In a ceremony marked by pride and purpose, 108 senior military officers from Rwanda and 19 allied countries graduated from the 13th intake of the Senior Command and Staff Course at the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District, on June 16, 2025.
Presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, the event was a celebration of continental cooperation, military excellence, and the shared pursuit of peace and security.
Of the graduating officers, 82 were Rwandan, drawn from the Rwanda Defence Force, the Rwanda National Police, and the Rwanda Correctional Service. They were joined by 26 counterparts from across Africa and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
For nearly a year, the officers engaged in a 47-week intensive program designed to build command and leadership capacity in complex security environments.
The Prime Minister commended the graduates for their commitment and urged them to carry the values of integrity, service, and ethical leadership into the next phase of their careers.
“This is not just a personal achievement. It’s a critical investment in national and international security,” he said, emphasizing the evolving demands of global leadership.
“As you take on future responsibilities, always remember that leadership is not about authority, but about service, to your country and its people. Transformational decisions require commitment, teamwork, and national dedication. Your leadership can shape the future of our armies, Africa, and the world,” he added.
Brig. Gen. Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the College, highlighted how the program was tailored to develop professional excellence in modern warfare, emphasizing joint operations, multinational collaboration, and strategic decision-making.
“This journey has not only sharpened the analytical and leadership skills of our officers,” he noted, “but has also instilled the ethos of professionalism and strategic thinking necessary for modern warfare.”
The graduates were awarded the Passed Staff College emblem and certification. In addition, 73 of them obtained a Master of Arts in Security Studies, awarded by the University of Rwanda.
Assoc. Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga, the University’s Vice Chancellor, spoke on the connection between peace, security, and sustainable development, urging graduates to become active contributors to regional stability. “Peace and security are the backbone of development,” he said.
The course curriculum also incorporated a digital literacy component, requiring all officers to complete a two-week International Computer Driving License (ICDL) module. This was aligned with the growing need for technological proficiency in modern command environments.
Since its inception, the RDF Command and Staff College has graduated 563 officers, including 143 from partner nations.
Brig. Gen. Nyamvumba emphasized that the diversity of backgrounds has enriched the learning environment, strengthening regional military ties and fostering a culture of shared responsibility in addressing today’s security challenges.
The ceremony concluded with a recognition of outstanding performance. Col. Dr. Dan Gatsinzi of the Rwanda Defence Force was honored as the best-performing officer in the cohort.
With growing interest from across the continent and a rising number of intakes, plans are underway to upgrade the college’s infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for strategic military leadership development.
As the new graduates return to their respective forces, the message was clearly sent that excellence in command begins with character, and service to one’s country must always be guided by professionalism, discipline, and vision.
