The newly commissioned officer cadets during a parade at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako on Monday, April 15. All photos by Dan Gatsinzi
President Paul Kagame on Monday, April 15 commissioned 624 officers who graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.
The new RDF officers of the 11th intake of Officer Basic Training include 51 women.
In his remarks, President Kagame told the new officers that their responsibilities go beyond fighting wars on battlefields, to building the nation and protecting the progress achieved.
The academy offers seven programmes including General Medicine, Engineering, Social and Military Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.
The New Times' photographer Dan Gatsinzi captured the major highlights of the event.
Senior RDF officers and other guests, who included military attaches, arrive at the Rwanda Military Academy-Gako, Bugesera District ahead of the ceremony.
Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation and former RDF Chief of Defence Staff (in suit), and senior military officers at the ceremony.
Senior RDF officers arrive at the Rwanda Military Academy-Gako ahead of the ceremony on Monday.
Tha Rwanda national flag flew high amid proceedings.
Lt. Col. Simon Kabera, RDF Deputy spokesperson, looks on at the event.
Senior officials share a light moment at the event.
President Paul Kagame, along with Gen Mubarakh Muganga, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff; and Brig Gen Franco Rutagengwa, Deputy Commandant, Rwanda Military Academy-Gako (right), at the commissioning of the 11th intake of Officer Basic Training.
The ceremony attracted senior military officers, government officials, parents, among others.
It was a colourful ceremony, complete with performances from the military band and the parade of flags.
The colourful event took place in Bugesera District.
The Military Band perfoms during a parade.
A military parade at the RDF ceremony.
The officers were given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant as they joined the Rwanda Defence Force.
The 624 officer cadets graduated with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
A parade of the new commissioned RDF officers.
The 624 officer cadets graduated with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.
RDF personnel during the occassion.
A parade of the newly commissioned officers during the ceremony at Rwanda Military Academy-Gako.
A parade of the new RDF officers during the ceremony on Monday, April 15
Some of the new officers completed a one-year cadet course, while others attended a long-term training at the military academy, which offers seven programmes, including General Medicine, Engineering, Social and Military Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.
The graduation ceremony took place on Monday, April 15 at Rwanda Military Academ-Gako, Bugesera District.
The new RDF officers, include 33 who underwent training in partner countries.
The new RDF officers, include 51 women.
The newly commissioned officers include 33 who attended military training in other countries.
A parade at the event held at the Rwanda Military Academy-Gako in Bugesera.
President Paul Kagame said RDF troops have a duty that goes beyond fighting wars, adding that Rwanda does not wage wars.
The officers also include 102 who pursued long-term studies including in the disciplines of Medicine, IT, Social Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, Biology and Chemistry, Law, as well as Mechanical Engineering.
The graduation took place at Rwanda Military Academy-Gako on Monday, April 15
A parade of the new RDF officers.
President Kagame officiated at the commissioning of the new RDF officers at Rwanda Military Academy-Gako in Bugesera District on Monday, April 15. Photo by Village Urugwiro.
The new military officers help one another to wear their pips shortly before taking their commissioning oath.
Some of the newly commissioned RDF female officers during a parade at the pass-out ceremony.
The new officers mounted a military parade, while they also engaged in morale-boosting sessions.
The RDF officers of the 11th intake of Officer Basic Training, include 573 male and 51 women.
President Kagame, the Commander-In-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, delivers his remarks at the ceremony.
President Kagame in a group photo with some of the new RDF officers.
MILESTONE: It was all smiles as the young officers reached the climax of their military training and officially joined the Rwanda Defence Force on Monday.
MORALE MOMENT: Some of the 624officer cadets sing a morale-boosting patriotic song on completion of their military training at Gako, Bugesera District, onMonday, April 15.
One of the new RDF officers is heartily congratulated by a loved one at the ceremony in Bugesera District.