The nineteenth intake of the junior command and staff course graduated from the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District on Friday, October 14.

In a colourful event, the 36 RDF officers of the ranks of major and captain alongside two officers of the Rwanda National Police were bestowed with the new credentials after completing a 20-week course.

The training, which started in May this year, has equipped the security officers with new capacities to perform staff and command duties.

As he officiated the graduation ceremony, the RDF Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga, urged the officers to take on the challenge of building a professional defence force and a country everyone deserves.

"The course has given you the basics in military knowledge, competencies in operations, national security interests, and the changing security environment. But the reality is that there will be many gaps to fill because the scope and requirements of military operations continue to expand,” Gen. Muganga said.

"I am confident that the completion of this course has equipped each of you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to be forward-looking leaders. Therefore, I have no doubt that each of you, officers graduating today, comes as timely reinforcement.”

The graduation ceremony was also attended by the families of the officers.

In his speech during the ceremony, Deputy Commandant of the RDF Command and Staff College, Col. Jean Chrysostome Ngendahimana expressed his gratitude to the families’ support for the graduating officers.

The officers said the course expanded their horizons in terms of staff and command duties.

While speaking to the media, Capt. Laurence Nishimwe said: "The course was very important and will enable us to perform both staff officer and commander duties. I feel I can be versatile in each and every military position.”