The government has appointed former cabinet minister Amb. Dr Charles Murigande the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement at the University of Rwanda (UR), and recalled Amb. Eugène-Richard Gasana from New York, where he has been serving as Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The changes are among the key decisions from yesterday’s cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.

Murigande has most recently served as the country’s ambassador to Japan, while he has also previously held various cabinet portfolios, including transport and communication, foreign affairs, and education.

He has also previously served as the rector of the former National University of Rwanda, which later merged with six other public varsities to form the current University of Rwanda.

Gasana has also been serving as the country’s State Minister for Cooperation and by being recalled he loses this position as well.

Other major decisions include the appointment of Jean Claude Kayisinga, the former Deputy CEO at National Agricultural Export Development Board, to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. 

Also appointed is Apollo Munanura, formerly head of Human Capital and Institutional Development Department at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), who becomes the Director General of Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA), replacing Damien Mugabo.

Among the resolutions is the approval of the establishment of Rwanda Investigation Bureau and Rwanda Law Enforcement Academy.

The cabinet meeting also approved the adjustment of Index Value to 350 and 400 for High Institutions, Ministries and Public Agencies that were below 400 Index and related Draft Legal Instruments, which will see some public servants’ salaries increased.

Among the approved national events include the 9th Unity and Reconciliation Week, which will take place from October 1-7, 2016 under the theme of "Upholding the Rwandan Spirit by Safeguarding Achievements”.

The cabinet noted that the country will celebrate the Cooperatives Day on August 12 2016 under the theme of "Co-operatives: The power to act for a sustainable future” while the International Youth Day will be celebrated on August 12, 2016 under the theme of "Quality Work in ICT”.

It was also noted that the 12th annual "Kwita Izina” ceremony (gorilla-naming fete) will take place on September 2, 2016 during which 22 baby gorillas will be named.

Click here for full statement from the Cabinet Meeting.

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