On the 27th of March 2024, a significant event unfolded as the RLRC bid farewell to its non-permanent Commissioners. These individuals, who had served tirelessly for almost nine years, were concluding their tenure due to changes in the governing law of the RLRC. To honor their dedication and contributions, a farewell event was organized. This event served as both a gesture of gratitude and a recognition of the valuable impact these Commissioners had during their time of service.

The changes in the law now specify that the RLRC is managed by a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Commissioner in charge of Law Reform and Revision, and a Commissioner in charge of Legislative Drafting and Translation (Law no 023/2024 of 25/01/2024 governing Rwanda Law Reform Commission). The staff of the RLRC bid farewell to Dr. Kaitesi Usta, Rukundakuvuga François Regis, Julien Gustave Kavaruganda, Odette Yankurije, and Consolate Bigirimana. 

The farewell event was graced by the presence of Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of Justice, who expressed his gratitude to the former commissioners for their dedicated service and contributions to the RLRC's mission.

Professional Profiles of the Outgoing Commissioners

Dr. Kaitesi Usta

Dr. Kaitesi Usta is the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). She has previously served as Deputy CEO of the RGB, Principal of the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Rwanda, and held various positions at the UR Law School. Notably, she was Vice Chairperson of the technical support commission for the 2015 constitutional review. Dr. Kaitesi holds a PhD in Law from the University of Utrecht, a Master of Laws from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the National University of Rwanda.

Justice Rukundakuvuga François Regis

Justice Rukundakuvuga is a senior judge and certified mediator. He has been a key figure in Rwanda's judiciary since 2001, holding positions such as President of the High Court, Inspector General of Courts, and currently, President of the Court of Appeal of Rwanda. He is also Vice President of the High Council of the Judiciary and a commissioner at the RLRC. He holds an L.L.B from the National University of Rwanda and an L.L.M in Commercial Laws from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Julien Gustave Kavaruganda

Julien Kavaruganda is the Founder & Senior Partner of K-Solutions & Partners, a corporate law firm in Kigali. He has served as President of the Rwanda Bar Association and the Association of the Bar Associations of the Great Lakes Region, and Vice Chairman of the Kigali International Arbitration Center. With over twenty years of experience, he is recognized by leading legal directories and is fluent in English, French, and Kinyarwanda.

Odette Yankurije

Odette Yankurije has been a non-permanent commissioner at the RLRC since 2015 and Deputy Ombudsman in charge of preventing and fighting injustice since 2017. She has held various senior positions in the Ministry of Justice. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business Law from Queen Mary University of London and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Quebec University.

Consolate Bigirimana

Consolate Bigirimana is a lecturer at the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) and Coordinator of its Kigali Campus. She has served as a commissioner at the RLRC since 2015 and is a member of the Rwanda Bar Association. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in Human Rights. Her career includes roles as a prosecutor, lecturer, and researcher with a focus on civil law, child justice, and international crimes.

The RLRC extends its heartfelt gratitude to these distinguished individuals for their invaluable contributions to legal reform in Rwanda.