The handover ceremony took place on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Kimuhurura.

Brig. Gen. Godfrey Gasana, who previously held the position, has been assigned new responsibilities. He has been appointed as the President’s personal pilot and will also serve as an adviser to the Minister of Defence on matters related to the operational performance of the Rwanda Air Force.

Brig. Gen. Gasana was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 2023 from Colonel, at a time when he was serving as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Col. Gatsinzi, on the other hand, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in September 2024, from Lieutenant Colonel. In 2025, he distinguished himself as the best-performing officer among graduates of the Senior Command and Staff Course at the Nyakinama Military Academy. Prior to his appointment, Col. Gatsinzi served as Director of Operations within the Rwanda Air Force.