President Paul Kagame has assured new Sports and Culture minister Julienne Uwacu and her replacement in the Lower Chamber of Parliament, Thacienne Mukandamage, of support from the entire government to enable them deliver in their new roles.

The President, who was yesterday officiating at the swearing in ceremony of Minister Uwacu and MP Mukandamage in Parliament, urged the two officials to always serve the interest of Rwandan people.

Uwacu replaced Joseph Habineza as head of the Sports and Culture docket in changes made late last month.

Prior to being appointed minister, Uwacu was a Member of Parliament.

After swearing in, Uwacu told journalists that she intends to promote the country’s culture and nurture talent in young Rwandans.

"A country without culture extinguishes,” she said. "There are a lot of good things that have been done but there is also a lot that needs to be done.”

One of Uwacu’s major assignment is organising the fourth edition of the African Nations Championship (Chan) which will take place in Rwanda next year.

"We can win Chan and go on to qualify for the African Cup of Nations finals in 2017. We need to prepare ourselves as early as possible,” she said.

Uwacu told journalists yesterday that she is determined to groom local talent and discourage the use of foreign players on national teams.

The minister also committed to professionalising the various sports disciplines in the country and encouraging women as well to take part.

The appointment of Uwacu brings the percentage of women in Cabinet to 40 per cent up from 36 per cent.

MP Mukandamage is a former secondary school teacher in Rubirizi, Kigali.

More about Julienne Uwacu, first female Minister of Sports and Culture.