Kingston, 15 January 2026

The Government of Jamaica has officially welcomed the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Engineer Contingent deployed to support in the rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by a cyclone in 2025.

The event was held today at the Caribbean Military Academy Headquarters in Kingston and was presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Senator Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith.

Addressing the contingent, Senator Johnson Smith expressed appreciation to the Government of Rwanda, President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda for the deployment of RDF engineers, noting that their expertise will contribute meaningfully to Jamaica’s post-disaster recovery and resilience-building efforts.

Speaking on behalf of the leadership of the Rwanda Defence Force, Col  Claudien Bizimungu expressed Rwanda’s solidarity with the government and the people of Jamaica. He delivered a message from the RDF Leadership, reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to stand with Jamaica during its recovery and rebuilding process.

Col Bizimungu emphasized that the deployment reflects Rwanda’s broader commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian support, highlighting the RDF’s experience in engineering, reconstruction, and community-focused interventions.

Col Moses Kayigamba, the RDF Engineer Contingent Commander, also highlighted that Rwandan engineers will work closely with the Jamaican Defence Forces and other national institutions in rehabilitation initiatives, as part of the agreed framework between the two countries.