga has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Zigama CSS. She previously served as Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) from 2022 to 2026 and has also held senior positions at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), including Head of Planning and Company Registration.
Michelle Umurungi has been appointed Deputy CEO in charge of Investment at the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). She previously worked at RDB as Director of Investment Promotion and brings experience in finance and investment management.
Diplomatic appointments
President Kagame also appointed new ambassadors to represent Rwanda abroad.
Lt Gen (Rtd) Karenzi Karake has been appointed Ambassador to China.
Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana has been appointed Ambassador to Israel.
Col (Rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga has been appointed Ambassador to Poland.
Amb. Christine Nkulikiyinka has been appointed Ambassador to Spain.
The reshuffle is expected to strengthen leadership across key sectors, particularly infrastructure delivery, economic governance, and public service management.
