The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on Friday, July 10, honoured three retiring generals – Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana, Maj Gen Vincent Gatama, and Brig Gen Albert Rugambwa – during its 14th send-off ceremony held at RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the event, which was held to honour military personnel who have reached retirement age and those whose service contracts have come to an end, was presided over by the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, on behalf of President Paul Kagame, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force. It was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Service Chiefs, Generals, senior officers, and families of the retirees.

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Speaking on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, Marizamunda expressed gratitude to the retirees for their "dedicated service to the nation.” He commended their role in the liberation struggle, stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and rebuilding the country.

A statement from the ministry indicates that he also praised their contribution to transforming the RDF into a strong, professional, and internationally respected force through peacekeeping operations and bilateral missions, noting that their work has left a lasting legacy. The Minister further thanked the spouses of the retirees for their unwavering support, acknowledging the sacrifices they made to keep their families together during periods of deployment.

Gen Muganga as well congratulated the retirees "on the patriotism, discipline, and professionalism they demonstrated throughout their careers.”

The Chief of Defence Staff thanked them for mentoring younger soldiers and instilling in them the core values of the RDF, which have prepared the next generation to safeguard the nation. He emphasized that the RDF and the country will continue to benefit from the retirees' experience, wisdom, and counsel.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Maj Gen (Rtd) Bayingana expressed pride in RDF’s remarkable progress and thanked President Kagame "for his visionary leadership in building a strong and united RDF family.”

Bayingana affirmed that although they are leaving active service, they will continue to uphold the RDF's values of patriotism, discipline, and selfless service, and pledged to continue contributing to Rwanda's development and prosperity.