Rwanda’s new Prime Minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, was officially sworn in on Friday, July 25, during a ceremony presided over by President Paul Kagame at Parliament.
The swearing-in came two days after his appointment, replacing Dr. Edouard Ngirente, who had served as Prime Minister since 2017.
In his oath of office, Nsengiyumva pledged loyalty to the Republic and vowed to uphold the Constitution and laws of the country.
“I swear to remain loyal to the Republic of Rwanda, to abide by the Constitution and other laws, and to strive to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to me,” he declared.
Delivering his first public remarks as Prime Minister, Nsengiyumva expressed gratitude to President Kagame and committed to placing citizens at the center of government policy.
“I understand the weight of the responsibilities before me and their impact on improving the lives of citizens,” he said. “This trust from the President will not be based on empty promises.”
He emphasized that his leadership will prioritize the welfare of Rwandans.
“My main focus will be on addressing citizens’ concerns. I will work hand-in-hand with all institutions to ensure that no Rwandan is left behind,” he affirmed.
Nsengiyumva also paid tribute to his predecessors and pledged to build on the foundations they laid to accelerate development.
His swearing-in came alongside the appointment of a slightly reshuffled Cabinet, which introduced four new ministers, including Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye as Minister of Environment, Dominique Habimana as Minister of Local Government, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye as Minister of State for Infrastructure, and Telesphore Ndabamenye as Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Nsengiyumva briefly served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda. His professional background spans more than 20 years in both Rwanda and the United Kingdom, with key roles in economic policy, public sector reform, and international development.
He previously served as Permanent Secretary in the ministries of Trade and Industry, and later, Education—where he helped lead Rwanda’s transition to English as the language of instruction. In the UK, he worked as a senior economist and policy advisor in public institutions and non-profits.
Nsengiyumva holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester, and has served on boards of national institutions including RwandAir and the Rwanda Revenue Authority.
Prince Ruzigana / The Kaminuza Star