A team of experts from the United Kingdom Defence Academy and Kings College London have completed a two-week-long tour of duty at Rwanda Military Academy Nyakinama, where they have completed a Validation of the RDF Senior Command and Staff College curriculum. The four-man Defence experts’ team is composed of Lt Col Jeremy Sharpe from the UK Defence Academy, Dr Andrew Stewert from Kings College London, Cdr Chris Taylor, Defence College, and Mr Aaron Clipps, the College Librarian.

While paying a courtesy call to the CDS, Lt Gen C Kayonga at the Defence Hqs on 31 May 2012, the UK Defence experts expressed their satisfaction that all the requirements are in place for the Senior Command and Staff College to commence immediately. The infrastructure was found up to international standards, the Directing Staff are in place and the Curriculum, both military and academic components with the National University of Rwanda will all boost the academic aspirations of RDF.
The RDF Senior Command and Staff College is scheduled to open in July 2012. The one-year course will be attended by Senior Officers from the rank of Major to Colonel. 21 senior officers are already at The College for a 9-week Orientation Course which ends on 22 June 2012. The CDS thanked the UK Defence Experts team for the good job, saying this is a clear example of good Defence Cooperation between the two countries' Militaries.

RDF has been sending Senior Officers to attend Senior Command and Staff Courses from the region and abroad. There are plans to upgrade Rwanda Military Academy Nyakinama into a National Defence University shortly.

Lt Gen. C.KAYONGA with a team of experts from the United Kingdom Defence Academy and Kings College London