Several once powerful politicians have fallen off the radar, leading to questions as to their whereabouts or what they are up to. A number of them were dropped from the government or army positions, while others ended their mandates and are yet to be re-appointed.

In this first part of a series, Rwanda Today set out to find some of these individuals who are no longer in the news as the political landscape continues to evolve.
Protais Mitali

The former Minister of Sports and Culture and head of the Liberal Party (PL) went into exile in March 2015 after abandoning his ambassadorial post in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mr Mitali, 53, who was replaced as head of the party last weekend, has never made any public statement, political or otherwise, after fleeing to Europe.

In July last year, Interpol issued a red alert for Mr Mitali, indicating that he is wanted for embezzlement of funds and theft. However, the politician has not responded to the accusation levelled against him by his party. His whereabouts remain a mystery.

Over the weekend, the party members elected Donatille Mukabalisa, the Speaker of parliament, to replace Mr Mitali as party leader.

Joseph Habineza

Also known as the proverbial cat with nine lives, has failed to bounce back from political oblivion since February 2015 leading many to think that he exhausted the nine lives.

Mr Habineza, who was the Minister of Sports and Culture, was replaced by Julienne Uwacu in a mini reshuffle barely a year after his re-appointment to the docket which he previously headed.

He had been Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria. His short-lived reappointment to MINISPOC had been welcomed by many and his sacking after an alleged scandal later sent tongues wagging.

Mr Habineza is occasionally seen jogging in the morning and afternoons in the streets of Kigali.

Dr Charles Murigande

One of the most seasoned and senior politicians in Rwanda, Dr Charles Murigande has been off the political scene since March 2015, after he was recalled as Rwanda’s ambassador to Japan.

Dr Murigande, who has served in many positions, is said to be in “forced retirement” after a Japanese investor alleged that he had been frustrated by the ambassador is his quest to invest in Rwanda.

Dr Murigande had to apologise before all and sundry during the 2015 National Leadership Retreat (Umwiherero). The incident marked his journey into political oblivion.

He had previously served as the Rector of the National University of Rwanda (NUR), Minister of Education and Minister for Foreign Affairs from November 2002, at the time when Rwanda was in the spotlight for its involvement in DR Congo wars.

Oda Gasinzigwa

Until March this year, Oda Gasinzigwa was the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, a position she had occupied since February 2013. It is not clear why she was dismissed but sources indicated that there were concerns over the growing number of street children in Kigali.

During Umwiherero, sources indicated that Ms Gasinzigwa was directly faulted.

Ms Gasinzigwa, previously headed the Gender Monitoring Office.

As the head of the women’s wing in Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) — Inkotanyi, Ms Gasinzigwa is famously remembered for accusing several women cadres in RPF of creating a clique within the RPF, during a party congress in September 2014.

The women cadres, who included Lt. Col (Rtd) Rose Kabuye, Mary Baine, ambassador Joy Mukanyange, Anne Gahongayire, Emma Camarade and ambassador Immaculée Uwanyirigira among others, were condemned during the meeting.

Mary Gahonzire

At the end of March this year, Mary Gahonzire was dropped as the Deputy Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) along with the then Commissioner General, Gen Paul Rwarakabije.

There was no immediate reason given for relieving the duo of their duties. However, later in June, it emerged that Ms Gahonzire had returned to Rwanda National Police (RNP), where she had served as Commissioner General of Police, while Gen Rwarakabije retired from the army at the same time.

It is not clear what her exact position at RNP was but she is designated as a Deputy Commissioner General of Police. Efforts to get a comment from police were futile.

Ms Gahonzire was seen in the front row as RNP marked its 16th anniversary, donning the navy blue police colours, as opposed to the brown fatigues worn by the Prisons' officers. On August 3, 2016, Ms Gahonzire was among the over 300 officers that officially retired from the police. 

Prof Silas Lwakabamba

In June 2015, Prof Silas Lwakabamba was dropped from the Education docket and was replaced by Dr Papius Malimba Musafiri.

The former Rector of the National University of Rwanda had occupied two ministerial dockets, infrastructure and education, in less than three years.

Prof Lwakabamba seemingly struggled in political appointments and a couple of months after his dropping from Cabinet, the 69-year old found his way back into academics, albeit to a less prestigious offer. In October 2015, Prof Lwakabamba was appointed to head the Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK), where he remains to date.

Rose and David Kabuye

Lt Col (Rtd) Rose Kabuye and Capt (Rtd) David Kabuye were both prominent personalities in the RPF government but they have since fallen out of favour.

Lt Col Kabuye has not held any government position since 2010 after she was dropped from the position of Director of State Protocol. Apart from the September 2014 accusations levelled against her by Oda Gasinzigwa, she has kept a low profile and is reportedly engaged in business-related activities.

Her husband Capt David however was in the news following his 2014 arrest and subsequent charges of illegal gun possession and uttering statements tantamount to inciting masses. He was however cleared by court in December 2015 and a few days later agreed to testify against Brig Gen (Rtd) Frank Rusagara.

Following his release, Capt Kabuye has kept a low profile.