Barbara Umuhoza appointed Rwanda Bar Association CEO
The Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) has appointed Barbara Umuhoza as its new chief executive officer and William Niyongabo as chief operating officer as part of a restructuring of its secretariat.
The association said the changes were aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening management and administration, and preparing the Bar for expansion.
The number of lawyers in Rwanda has grown to more than 1,500, with about 200 others currently undergoing the admission process.
According to The New Times, RBA President Moise Nkundabarashi said the growth of the legal profession and plans to expand the association’s activities had prompted a review of its management structure.
“Previously, we had an executive director and staff working in different departments, including medical services, finance, legal aid, programme development and administration,” he said.
“But now the number of lawyers has increased to over 1,500, with another 200 being processed.”
Nkundabarashi said the new structure would separate strategic leadership from day-to-day operations.
“We needed someone in charge of operations and someone who would be responsible for strategy at the strategic level as CEO,” he said.
New leadership
Umuhoza, an author and communications consultant, will oversee the Bar’s strategic direction.
As CEO, she will provide strategic and administrative leadership to the secretariat, coordinate implementation of decisions by the Governing Council and oversee the association’s activities.
She will also lead resource mobilisation, communications and partnerships.
Niyongabo, who previously served as acting executive director, will oversee the Bar’s day-to-day operations as COO.
He will support the CEO in implementing programmes, strengthening internal systems and improving service delivery.
Nkundabarashi said the restructuring was part of preparations for the Bar’s next phase as it approaches 30 years of existence.
He said the association was also looking to expand its activities nationally and internationally.
CEO does not have to be a lawyer
Mr Nkundabarashi said the CEO position did not necessarily need to be held by a lawyer.
The Bar already has more than 1,500 lawyers and a Governing Council made up of legal professionals, he said.
“What we needed was leadership, strategy and other skills,” he said.
He said bringing people with different professional backgrounds into the association’s management would help develop areas such as communications, legal aid and business development.
Umuhoza said her immediate priorities would include improving administration, internal systems, accountability and communication with advocates.
She also highlighted resource mobilisation, partnerships and digital transformation, including improving access to membership services and continuing legal education.
Ethics and access to justice
Umuhoza said professional ethics would remain a priority, with plans to strengthen ethics education and continuing legal education.
She also pledged to improve the handling of complaints and disciplinary matters and expand access to legal assistance for vulnerable and underserved communities.
“We also want to encourage advocates to see pro bono service not only as a professional obligation, but as part of our collective responsibility to society,” she said.
The Bar also plans to use technology and partnerships to make legal information and assistance more accessible.
Support for lawyers
The leadership changes come alongside plans to improve lawyers’ welfare, particularly for women in the profession.
Nkundabarashi said surveys by the Bar had shown that some women were leaving the legal profession.
The association is considering measures including maternity support to help female lawyers remain in practice during and after childbirth.
It also plans to strengthen wellness programmes for lawyers, amid concerns about the pressures associated with legal practice.
Nkundabarashi said the initiatives were part of broader efforts to support lawyers’ professional development and wellbeing as the association enters a new phase of growth.
