Former RBA Presidents – Rwanda Bar Association

KAVARUGANDA Julien-Gustave (2015-2021)

Julien is the Founder & Senior Partner of the Corporate law firm called K-Solutions & Partners in Kigali, Rwanda. He has been practicing at the Brussels Bar Association before joining the Rwanda Bar Association more than twenty years ago.

Julien is the outgoing President of the Rwanda Bar Association, as he has successfully completed his two (2) terms of office (2015-2018, & 2018-2021). He also served as Vice Chairman of the Kigali International Arbitration Center (20122024), Former Board member of the East African Law Society (2015-2021), and former Board member of Bank of Kigali for the maximum nine (9) years terms approved by the Central Bank of Rwanda (2012-2021).

Julien is currently the Executive Chairman of the Advocates Investment Company Ltd (being the Rwanda Bar Association Investment Fund). He is the Resident Director of New Bugarama Mining Company Ltd (2009- ongoing), Board member of MTN Rwanda Ltd (2021-ongoing), Board member of Sanlam Allianz Life Rwanda, and finally Board member of Rwanda Finance Ltd / Kigali International Financial Center (2020-ongoing).

Julien has over two decades of experience in projects finance, corporate law, real estate and construction, Mining Law and Banking law. His practice covers corporate and commercial law inclusive of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, privatization, banking and finance, project finance, capital markets, arbitration, energy and natural resources, and infrastructure law.

Julien is also actively involved in several environmental and ecological issues in the local community.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Project Finance , Corporate and Commercial legal practice, Real estate and construction, Insurance, Banking and Finance, Project finance, Intellectual property ,Mining, Energy, Environmental, Negotiation and Mediation Practice, Adjudication, Arbitration and Litigation practice, Securities law and insolvency, Business Organization and Joint Venture, Capital market. Private Notary Practice.

CAREER SUMMARY

2007– DATE : Senior Partner, K-Solutions & Partners (Corporate law firm in Rwanda)
2004–2007 : Senior Associate, De Wolf & Partners (Corporate law firm in Belgium)

Mugeni Anitha(6/08/2015- 30/10/2015)

Anita is one of the founding partners of MRB. She is a senior member of the Rwanda Bar Association, with a great training and experience in the civil law system. Anita possess an LLB degree from the National University of Rwanda (NUR, 1996), an LLM, FUSL- Universite Catholique de Louvain (2005).  

Anita is a senior advocate who started her legal practice as an advocate in 1998, working her way up as one of the most prolific commercial and litigation attorneys in Rwanda. She has worked on many commercial transaction advisory cases including dispute resolution, due diligences and insolvencies.  

She has held positions of responsibility as she served as acting President of the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA), as dean and council member of RBA, as well as council member of the East African Law Society, as member of Panafrican lawyers Union, as well the International Bar Association, Member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators, Managing Partner of MRB Attorneys, Commissioner of the public service commission and commissioner of National Consultative committee on EAC Political Federation.

Anita has a strong grounding in Kinyarwanda and French, and a proficient command of English. She brings over two decades of extensive experience in legal practice and academia, having taught law at the National University of Rwanda, the Independent University of Kigali (ULK), and the Institute of Legal Practice & Development (ILPD) to MRB.

Anita was appointed as Judge to the East African Court of Justice, Appellate Division, in 2021, marking a pivotal milestone in her illustrious career. Her elevation to the position of Vice President of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in 2023 stands as a testament to her exemplary leadership and judicial acumen.

RUTABINGWA Athanase(2011- 2015)

Rutabingwa Athanase, one of the founding Partners at MRB Attorneys, holds an MSc in International Trade Policy and Trade Law from Lund University in Sweden. He also possesses a Postgraduate Diploma from the Institute of Legal Practice & Development (ILPD) and is a Fellow in Arbitration (FCIArb) from the London Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, of which he chairs the Rwandan Branch.

Athanase began his legal career in 2000 upon joining the Rwanda Bar Association. He initially worked as an advocate with Rwanga and Company Advocates before co-founding Kigali Allied Advocates, where he served as Managing Partner. In 2013, he played a pivotal role in the formation of MRB Attorneys

Athanase brings extensive expertise in commercial law, particularly in providing advisory services to a diversified portfolio of clients, including financial institutions, sponsors, developers, and governmental bodies

He is highly skilled in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, as well as litigation in commercial law, banking, labor law, land law, and transport law. Throughout his career, Athanase has developed strong relationships within Rwandan institutions. He held the position of President of the Rwanda Bar Association for two consecutive terms (2011-2015) and has been actively involved in the East African Law Society, serving as both a member and Council Member. Additionally, he served as President of the Conference International des Barreaux (CIB)

In addition to his legal practice, Athanase has served on the boards of several corporate entities, including SONARWA General Insurance Ltd (2014 – 2016) and the Development Bank of Rwanda (2013 – 2020). He has also acted as Company Secretary for various organizations. Furthermore, he held the position of Chairman of the Kigali City Council from 2016 to 2019. Athanase also contributes to legal education as a lecturer at the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) in Rwanda.

Karangwa Vincent(2009 - 2011)

Me Karangwa Vincent is a senior Rwandan advocate who served as President of the Rwanda Bar Association from 2009 to 2011. During his three-year tenure, he championed access to justice and actively supported legal aid initiatives aimed at ensuring justice for all.

Under his leadership, the Rwanda Bar Association strengthened partnerships with various local and international organizations, enhancing institutional capacity and expanding support for the legal profession. His presidency contributed to increased collaboration and resource mobilization in support of the Bar’s mission and Rwanda’s justice sector.

Gatera Gashabana(2006- 2008)

Gatera Gashabana is a senior advocate at the Rwanda Bar Association and a former President of the Rwanda Bar Association. He is widely respected for his leadership within the legal profession and his longstanding contribution to the development of the rule of law in Rwanda. Through his legal practice and bar leadership, he has played a significant role in strengthening professional standards, legal ethics, and advocacy in Rwanda.

Haguma Jean(2001 - 2006)

Me Haguma Jean is a senior Rwandan advocates who served as President of the Rwanda Bar Association from 2001 to 2006. During his tenure, he contributed to the consolidation and strengthening of the Association, focusing on professional standards, institutional development, and the growing role of the Rwanda Bar within Rwanda’s justice sector. His leadership supported the continued rebuilding and professionalization of the legal profession in the post-genocide period.

Kazungu Jean Bosco(1999- 2001)

Hon. Justice Jean Bosco Kazungu graduated from Université de Liège | Belgium, was appointed Justice to the Supreme Court on the 31st October 2023.

Prior to this appointment, he served as a lawyer within various international and local institutions like ICTR | International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (2008), President of Rwanda Bar Association (1999), Lawyer to the Rwanda Bar Association (1997), Lawyer and Honorary lawyer to Barreau de Liège (from 1993).

Mutagwera Frederick(1997-1999)

Me Mutagwera Frederick is a senior Rwandan advocate who served as the first President of the Rwanda Bar Association from 1997 to 1999, following its establishment three years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. As the founding president, he played a pivotal role in laying the institutional foundations of the Association during a critical post-genocide period, contributing to the rebuilding of the legal profession and the restoration of justice and professional ethics in Rwanda.

Areas Of Expertise

Career Summary

2007– DATE : Senior Partner, K-Solutions & Partners (Corporate law firm in Rwanda)
2004–2007 : Senior Associate, De Wolf & Partners (Corporate law firm in Belgium)

Working Hours