Musanze, 6 November 2016
35 officers, including 33 from Rwanda Defence Force and 2 from Rwanda National Police, graduated from Junior Command and Staff Course (JCSC/08) at RDF Command and Staff College, in Musanze District, on 6 November 2016. The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Army Chief of Staff (ACOS), Maj Gen Jacques Musemakweli, on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff.
TThe ceremony was also attended by RDF Generals and Senior Officers, spouses and family relatives of graduates as well as local government authorities including Northern Province Executive Secretary, Mr Kabagamba Deogratias and the Vice Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs in Musanze District, Mrs Uwamaliya Marie Claire.
In his remarks, the ACOS congratulated the graduates for having demonstrated high standards of discipline and personal conduct during the 4 months course. Gen Musemakweli was confident the course has enabled the officers to become better commanders and staff officers at tactical and operational levels respectively. “What you have learnt here will help you to contribute and earn the RDF in particular and our country in general, an international recognition whenever you will go for missions abroad and/or senior courses”, the ACOS said.
He also expressed gratitude to spouses and families of the graduates for their relentless patience and support in assisting the officers to successfully complete the course.
Gen Musemakweli also took opportunity to express his appreciation to the College Commandant, faculty and support staff, who put much effort in order to successfully conduct that particular programme. “You have contributed enormously towards professionalization of the RDF and attainment of its operational and peacekeeping objectives”. He said
The RDF Command and Staff College Commandant, Maj Gen J B Kazura declared that the College was overjoyed to graduate military leaders who have reached a satisfactory level of capacity that will enable them to deal with security challenges and lead their subordinates towards achieving the goals set out by the senior leadership. He urged the officers to keep on displaying resilience, dedication, hard work, commitment and humility they demonstrated throughout their stay at the College.
Maj Antoine Mpagaze Baguma and Maj Richard Kayitare emerged as the overall best student and the second overall best student, respectively. The best Commandant’s Paper was won by Maj Peter Nsengiyumva. The Paper is the final research work that every student must produce in order to successfully complete the JCSC.
The course ran for 17 weeks from 11 July to 6 November 2016.
