Kagame honors top-performing senior officers at Nyakinama military graduation

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

President Paul Kagame has awarded top honors to three outstanding graduates of a senior officers’ course completed by 108 military officers from 20 countries at the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District.

The 46-week programme brought together senior officers from Rwanda, Africa and other partner countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Senegal, Zambia and Jordan, among others.

Among the awardees were officers from Ghana and Kenya, as well as Lt Col Walter Kageruka of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), who emerged as the overall best performer.

President Kagame said the credibility and trust enjoyed by the RDF from citizens and international partners has been built over time through discipline, professionalism and dedicated service, urging graduates to uphold those standards in their future responsibilities.

He congratulated the officers for completing the programme, noting that they entered the course as experienced professionals but are leaving with strengthened leadership capacity and greater responsibility.

Kagame said the training was designed to sharpen the officers’ ability to respond to complex and evolving security challenges, emphasizing that effective leadership requires sound judgment, discipline and continuous learning.

He stressed that while military education strengthens analytical capacity, leadership is ultimately shaped by experience, humility and the willingness to learn from mistakes.

The President also underscored the importance of clear purpose in leadership, saying it is essential in guiding decisions that align with national priorities, including protecting citizens, safeguarding sovereignty and promoting development.

He noted that leadership is not defined only by rank or position, but by how responsibilities are exercised, adding that decisions made by officers will influence institutional culture and performance.

Kagame further observed that modern military institutions are increasingly shaped by technology and complexity, which require adaptable, responsible and forward-looking leadership.

He urged the graduates to uphold integrity, continue professional development and contribute to strengthening professionalism within their respective armed forces.

The Rector of the University of Rwanda, Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga, who conferred the awards, called on the officers to apply the skills acquired to address security and governance challenges and promote peace and development.

The Commandant of the RDF Command and Staff College, Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, said the programme equips senior officers with the capacity to effectively execute their duties and contribute to regional and international security cooperation.

He encouraged the graduates to act as agents of positive change in leadership, mentor others and support peace and stability efforts in their respective countries, while commending continued cooperation between Rwanda and partner nations sending officers for training in Rwanda.