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By: Robert Patrick Fati Gakwerere
A discernible and accelerating purge within the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has seen the continued sidelining of Uganda-born generals, as the military’s strategic command structure is gradually being handed over to officers loyal to First Lady Jeannette Kagame, many of whom were born in Burundi. This trend reflects a broader consolidation of power meant for the succession process, aligning the military even more closely with the political ambitions of Rwanda’s ruling family, more especially Jeannette Kagame and daughter, Ange Kagame.
Among the most recent callous retirement are several high-ranking commanders: Major General Wilson Gumisiriza, commander of the Mechanised Infantry Division; Major General Andrew Kagame, who led the 1st Division; Brigadier General James Ruzibiza, Chief of J9 (Personnel and Welfare); Brigadier General Frank Mutembe, Commander of the Task Force Division; and Brigadier General Pascal Muhizi, commander of the 2nd Division. In total, nine generals have been quietly retired, removed under the guise of standard retirement procedures but with unmistakable political undertones.
This strategic cleansing reflects a calculated dismantling of the historical military elite, especially those with roots in the National Resistance Army (NRA) in Uganda and Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) that was also established in Uganda. Many of the purged generals were veterans of the liberation struggles and held key institutional knowledge built over decades. Their removal signals the regime’s intent to erase the influence of the old guard in favour of a new cohort bound not by legacy or merit, but by loyalty to Jeannette Kagame and her daughter, Ange Kagame.
Among the nine generals who were strategically retired, two are Burundi-born Rwandans, Brigadier General Fred Muziraguharara and Brigadier General Jean-Paul Karangwa, a highly disciplined military officer. According to sources, Jean-Paul Karangwa, despite his professionalism, was retired due to his past working relationship with the controversial General James Kabarebe. However, Karangwa is financially secure, having served on several UN assignments and deployments.
Brig Gen Fred Muziraguharara, known for his rumourmongering and intrigue, was dismissed for his treacherous role in orchestrating the removal of General Jean Bosco Kazura from his position as Chief of Defence Staff, and his role in the collapse of RDF’s investment arm, Horizon Group. Within the ranks of Burundi-born officers in Rwanda’s security services, betraying each other is not tolerated. Muziraguharara’s actions were seen as a serious breach of trust by Burundi-born boys within the RDF, and this has been a payback, removal of a kawukumi (Jigger) within their circle. It is also reported that he is currently battling a serious illness.
In total, Criminal Paul Kagame has now removed 120 senior officers, 26 junior officers, and 927 other ranks from the RDF. These soldiers were reportedly informed of their retirement on the evening of Sunday, 27th July 2025, with the official retirement ceremony held the following evening, 28th July 2025.
The implications are profound. The systematic exclusion of Uganda-born officers threatens the cohesion and morale of the military. It fosters silent resentment among those who feel discarded despite their long-standing service, while also eroding the RDF’s historical unity and comradeship. What was once a disciplined force rooted in shared sacrifice is increasingly becoming a politically manipulated militia serving personal power consolidation and succession strategies.
Jeannette Kagame’s expanding influence is now unmistakably visible in the military’s organisational structure. Her loyalists, primarily Burundi-born Rwandans and, to a lesser extent, those born in DRC, now dominate all key positions; from strategic weapons and armoury control, military intelligence, special forces, and the presidential guard, to land force command and the artillery division. Jeannette Kagame is now targeting regional division command roles and the mechanised infantry, which are among the last remaining command domains held by Uganda-born officers.
According to very credible sources, Jeannette Kagame wanted Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito, of the 3rd Division, also gone because the commander of the 3rd Division is literally in charge of RDF forces in North Kivu, and Jeannette Kagame doesn’t trust this huge force to remain under Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito, a Uganda-born Rwandan. On 17th March 2025, the EU sanctioned RDF’s 3rd Division Commander, Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito, for his human rights atrocities and warmongering in DRC.
This ongoing reconfiguration of the RDF is ultimately part of a larger succession blueprint. As Criminal Paul Kagame’s health reportedly deteriorates, his long-term vision appears to be a military loyal to his family, one that will shield his wife and daughter should they assume the presidency in the future.
Whether oppressed Rwandans will accept the continuation of Kagame’s authoritarian rule post his era remains uncertain. But one thing is clear, the future will be the ultimate judge.
