Generals Bayingana, Gatama among hundreds retired from RDF
The Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) Friday held its fourteenth send-off ceremony for hundreds of army personnel, including three Generals and 74 Senior Oficers whose retirement from the army was recently approved by President Paul Kagame.
The event at the RDF headquarters in Kimihurura honored military personnel who have reached retirement age and those whose service contracts have come to an end.
Among the personnel whose retirement was approved by President Kagame are Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bayingana, Maj.Gen. Vincent Gatama and Brig.Gen. Albert Rugambwa.
According to a statement by the Defense Ministry, the list of reterees also includes 78 junior officers and 1288 others ranks.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Defense, Juvenal Marizamunda, on behalf of President Kagame, Commander-in-Chief of the RDF.
Speaking at the event, Marizamunda expressed gratitude to the retirees for their dedicated service to the nation, according to a statement.
He commended their role in the liberation struggle, stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi, and rebuilding the country.
He also praised their contribution in transforming the RDF into a strong, professional, and internationally respected force through peacekeeping operations and bilateral missions, noting that their work has left a lasting legacy.
The event was attended by the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh, Service Chiefs, Generals, Senior Officers, and families of the retirees.
The minister thanked the spouses of the retirees for their unwavering support, acknowledging the sacrifices they made in keeping families together during periods of deployment.
Gen MK Mubarakh, on his part congratulated the retirees for the patriotism, discipline, and professionalism they demonstrated throughout their careers.
He thanked the group for mentoring younger soldiers and instilling in them the core values of the RDF, which he said have prepared the next generation to safeguard the nation.
He emphasized that the RDF and the country will continue to benefit from the retirees’ experience, wisdom, and counsel.
On behalf of the retirees, Maj Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Bayingana expressed pride in the remarkable progress of the Rwanda Defense Force, affirming that although they were leaving active service, they will continue to uphold RDF values of patriotism, discipline, and selfless service.
