Introduction
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The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) are security institutions and platforms of transformation, resilience, and mentorship. Women within these organisations have transcended barriers to becoming leaders, role models, and change agents. From the liberation struggle to peacekeeping missions and institutional reforms, their stories illustrate how resilience and mentorship produce transformative leadership that inspires future generations.
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Breaking Barriers in Uniform

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Women have long played an integral role in Rwanda’s armed struggle and post-genocide reconstruction. Lt. Col. Lydia Bagwaneza began her journey as a young fighter amidst skepticism. In a 2023 New Times interview, she recalled: “At first, even some of my male colleagues doubted us…” [1].

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Her perseverance has since resonated throughout the RDF. Maj. (Rtd) Nuriat Kaka, leader of the all-women Yankee Mobile Unit during the liberation war, urged younger women: “We’ve done the structure, please go on and do the small touches…” [2].

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Joy, a Member of Ndabaga (the association of women ex-combatants), recounts how her schoolmates in Uganda mocked her for being Rwandan, fueling her determination to return and fight for her country [3] . Col. Stella Uwineza, promoted in 2023, shared that her inspiration came from civic education (Ingando), where she first engaged with military personnel before pursuing training abroad as an engineer and serving in UN missions [4] .

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Leadership in Action

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Women leaders in Rwanda’s security sector have demonstrated competence in command, operations, and institutional reform. Capt. Mutamba represents women who commanded a platoon during the liberation war. Such contributions in crisis response remain under- documented but essential. DIGP Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza embodies the intersection of military and policing, leading civil–military cooperation initiatives and international engagements in peacekeeping readiness [5] .

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Mentorship as a Legacy

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Mentorship is deeply woven into RDF and RNP leadership culture. Bagwaneza has become a beacon for younger officers, and her career has offered a roadmap from skepticism to leadership. Tumwebaze, through Ndabaga, encourages women ex-combatants to remain engaged in nation-building, reconciliation, and community mentorship. Col. Uwineza consistently advises young women to seize military opportunities, championing strength, determination, and capability [6] . Yet, mentorship remains informal, mainly relying on personal initiative rather than structured programs.

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Balancing Service and Society

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Many women leaders balance professional service with family roles. Leaders like Uwineza and Ujeneza exemplify determination in navigating dual responsibilities, proving that resilience transcends the institution and extends into everyday life.

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Women in Leadership: RDF

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In 2023, the RDF reached a historic milestone by promoting several women to the rank of Colonel for the first time. These officers now serve in key areas such as civil–military cooperation, engineering, command and staff training, and the Air Force, demonstrating Rwanda’s ongoing commitment to gender inclusion and integration of women at the heart of national defence and strategy [7] .

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Women in Leadership: RNP

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Since its establishment in 2000, the RNP has increased women’s representation from 0.5% to nearly 25%. DIGP Ujeneza stands among the highest-ranking women in the sector, while others lead in aviation, engineering, and community policing. The RNP also organizes annual Women Police Conventions, emphasising leadership development, gender- responsive training, and mentorship [8] .

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Institutional Reforms and Engagement

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Both RDF and RNP have created frameworks to mainstream gender and support resilience.
The RDF Gender Desk, established in 2007, promotes women’s recruitment, integrates
gender sensitivity into training, and supports GBV prevention. In May 2025, the RDF trained
100 military spouses in Nyamasheke District on family well-being and violence prevention [9] .
The RNP has a Gender Promotion Directorate that ensures women are included in
leadership, policy-making, and peace operations [10].

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What’s Missing: Toward Formalised Mentorship

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Despite progress, gaps remain. Mentorship is informal and not systematically tracked, with limited women-to-women networks. Cross-institutional mentorship between RDF and RNP is rare; transition mentorship for retiring officers is largely absent. Formalising mentorship frameworks would ensure sustainability and strengthen resilience across generations.

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Conclusion

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The narratives of Bagwaneza, Mutamba, Uwineza, Kaka, Ujeneza, and Joy weave a rich tapestry of resilience, leadership, and mentorship. These women demonstrate decisive leadership, from fighting for liberation to serving in peacekeeping missions, institutional reforms, and community advocacy. Rwanda has made remarkable strides in gender inclusion within its security institutions, setting an example for the continent. Yet, building structured mentorship networks and cross-institutional programs will be essential to sustaining this progress. When resilience meets mentorship, leadership becomes transformative, and through their courage and guidance, these women prove that every Rwandan girl can rise to lead.

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References

• 1 The New Times (2023). Interview with Lt. Col. Lydia Bagwaneza.
• 2 Igihe (2022). Story of Maj. (Rtd) Nuriat Kaka.
• 3 Igihe (2022). Story of Joy Tumwebaze
• 4 Africa Press (2023). Women in RDF Leadership.
• 5 RNP (2024). Civil–Military Cooperation and Peacekeeping Engagements.
• 6 Kigali Times (2024). Profile of Col. Stella Uwineza.
• 7 HCN Times (2023). Historic Promotion of Women Colonels.
• 8 RNP (2024). Women Police Convention and Gender Promotion.
• 9 RNP (2024). Women Police Convention and Gender Promotion.
• 10 ¹² Rwanda Dispatch (2025). RDF GBV Prevention Workshops in Nyamasheke.