President Paul Kagame, the commander-in-chief of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), has promoted a number of officers across various ranks, including colonels Innocent Munyengango and François Regis Gatarayiha, who have been elevated to the rank of brigadier general.
The promotions were announced by the RDF on Friday morning, 12 December 2025, and took effect immediately.
Brig Gen Munyengango previously served as RDF spokesperson in October 2017, replacing Maj Gen Ferdinand Safari, who had been acting in the role. He was later succeeded by the current spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga.
According to the RDF, the latest promotions reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and operational capacity within the force. A total of 43 lieutenant colonels were promoted to colonel, while 253 majors advanced to lieutenant colonel.
The communiqué further shows that 79 captains were promoted to major, and 299 lieutenants rose to the rank of captain.
In the non-commissioned ranks, 11 staff sergeants were promoted to sergeant major. Another 2,296 soldiers advanced from sergeant to staff sergeant.
The RDF also promoted 10,260 corporals to sergeant, while 7,822 privates moved up to the rank of corporal.
