KIGALI - The newly appointed Ministers yesterday took oath at the Parliamentary buildings in a ceremony officiated by President Paul Kagame.

In his address, President Kagame congratulated the newly appointed Ministers and reminded them that their new task calls for extra effort, if they are to live up to the expectations of the Rwandan people and the country.

The Head of State noted that while the swearing-in ceremony signifies the change of faces, the challenges and objectives remain the same.

He said that those that were replaced by the new ministers had been posted somewhere else to perform equally demanding duties.

Kagame pointed out that if the new ministers fulfil their duties, the gain would be for the country in general.

He reminded the ministers that if they perform well, it will be to the benefit of the Rwandan people but if they don’t, it is the Rwandans who incur the losses.

He, however, added that he was optimistic that the new appointees will, without any doubt, deliver since, it is the good performance in their previous positions that has seen them elevated to new offices.

The President drew laughter from the audience when he said that unlike elsewhere in the world, in Rwanda, the more leaders advance in age, the harder they are expected to work.

He noted that given Rwanda’s history and Vision, being appointed a Minister requires additional sacrifice and extra commitment than in any other country.

Earlier, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, the new Minister of Health was the first to take oath followed by Aloysia Inyumba, the new Minister in the Prime Minister’s office in charge of Gender and Family Promotion.

Francois Kanimba, the Minister of Trade and Industry was then sworn in followed by Pierre Damien Habumuremyi who now heads the Ministry of Education and Albert Nsengiyumva, the new Minister of Infrastructure.

Next in the queue was Venantia Tugireyezu, the new Minister in the Presidents Office followed by Christine Nyatanyi, the Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs and Community Development, who was appointed in the new cabinet but had not taken oath.

Dr. Alex Nzahabwanimana, the new State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure in charge of Transport was appointed and sworn-in the same day.

Ends