57 RDF officers re-deployed

The military has deployed, transferred and appointed into senior and middle-level positions a total of 57 officers, the highest ranking being Brig. Gen. Frank Rusagara.

“What happened on March 5 is not a reshuffle as you put it, but rather the RDF headquarters made some transfers, deployments, RTU (Return to Unit) as well as new appointments and that has affected fifty-seven commissioned officers,” RDF Spokeman Maj. Jill Rutaremara said yesterday.

He said those affected include Brigadier General Rusagara, four Colonels, five Lieutenant Colonels, 28 Majors, 15 Captains and four Lieutenants.

Rutaremara said Brig. Gen. Rusagara was appointed as the Head of Information, Documentation and Military History, a new portfolio he said was created under the military structures. He said Rusagara will be based at the RDF headquarters in Kimihurura, Kigali.

Rusagara was the commandant of Rwanda Military Academy (RMA) Nyakinama until last August when he was arrested alongside former army chief commander Brig. Gen. Sam Kanyemera Kaka for allegedly obstructing justice, but both officers were acquitted by the Military Tribunal, the following month.

Since then, he had never been redeployed with his former deputy at RMA Nyakinama, Col. Aloyse Muganga, acting in the capacity of the academy commandant.

Muganga was also confirmed last week as the commandant of RMA Nyakinama, Rutaremara said.

The other Colonels that were redeployed in the latest reshuffle include Emmanuel Ruvusha, who was made the Deputy Brigade Commander of 201 Brigade based in Karongi, Western Province; and Jean Damascene Sekamana, who became the Deputy Brigade Commander of 411 Brigade in Nyamagabe, Southern Province.

Also redeployed is Col. Ephraim Rurangwa, who has been made the Deputy Commandant of RMA Nyakinama.

Rurangwa is a former deputy commander of the African Union Mission in Sudan’s Darfur region. Lt. Col. Laurien Nkuriye has been appointed as the Deputy Commandant of Gabiro School of Infantry.

Rutaremara said most of the other officers were deployed as battalion commanding officers (COs). “Many will be serving capacities in formations, units and at the RDF headquarters.”

He said some of those officers have been on study tour and “peace missions abroad or not deployed for one reason or another.”

{courtesy: www.newstimes.co.rw on Thursday, 13th March 2008}