Lt Gen Innocent Kabandana, a senior officer in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) who passed away on September 7, was laid to rest on Friday, September 12, at Kanombe Military Cemetery. He was 59. First Lady Jeannette Kagame was among the mourners who attended the requiem mass for Kabandana held at Regina Pacis Catholic Parish, where family, friends, colleagues, and senior government and military officials gathered to honor the life and service of the late officer, who held various positions in the military. ALSO READ: Lt Gen Kabandana remembered as a patriot, man of integrity Speaking on behalf of the family, Kabandana’s uncle, Antoine Bizumuremyi, thanked the First Lady and President Paul Kagame for their support throughout his nephew’s illness and during the funeral arrangements. “We thank the President of the Republic for all the care and support provided during Gen Kabandana’s journey. We appreciate the parental heart you showed us,” Bizumuremyi said. He also expressed gratitude to the RDF, relatives, and friends who stood with the family. ALSO READ: Who is Maj Gen Kabandana, the man leading Rwandan troops in Mozambique? Kabandana's widow, Sabine, paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, describing him as a man of integrity and courage even during his illness. “Kabandana’s journey over these two years and three months showed that he was a hero, a person of integrity, patient, strong, full of love, and forgiving,” she said, adding that she believes his soul is at peace. She called on Rwandans to honor the country’s leadership, which she credited for standing by the family during the difficult period. ALSO READ: Kagame promotes Innocent Kabandana to Lieutenant-General Lt Gen Kabandana was remembered for his distinguished military career, which included serving as joint task force commander of the Rwandan Security Forces in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province and commander of the RDF Special Forces. He died of natural causes at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital. He is survived by four children and their mother. Patriotic leader Speaking on behalf of President Paul Kagame and Commander-in-Chief of the RDF during the burial ceremony, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, said it was a painful moment for Kabandana’s family, the military, and the nation as a whole. “We reflect on the time we shared with him, his steadfast dedication, notable achievements, and lasting contributions to Rwanda’s liberation struggle and the nation’s security,” Muganga said at the cemetery. He emphasized that as Rwanda mourned the loss of a great leader, it was equally important to honor and celebrate the legacy he left behind, one defined by discipline, courage, and patriotism, which he demonstrated both at home and on international missions. Gen Muganga noted that the strength of the RDF is built on the sacrifice and service of leaders like Kabandana. He reaffirmed the RDF’s commitment to stand by the late general’s family. He will forever be remembered both in our hearts and in the nation’s history, he said. A look back Kabandana's career Kabandana had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General by President Paul Kagame in September 2022, after completing his tour of duty in Mozambique as the joint task force commander of the Rwandan Security Forces. He fought in the liberation war from 1990 to 1994, and was in the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) that stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. His career was marked by combat experience, staff training, and peacekeeping roles at tactical and operational levels. Throughout his career, he held multiple senior military and diplomatic roles, including Defence Attaché in the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, DC, Chief Instructor at Gako Military Academy, Deputy Force Commander with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Chief of Logistics at RDF Headquarters, Commandant of the Rwanda Peace Academy, and Commander of the Special Forces. Kabandana also held a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University, USA.
