Rwanda President Paul Kagame has mourned the death of Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli, saying the deceased “worked tirelessly and selflessly for this Nation and his contribution is evidenced by the various appointments he held over time, to serve Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in different capacities.”
Kagame said, the positions held by Musemakweli “testify to his exceptional commitment to fulfilling the core values RDF stands for. This is exemplified by his unrelenting endeavor to always instill these values to other RDF officers and men.”
The Inspector General of RDF passed away on Thursday, 11 February 2021 at the Rwanda Military Hospital, Kanombe.
The Defence Ministry said the General succumbed to “a natural cause.”
Musemakweli, who fought in the RPF war that brought President Paul Kagame to power, previously commanded the Republican Guard, an elite force that guards the First Family and carries out special military operations.
It’s said Musemakweli was always elevated in position mainly for his unquestionable loyalty to Kagame.
Musemakweli’s family bids farewell to their loved one
He also served as Chief of Staff of Reserve Force and Army Chief of Staff (ACOS).
Kagame said Musemakweli’s “untimely passing on comes at a time the Nation and his family still needed him,” adding, “What we can remember on such a day, is that all of us should strive to carry on the legacy of loving and working for our country, a value that characterized Late Gen Musemakweli.”
Kagame’s condolence message was read at the burial ceremony on 19 Feb 2021 by Senior Defence and Security Advisor in the Office of the President, Gen James Kabarebe.
Senior army officials graced the ceremony
“It is an extremely sad moment for the family of the Late Gen Musemakweli. It is indeed a time of sorrow for the entire RDF fraternity and to the Nation at large, as we recall all we went through together with the Late Gen Musemakweli in different times, his commendable service and exemplary achievements during the struggle for the liberation of our country and the subsequent struggle for the socio-economic development of our Nation he was still contributing to, up to the day he passed on,” said Kagame.
