Lieutenant General Innocent Kabandana, one of Rwanda’s most seasoned and respected military officers, has passed away. The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) confirmed his death on Sunday, stating that he died of natural causes at the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital.
In an official statement, the RDF extended condolences to his family and praised Kabandana as a “humble yet resolute commander” who played a pivotal role in shaping Rwanda’s military strategy both at home and abroad.
Lt Gen Kabandana was promoted to his rank in September 2022 by President Paul Kagame, in recognition of his leadership during Rwanda’s military deployment in Mozambique. He commanded joint operations that successfully pushed Islamic State-linked insurgents out of key areas in the Cabo Delgado Province, notably Palma and Mocimboa da Praia, in 2021. The operations marked a turning point in restoring peace and state authority in northern Mozambique.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Kabandana held several high-ranking positions, including:
- Head of Operations at the Republican Guard
- Deputy Commander of the Reserve Force
- Defence Attaché to the United States (Washington, D.C.)
- Senior Instructor at the Rwanda Military Academy and the Peace Academy
He also served in United Nations peacekeeping missions and held an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University in the United States.
Lt Gen Kabandana is remembered not only as a formidable commander but also as a soldier-scholar, whose career blended discipline, intellect, and leadership in the service of Rwanda’s national and regional security interests.
