KIMIHURURA - Cabinet reshuffles do not necessarily take place because ministers have failed to deliver in their respective jobs, Prime Minister Bernard Makuza has said.

Speaking to The New Times shortly after the swearing in of five new cabinet ministers at Parliamentary Buildings, Kimihurura, on Tuesday, Makuza said that the seven ministers who were relieved of their cabinet duties had not necessarily failed in their assignments.

"It is at the discretion of the President to appoint a Rwandan, whether from within or without the country,

to a position he deems they will better serve their nation. But that does not in any way necessarily mean that those who have been relieved of their duties are incompetent, but rather it could be that he has seen more potential in them to serve in other capacities," Makuza said.

In a reshuffle announced last Friday President Paul Kagame dropped seven ministers – three full ministers and four state ministers –, promoted three state ministers (all women) to full ministers and shuffled most of other cabinet members to different portfolios.

He also scrapped five state ministries and formed three full ministries, notably Cabinet Affairs, East African Community and the Youth ministry, which was peeled off the former Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports (now Ministry of Sports and Culture).

The changes saw the number of full cabinet portfolios increase from 19 up to 22; while the number of state ministers was slashed from eleven down to six.

Among the dropped ministers were Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, who was replaced by Anastase Murekezi (formerly Minister of Agriculture) as the Minister for Public Service, Skills Development and Labour; and Prof. Laurent Nkusi, who was succeeded by new entrant Louise Mushikiwabo as the Minister of Information in Office of the Prime Minister.

Another full minister sacked was Valérie Nyirahabineza, who was replaced by former Education Minister Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, as the Minister of Gender in the Prime Minister’s office.

The state ministers who were left out in the new lineup were Joseph Murekeraho (Primary and Secondary Education), whose position was taken over by Theoneste Mutsindashyaka, until last Friday the Governor of the Eastern Province; and Dr Innocent Nyaruhirira (HIV/Aids and other Infectious Diseases), Patricia Hajabakiga (Land and Environment) and Angelina Muganza (Skills Development and Labour) whose portfolios were chopped off the cabinet list.

All the dropped ministers witnessed the newly appointed cabinet members sworn-in on Tuesday, and some were seen cheering on during the ceremony.

The shakeup, which saw the number of ministers cut down from 30 to 28, was anticipated by many especially after several ministers were rocked by allegations of incompetence.

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