The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) is mourning the death of Lieutenant General Innocent Kabandana,one of the senior officers in the country’s Force .
Kabandana passed away at the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital from natural causes, the army said.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is deeply saddened to announce the unfortunate death of Lt Gen Innocent Kabandana,” the RDF said in a statement this Sunday afternoon.
“The Rwanda Defence Force extends its condolences and joins the family in mourning during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.” The statement adds
Who was Kabandana
He was one of the senior young men joined the liberation struggle 1990 and played a part in Rwanda’s liberation struggle, from 1990 to 1994 and is among the combatants that stopped the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
Over the years, he has taken on tasks ranging from combat, command, staff training and peacekeeping at tactical and operational levels in different missions across the continent. In the past, he also served as Defence Attache’ to the Embassy of Rwanda, Washington DC.
His other previous key appointments include being a Brigade staff officer in charge of Civil Military Affairs, Chief Instructor at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, and Deputy Chief Military Personnel Officer in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan UNMISS Sudan.
Gen Kabandana was also once the Chairman of the Military Tender Board: Chief of Logistics, RDF HQ; Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy and Director of Rwanda Peace Academy.
Kabandana was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in September 2022 by President Paul Kagame, the commander-in-chief of the RDF, in recognition of his leadership of Rwandan forces in Mozambique.
He had a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University, USA.