President Paul Kagame has appointed Ngabo Brave Olivier as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, while Ishungure Parfait has been appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development.
The appointments were announced in a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister on July 15, 2026.
Ngabo Brave Olivier Returns to the Sports Ministry
Ngabo Brave Olivier, who has taken over the Permanent Secretary position at the Ministry of Sports, was previously serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development.
He was appointed to that role in 2024 after serving as the Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council.
Ngabo replaces Candy Basomingera, who had served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports since July 2025.
Who Is Candy Basomingera?
Candy Basomingera is a Rwandan public leader with a strong background in communications, international relations, tourism promotion, and sports development.
She joined the Ministry of Sports in July 2025 after serving as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), the government institution responsible for promoting Rwanda as a destination for international conferences, tourism, and investment events.
Before joining RCB, Basomingera built her career across several government institutions.
She previously worked as an Analyst at the Office of the Government Spokesperson and later served in different positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, including as Communications Division Manager.
During her time in government communications, she contributed to strengthening Rwanda’s international image and supporting major national events, including preparations related to global diplomatic engagements.
Beyond public service, Basomingera is also known as a co-founder of Haute Baso, a Rwandan ethical lifestyle and fashion brand that promotes creativity, culture, and sustainable design.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from London Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and a Postgraduate Degree in Gender and Development from the University of Rwanda.
A Bridge Between Sports, Tourism, and Investment
Although her professional journey began in diplomacy and communications, Basomingera brought valuable experience in the business side of sports.
At RCB, she was involved in promoting Rwanda as a host country for international events and understood how sports can contribute to tourism growth, investment attraction, and economic transformation.
She was particularly vocal about the role of sports in Africa’s development. In 2025, during discussions around the Basketball Africa League (BAL), she highlighted sports as a powerful platform for creating opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and driving economic growth.
Her appointment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports reflected Rwanda’s broader strategy of using sports not only for competition but also as a tool for tourism promotion, youth empowerment, and global visibility.
Ishungure Parfait Takes Over Youth and Arts Development Ministry
Meanwhile, Ishungure Parfait has been appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development, replacing Ngabo Brave Olivier.
The changes are part of continued efforts to strengthen leadership and coordination within key sectors focused on youth empowerment, sports development, and Rwanda’s creative economy.
