Rwanda president Paul Kagame’s soldier son joins elite presidential guard

The move comes months after Ian, the third-born of the long-serving president completed his military training from an elite academy in the United Kingdom.

Ian’s first assignment guarding his father was at the National Prayer Breakfast in the capital Kigali on Sunday (January 15), he appeared dressed in a black suit and white shirt with an earpiece characteristic of elite officers.

The presidential guard, according to local media, is in charge of the security of the Head of State and the First family. It is one of the three elite units of the army.

In August 2022, Ian graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst UK.

He was part of three Rwandan nationals who underwent training at the facility reputed to be one of the best in the world.

“Today, Friday 12 Aug 22, Ian Kagame, Park Udahemuka and David Nsengiyumva graduated and were commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant at a ceremony at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst UK,” the Rwandan Defence Ministry said in a brief statement.

In attendance was Kagame and his wife Jeanette.

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) is where all officers in the British Army are trained.

During training, all officer cadets learn to live by the academy’s motto: ‘Serve to Lead.’