Rwanda Defence Force Judges and registrars swear in

Kigali, 27 February 2019

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente on Wednesday officiated the swearing in ceremony of the Vice-President and one Judge from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Military High Court. During the ceremony he urged the new judges to strive to use professionalism in their daily work with total integrity in providing good services. quick delivery of justice.

Present in the ceremony were; the Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) Land Forces, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli and the Reserve Force Chief of Staff (RFCOS), Maj Gen Aloys Muganga and other Generals from RDF HQs.

Lt Col Bernard Rugamba Hategikimana had sworn-in as the Vice-President of the Military High Court while Lt Col Innocent Nkubana had sworn-in as the Judge in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Military High Court.

In his remarks during the ceremony held at the PM’s office in Kimihurura, Honourable Ngirente commended the good service RDF is providing always by recalling the new judges that it is not a new job for them. “You were judges before you were appointed in the Military High Court. What you are going to do is not new for you. What the government requires from you is to add more effort in delivering good services, to uphold professionalism in what you are doing and we know that you need some trainings which will enable you to perform well and this is what RDF is showcasing always”, said Honourable Ngirente.

On the same day in morning hours, the Honorable Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira had officiated the swearing in of two Court Registrars, Lt Moses Ndoba and S/Sgt Bihezande Bernardin Magnus at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters.

In his remarks, the Rwandan Minister of Defence wished the new Military Tribunal Court Registrars good work and urged them to uphold professionalism. “If you are good registrars you need to be vigilant and uphold your integrity, we believe in you this is because you have sworn in today”, the Minister told them.

The Judges of the Military High Court were approved by the extraordinary cabinet meeting held on 21 January 2019.

The Military Courts are part of the Military Justice System that comprises of the Military Tribunal, which tries all offenses committed by military personnel irrespective of their rank and Military High Court that tries all offences which constitute a threat to national security and murder committed by soldiers irrespective of rank.