Lieutenant General Innocent Kabandana, who once served as the Commander of Rwandan security forces deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province, has passed away after an illness.
His death was confirmed on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Sources revealed that Lt Gen Kabandana had been receiving treatment at Kanombe Military Hospital, where he died.
On September 26, 2022, President Paul Kagame promoted Innocent Kabandana to the rank of Lieutenant General in recognition of his service, particularly his leadership in Mozambique.
Gen Kabandana joined the Rwanda Patriotic Army in 1990 and played a key role in the liberation of Rwanda and in stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Throughout his distinguished career, he held several senior military and diplomatic positions. He once served as the Defence Attaché at Rwanda’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., Head of Training at Gako Military Academy, and Deputy Force Commander with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
He also served as Chief of Logistics in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Commandant of the Rwanda Peace Academy, and Commander of the RDF Special Forces.
During the year he led Rwandan forces in Mozambique, significant progress was made in driving insurgents out of Cabo Delgado Province.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
