Dr. Frank Habineza, spokesperson for the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations, told IGIHE that Gasamagera was nominated by the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) and was the only candidate.

“Hon. Gasamagera Wellars was nominated by the RPF-Inkotanyi. No other person competed against him. We had agreed that if there was only one candidate, he would be elected unopposed. We all therefore voted for him,” Habineza said.

Habineza explained that after the Forum designated Gasamagera, his file was submitted to the Supreme Court for final approval, as provided for by law.

He described Gasamagera as an experienced public official who has held various senior positions in Rwanda at different times.

Gasamagera recently left his position as Secretary General of the RPF-Inkotanyi, a role he had taken up in early 2023 before stepping down in December 2025.

He has previously served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, as a senator from 2003 to 2011, and as Director General of the Rwanda Management Institute (RMI).

Gasamagera holds a PhD from Monarch Business School in Switzerland and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Quebec in Canada.

Between 1997 and 2001, he served as Prefect of the former Kigali Ngari Prefecture.