Board of Directors
Niyomwungeri Aaron
Niyomwungeri Aaron is a celebrated expert in Rwanda’s creative industry a journalist, storyteller, and events manager known for his leadership across major arts and cultural platforms. He is the Co-Creator of the Mashariki African Film Festival and formerly led Events Management for the Set Film Festival. Among his most impactful contributions, Aaron managed the National Street Dance Competition, a role driven by his deep passion for helping youth discover and express their talents through dance, film, music, and other creative forms.
Aaron has also shaped and supported Rwanda’s major arts and film festivals including Hillywood Rwanda Film Festival, Mashariki African Film Festival, Kigali Cine Junction, Ubumuntu Arts Festival, FESPAD dance festival, and Festival Arts Azimuts (FAAZ) through creative leadership, event coordination, and youth storytelling initiatives.
A survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Aaron’s life has been shaped by resilience and an unwavering sense of national responsibility. His belief in peace and unity is not theoretical it is lived and reflected in his dedication to storytelling and community transformation.
Professionally, Aaron serves as the Director of Competitions and Awards at the Rwanda International Movie Awards, and is also a screenwriter, director, and sound operator. He has played a pivotal role in strengthening Rwanda’s film industry, coordinating national efforts to improve technical standards, train emerging talent, and promote Rwandan stories internationally.
For Aaron, storytelling is more than a craft it is a tool for healing, remembrance, and cultural preservation. His career is deeply rooted in the conviction that creativity is one of the most powerful ways to build peace and unity.
As a founding Board Member of Population Development Initiative (PDI), Aaron brings this same energy and purpose to the organization. His leadership ensures that PDI’s work remains grounded in dignity, cultural relevance, and youth empowerment helping communities reimagine what’s possible through the lens of shared experience and creativity.
Captain Kayitare Alice
Captain Kayitare Alice is a decorated officer in the Rwanda Defence Force and one of the visionary founders of Population Development Initiative (PDI). With a distinguished military career marked by courage, discipline, and service, she has played a central role in regional peacekeeping missions including her commendable work in the Central African Republic, where she was honored with a Presidential Award for Peace and Service by the President of CAR for her outstanding efforts in sustaining peace during times of war.
Her journey through some of Africa’s most challenging conflicts revealed to her a profound truth: that peace is not merely won on the battlefield it is built and sustained in communities. Driven by this conviction, Captain Kayitare co-founded PDI with a mission to bridge the gap between peacekeeping and long-term development. She strongly believes that while Rwanda has made extraordinary strides in post-genocide reconstruction, the work is far from over. True, lasting peace, she affirms, can only be achieved when government efforts are complemented by grassroots action, community leadership, and sustained investment in people.
As Chairperson of the Board, Captain Kayitare brings sharp strategic vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to PDI’s mission. Her leadership reminds us that peace is both a duty and a shared journey one that must include every voice.
Adelithe Mugabo
Mr. Adelithe Mugabo is a distinguished African Gender and Child Rights Specialist with over 15 years of experience across humanitarian and development sectors. His career reflects a strong commitment to gender equality, child protection, and inclusive development, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
Mr. Mugabo has extensive expertise in program design, proposal development, emergency response, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), youth empowerment, and gender inclusion, combining hands-on field experience with strategic oversight.
He currently serves as an Independent Consultant in Fundraising and Resource Mobilization, supporting local and international NGOs to strengthen project design, donor engagement, and institutional capacity.
He is the Secretary General and Co-Founder of Africa Partners Development (APD) and Vice President and Co-Founder of Action Pour le Développement de la Femme et de l’Enfant (APDFE), regional initiatives focused on empowering women and children across Central Africa. Mr. Mugabo has also held key roles in international NGOs, including Oxfam, CARE International Rwanda, Save the Children, and Plan International, contributing to evidence-based programming and gender justice initiatives.
As a Board Member of PDI, Mr. Mugabo brings his extensive field experience, strategic insight, and expertise in gender and child rights to guide the organization’s programs, ensuring they remain impactful, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
Ingabire Rehema
Ingabire Rehema is a passionate feminist leader with a strong commitment to advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Born on 17th October 1999, she brings a unique perspective as a young woman dedicated to driving social change in conflict and post-conflict settings.
With a background in development work, Rehema has extensive experience in advocacy, community mobilization, and grassroots leadership. She is recognized for her transformative leadership style, which prioritizes inclusive dialogue, intergenerational learning, and empowering marginalized voices.
As a Board Member of the Population Development Initiative (PDI), Rehema contributes her expertise in gender and youth issues, helping guide the organization’s vision and ensuring that its strategies remain inclusive and responsive to the needs of communities. Beyond her role at PDI, she is an active participant in regional feminist movements, representing the voices of women and youth on both national and international platforms.
Bagabo Placide
Bagabo Placide is an experienced sports leader and development professional with over 15 years of experience advancing sports and talent development in Rwanda and beyond. He holds a Master’s degree in Global Sports Management from Seoul National University and has built a career combining athletic excellence with strategic leadership.
A former professional Taekwondo athlete, Placide has held key roles in the Rwanda Taekwondo Federation, including Secretary General, CEO, Event Director, Project Manager, and ultimately President of the Federation. He also coordinated the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, using sports as a platform for social inclusion and community impact.
Placide has contributed at national and international levels, serving as Chair of the Genocide Memorial Tournaments Committee under the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC), Chairman of the RNOSC Conflict Resolution Committee, a Board Member of the African Taekwondo Union, and as a member of the World Taekwondo Para Taekwondo Commission.
Currently a Sports Development Specialist at the Ministry of Sports in Rwanda, he plays a critical role in shaping national sports programs and nurturing talent. As a Board Member of PDI, Placide brings his leadership, strategic insight, and experience in program development to guide the organization’s initiatives and strengthen its impact.