Her appointment was confirmed by the cabinet meeting held on 30th January 2023 chaired by President Paul Kagame.

Gasinzigwa replaces Prof. Kalisa Mbanda who died recently. She was elected in 2016 to represent Rwanda in EALA.

Gasinzigwa also served as the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, headed the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and worked with banks for eight years among others.

Towards the end of 1994, Gasinzigwa was named the Mayor of Kacyiru District which changed to Gasabo District, a position which she held until 2005. She was later assigned new duties in the General Secretariat of RPF Inkotanyi.

Prof. Kalisa Mbanda who is replaced by Oda Gasinzigwa succumbed to natural cause at Kanombe Military Hospital on 13th January 2023.

Zephanie Niyonkuru reappointed

The cabinet meeting has also appointed Carine Umwari as a commissioner in NEC while Christophe Bazivamo was named Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga has been named the Director General of Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) replacing Dr. Patrick Karangwa who was appointed Director General of Agriculture Modernization in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).

Among others, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro has been named RAB Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Development. He was previously serving as the Director of research and innovation at the University of Rwanda (UR) - College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM).

Dr. Olivier Kamana has been appointed as Permanent Secretary in MINAGRI replacing Jean Claude Musabyimana who was named Minister of Local Government (MINAGRI) in November 2022.

Zephanie Niyonkuru who once served as the Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has been named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports (MINISPORTS).

He had been ousted from the position in October last year due to ‘repeated managerial failures’.

Niyonkuru had held the position since October 2019 replacing Emmanuel Hategeka who was assigned to represent Rwanda in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prior to his dismissal.

He holds Master’s degree in Economics from SOAS University of London. Niyonkuru also pursued governance related courses in Sweden and China.

Before his appointment as Deputy RDB CEO, Niyonkuru had worked at the institution as a strategy expert.

Prior to joining RDB, Niyonkuru worked as a Country Representative for the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub.

Oda Gasinzigwa is the new Chairperson of NEC.

Zephanie Niyonkuru has been named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports.

Dr. Patrick Karangwa has been appointed Director General of Agriculture Modernization in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

Dr. Florence Uwamahorowill be serving as RAB Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Development.

Christophe Bazivamo has been named Rwanda's High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Dr. Olivier Kamana has been appointed Permanent Secretary in MINAGRI.