President Paul Kagame has appointed Edouard Bamporiki to lead the secretariat of Unity Club Intwararumuri, while Julienne Uwacu returns to cabinet as Minister of Public Service and Labour in a wider reshuffle affecting diplomatic missions, cultural institutions and state-linked companies.
The appointments were announced by the Office of the Prime Minister on October 27, 2026, alongside changes that include new ambassadors to Sweden and Spain, the establishment of an institution responsible for Itorero and culture, and leadership appointments at the Rwanda Education Board (REB) and Irembo Ltd.
Bamporiki succeeds Uwacu as Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri, while Uwacu replaces Judith Uwizeye at the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) following Uwizeye’s appointment as a senator.
Bamporiki returns to public leadership
Bamporiki’s appointment marks his return to a leadership position after leaving government in 2022 amid a corruption case.
At the time, he was Minister of State in the ministry responsible for youth and culture. In January 2023, he was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rwf30 million. He was released in October 2024 after being granted a presidential pardon.
Before joining cabinet in late 2019, Bamporiki served as a member of parliament representing the RPF-Inkotanyi from 2013 and later became president of the National Itorero Commission in 2017.
His new role involves leading the secretariat of Unity Club Intwararumuri, an organisation established in 1996 by First Lady Jeannette Kagame to promote unity, reconciliation and social welfare among Rwandans.
Uwacu returns to cabinet after eight years
Uwacu previously served as Minister of Sports and Culture from February 2015 until October 2018, when she left cabinet and continued working in institutions focused on national unity and cultural development.
In January 2024, she was appointed Director General in charge of Itorero and culture promotion at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement. She later became Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri, a position she held until her latest appointment.
Her return to cabinet follows the appointment of her predecessor at MIFOTRA, Judith Uwizeye, to the Senate.
New ambassadors appointed
The reshuffle also saw Dr Valentine Uwamariya appointed Rwanda’s ambassador to Sweden. She previously served as a senator and held ministerial positions covering education, environment, and gender and family promotion.
Dr Diane Gashumba, who had been Rwanda’s ambassador to Sweden, was appointed ambassador to Spain, replacing Christine Nkulikiyinka.
Haguma Juan was also appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
New institution to oversee Itorero and culture
The government has established a new institution responsible for Itorero and culture, appointing Dr Nelson Mbarushimana as its coordinating director.
Mbarushimana previously headed the Rwanda Education Board, which oversees the development of basic education.
In other appointments, Dushime Noella was named Chief Executive Officer of Irembo Ltd, the Rwandan technology company operating a platform through which citizens access government services.
Ngarambe Rutagarama was appointed Chief Technology Officer at the company.
