Rwanda appoints Edouard Bamporiki to Unity Club leadership after presidential pardon

Rwanda's former Minister of State for Culture, Edouard Bamporiki, has been appointed executive secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri, one of several appointments announced by the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

Bamporiki replaces Uwacu Julienne, who has been appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour. His appointment comes two years after President Paul Kagame pardoned him following his conviction in a corruption case.

The presidential announcement also named new officials to several public institutions, including the Office of the Auditor General and the National Commission for Human Rights.

Claudette Mukashyaka was appointed Auditor General, with Gratien Kubwimana named Deputy Auditor General. Nyiragwaneza Athanasie, Bangayandusha Viateur and Umutoni Aissa were appointed commissioners at the National Commission for Human Rights.

Other appointments included Helliate Rushwaya as Zimbabwe's ambassador to Rwanda, based in Kigali, and Anna Merrifield as Finland's ambassador, based in Dar es Salaam.

Bamporiki's appointment is notable given his previous role in government and the legal case that brought his political career to a halt. In January 2023, he was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 30 million Rwandan francs for offences involving the fraudulent acquisition of another person's property and abuse of authority.

Before his conviction, Bamporiki served as Minister of State in charge of Culture and was known as a poet, filmmaker and public figure. His pardon in October 2024 preceded his return to a formal leadership role.

Unity Club Intwararumuri, founded in 1996 by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, brings together current and former government officials and their spouses to promote national unity, reconciliation and social development.

By Elisa UWINEZA