President Paul Kagame has announced a series of high-level appointments across government institutions, including the elevation of Yves Iradukunda to State Minister in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT).
The changes were confirmed on September 18, 2025, in a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister. Iradukunda, who has served as Permanent Secretary at MINICT since 2020, becomes the first State Minister to be appointed to the ministry.
Before joining government, he worked as Country Director of the Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy and as Senior Director at MASS Design Group. He also co-founded ELERwanda, a youth entrepreneurship initiative, and Academic Bridge Ltd., a software development firm.
His academic qualifications include an MBA from the African Leadership University School of Business, a diploma in Public Service Innovation from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School, and a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Oklahoma Christian University.
The reshuffle also brought changes in the Office of the President. Dieudonné Gatete was appointed Director General, moving from the National Intelligence and Security Service where he served as a liaison officer in the Eastern Africa region.
Viviane Mukakizima, formerly Director General of Communications, was promoted to Deputy Director General of Cabinet at the OTP. Ambassador Claude Nikobisanzwe, a career diplomat who previously served as High Commissioner to Mozambique and as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was named Chief of State Protocol, replacing Ambassador Moses Rugema.
Rugema was reassigned as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, reflecting Kigali’s intention to deepen its diplomatic engagement with West Africa.
In the Office of the Prime Minister, Leonard Minega Rugwabiza was appointed Director General in charge of coordinating government programmes. Rugwabiza previously served as Senior Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
At the Ministry of Infrastructure, Canoth Manishimwe was named Permanent Secretary after serving as Director General of Corporate Services in the same institution. Clement Kabiligi became Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, moving from his previous role in knowledge development and research at the Imbuto Foundation.
Eraste Rurangwa, who had been Acting Head of the Data Protection Office at the National Cyber Security Authority, replaced Iradukunda as Permanent Secretary in MINICT.
Other institutions also received new leadership. Thaddée Tuyizere was appointed Vice President of the National Commission for Human Rights. Jimmy Christian Byukusenge became Director General of the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority, while Colonel Claude Nkusi was named Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority.
According to the statement, the appointments were made in line with Articles 111, 112, and 116 of the Constitution, which grant the President authority to appoint senior officials.
The new changes highlight President Kagame’s drive to reinforce leadership across ministries and agencies, with a mix of experienced technocrats, diplomats, and younger leaders entrusted to carry forward Rwanda’s national development agenda.
