President Paul Kagame has dismissed Maj. Gen. Aloys Muganga and Brig. Gen. Francis Mutiganda from the armed forces.
The dismissals announced on Wednesday morning also affected 130 other unidentified military personnel.
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Rwanda and C-in-C of the RDF has dismissed from RDF Maj Gen Aloys Muganga, Brig Gen Francis Mutiganda along with 14 officers,” the statement from Rwanda’s Defence Ministry reads in part.
“He has also authorized the dismissal of 116 other ranks and approved the rescission of service contracts of 112 other ranks. The dismissals and rescission of service contracts take immediate effect.”
The army did not disclose the reasons for the dismissals.
In 2018, Maj. Gen. Muganga previously served as acting Chief of Staff, RDF Reserve Force, taking over from Gen. Fred Ibingira.
In 2019, Muganga, a 2007 graduate of the United States of America War College (USAWC), was appointed commander of the Mechanised Division.
His other previous postings include Defence Liaison Officer for Rwanda at EAC-Arusha among other RDF command and staff responsibilities.
On October 5, 2018, Brig Gen. Mutiganda was sacked as Director General, External Security, at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and sent back to RDF Headquarters for “further management.”
Since then, Mutiganda has been undeployed.
Mutiganda had taken over the External Security docket from Dan Munyuza in 2012.
Mutiganda is said to have been groomed by the former Inspector General of the RDF, Gen. Jack Nziza.
The development underscores President Kagame’s commitment to transfer such sensitive dockets to the younger generation of commanders who are more loyal and disciplined.
The dismissals come just a day after President Kagame fired the Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Albert Murasira, and replaced him with Juvenal Marizamunda.
Kagame also appointed Lt. Gen. Mubarak Muganga as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura.
Former Head of Defence Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi, was appointed Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) while Col Godfrey Gasana, Deputy Air Force Chief of Staff, was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.
The changes also come at a time when Rwanda is strengthening its military command structures amid rising security tensions with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.