Earlier this week, President Paul Kagame dismissed the former Director of Gabiro School of Infantry, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, 57, and other officers from the Rwanda Defence Force. 

No reasons were given for the dismissal.

According to a Friday statement from RDF, President Kagame dismissed Maj Gen Nzaramba alongside Col Etienne Uwimana, a radiologist and head of the Medical Imaging Department at the military hospital in Kanombe, Kigali.

19 other senior and junior officers were also kicked out of RDF.

Kagame also authorised the “dismissal and rescission of contracts of 195 other ranks from RDF.”

The dismissals came just hours after Kagame, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, met with RDF Generals and senior Officers to discuss Rwanda’s peace and security priorities.

Maj Gen Nzaramba was among the top army commanders retired by President Kagame on August 30, 2023.

They included Gen Fred Ibingira, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Eric Murokore, Maj Gen Augustin Turagara, Maj Gen Charles Karamba, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Brig Gen Chris Murari, Brig Gen Didace Ndahiro and Brig Gen Emmanuel Ndahiro.

In 2008, the Military Tribunal dismissed charges of defamation levelled against the then Director of Gabiro School of Infantry, Maj. Gen. Martin Nzaramba, by his wife Capt. (rtd) Doreen Kayitesi due to lack of evidence.

Kayitesi had sought court redress saying her husband had used defamatory language in the divorce trial going on separately at the Gasabo Lower Instance Court, in which the General has petitioned seeking divorce from his wife.