Col. Mutabazi was accompanied by the RDF Engineer Contingent Commander, Moses Kayigamba. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two defence forces and reviewing the progress of Rwanda’s humanitarian assistance following the devastating Hurricane Melissa.

During the meeting, Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman commended the leadership of the Rwanda Defence Force for its timely deployment of troops to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts after the hurricane. She praised the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by Rwandan engineers working alongside their Jamaican counterparts.

Over a two-month period, the RDF Engineer Contingent, working in close collaboration with JDF Engineers, reconstructed 62 houses for affected families. The team also built additional classrooms for a local school and carried out improvements to a home for children with disabilities. These efforts significantly contributed to rebuilding communities that had been severely impacted by the disaster.

Col. Mutabazi conveyed a message from the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, Mubarakh Muganga, expressing gratitude for the strong partnership between the RDF and the Jamaica Defence Force. He emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and its readiness to collaborate with Jamaica in future initiatives.

Personnel from the Rwanda Defence Force were deployed to Jamaica in January 2026 to assist with rebuilding efforts following the hurricane. The Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaican people have expressed appreciation for Rwanda’s solidarity and the valuable support provided during the recovery process.