Vision
About NDU-R
A national institution with a global perspective.
National Defence University - Rwanda is a specialised public university created to advance defence and security education, strategic research, professional excellence, and responsible leadership.
2026
Established by law
8
Constituent organs
3
District locations
Our institution
One university for defence, security, and peace leadership.
NDU-R serves the educational needs of the Rwanda Defence Force, sister security institutions, senior public servants engaged in national defence and security, and approved international partners.
Its constituent organs span strategic studies, security studies, medicine, nursing, applied science and technology, police and intelligence education, command and staff learning, and officer development.
The university connects those disciplines through a shared commitment to ethical leadership, professional service, research, innovation, national resilience, and regional stability.
Institutional direction
Excellence with purpose.
NDU-R's vision and mission place high-quality education, applied research, and leadership development at the centre of its public role.
Mission
To educate and develop defence and security professionals, senior government officials, and international partners.
Our mandate
Education, research, and service in the national interest.
The founding framework gives NDU-R a broad role across academic programmes, professional training, research, innovation, knowledge exchange, and national problem-solving.
Higher education
Develop and deliver specialised programmes that strengthen defence, security, public service, and professional leadership.
Research
Carry out and promote research in defence and security affairs, and turn knowledge into useful policy and practice.
Professional development
Prepare defence and security professionals, senior officials, and international partners for complex responsibilities.
National capability
Advance innovation, strategic thinking, interagency understanding, and solutions to national challenges.
Governance
A structure for accountable university leadership.
NDU-R operates through governance and management bodies that connect institutional oversight, executive leadership, academic standards, and university-wide coordination.
Named leadership profiles and the full organisational chart will be published when formally confirmed for public release.
Chancellor
The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force serves as Chancellor.
Board of Governors
Provides institutional oversight within the governance structure established for the university.
Executive Organ
Leads the university's executive administration and implementation of its mandate.
Academic Senate
Guides academic matters, standards, programmes, research, and the integrity of university awards.
Senior Management Committee
Coordinates university-wide management and the work of constituent organs.
Founding framework
Established by Law No. 015/2026 of 10 April 2026.
Official document access to be published