On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame officially appointed Uwera Jean Maurice to succeed the late Alain Mukuralinda, who passed away in early 2025.
Speaking to SK FM, where he serves as Managing Director, Uwera Jean Maurice described the appointment as a surprise that kept him awake the entire night. “It came unexpectedly. Being entrusted with responsibilities at a national level is never easy".
"I read through the Cabinet resolutions near Kibagabaga Hospital. I had to pause because there were too many calls. I first thanked God and the President for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do. But even after three hours, I couldn’t fully grasp the weight of the responsibility. That whole night, I didn’t sleep,” he said.
Uwera Jean Maurice emphasized that his work will focus on ensuring effective communication between the government and citizens. “My main role is to make sure that what the government wants to communicate reaches the citizens, and equally, that what citizens want to convey to the government also reaches its intended destination."
"This must be done through all available channels, including digital platforms and other forms of communication, so that no one misses the message or hears it for the first time,” he explained.
One of his immediate priorities will be to ensure that social media platforms become monetized. “I strongly believe that our youth should have opportunities. I’ve always spoken about this publicly. Everyone knows that young people—and even adults—need to earn income from social media platforms".
"If Rwanda has fast and affordable internet compared to other countries in the region, this is the perfect time to start generating revenue. That’s where my efforts will go. It won’t happen overnight, but we will engage the responsible authorities and achieve progress,” he said.
Uwera Jean Maurice also clarified that while he respects the work of his predecessor, he intends to chart his own path. “I am myself. I wouldn’t say I am him, but I will follow in his footsteps while establishing my own approach".
"My focus will be on citizens and the government, particularly in communication, because when messages are delivered effectively and efficiently, they resonate quickly. Rwandans are receptive, so the communication must be relatable and accessible,” he added.