Maj Gen Alex Kagame was appointed the new Chief of Staff of the Reserve Force, one of four branches of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), on Monday, October 14.

Kagame replaced Maj Gen (Rtd) Frank Mugambage, who had been serving in the position in acting capacity.

The seasoned military leader takes over command of the Reserve Force, which recently began recruitment under a new structure that defence officials say will further professionalise the RDF.

ALSO READ: Gen Ruvusha assumes command of Rwanda Security Forces in Mozambique

Until August, Gen Kagame was the Joint Task Force Commander of the Rwanda Security Forces (RSF) in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado. There, he was replaced by Maj Gen Emmy Ruvusha.

Gen Alex Kagame first joined the military in 1987.

His military career spans more than 35 years. He was part of the Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army (RPA) which liberated the country in 1994 and stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi.

He has commanded various RDF Divisions. Before assuming command of the Rwandan troops in Mozambique in August 2023, Gen Kagame served as Commander of the RDF Division 3, which cover Western Province.

ALSO READ: Recruitment of reservists to ‘professionalise’ RDF

In February 2016, Alex Kagame was appointed commander of the Republican Guard.

He has also commanded Division 2 (Northern Province) and Division 4 (Southern Province).

Gen Alex Kagame holds a master’s degree in military science obtained from China, where he went on to take a command course.

He also took a military command course coupled courses in international relations in Kenya.