The decision was announced in a statement issued by the RDF on Saturday, July 11, 2026, which indicated that those retiring include three generals, 74 senior officers, 78 junior officers, and 1,288 other ranks.

The generals placed on retirement are Major General Emmanuel Bayingana, Major General Vincent Gatama, and Brigadier General Albert Rugambwa.

Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana previously served as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence. He was recently appointed as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Israel.

Maj Gen Vincent Gatama recently served in Rwanda’s security mission in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province, where he was the Commander of the Rwanda Security Force (RSF) Joint Task Force. He also previously served as the commander of the Fourth Division in the Rwanda Defence Force.

Meanwhile, Brig Gen Albert Rugambwa was the commander of Battalion 201, which operates in the districts of Rwamagana, Kayonza, Gatsibo, and Nyagatare.