Our Team

Me. Andrews Kananga is currently the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Forum – Rwanda, a position he has held since 2008. From 2004 – 2008, he was a Senior Legal adviser to National Semi-traditional Courts (Gacaca) that were charged with trials of people suspected of having committed Genocide in Rwanda. In 2012, Andrews was among the three Legal experts nominated by the Ministry of Justice in Rwanda to oversee the development of a legal aid policy in Rwanda. He has contributed enormously to legal reforms in Rwanda which ushered in the legal aid policy, legal aid bill, reform of the penal code and criminal procedure code, and many more pieces of legislation that favor access to justice for the poor and vulnerable in Rwanda. Andrews is a founding member of the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice (ACE-AJ) and head of research in the same center.

GAKUMBA Angel  is the Executive & Research Assistant to the Executive Director at the Legal Aid Forum (LAF). She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Public International Law from Kigali Independent University. In her role, she provides executive, strategic, and research support to the Office of the Executive Director, contributing to legal and policy research, institutional analysis, stakeholder coordination, knowledge management, and organizational development. Her work supports evidence-based decision-making and advances LAF's mission of promoting access to justice, human rights, and the rule of law. Passionate about legal and policy research, Angel is committed to generating evidence that informs policy, strengthens institutions, and expands access to justice for individuals and communities facing social, economic, and legal barriers.

“ Theogene TWIRINGIYIMANA joined The Legal Aid Forum in 2016 as Project Coordinator. Some of Theogene’s responsibilities include but not limited to coordination, support, supervision, and monitoring all project activities ; legal aid to refugees; liaise with and ensure smooth collaboration of stakeholders/partners, participate in project-related meetings at the national level and where necessary at the field level, and ensure that resolutions taken in the meetings are implemented, . Theogene is an experienced Legal Professional with a demonstrated history of working in Humanitarian organizations. Skilled in refugee laws, Child Protection& SGBV laws, International humanitarian law, and Legal Advice. He graduated from the National University of Rwanda Faculty of Law and acquainted with judicial laws and Rwandan court systems. ”

“ Arielle KAMANZI is currently a procurement officer for the legal Aid Forum-Rwanda, a position she has held since 2019. From September 2018 to December 2018, she was a child protection officer for the legal aid forum at Mahama camp (Kirehe District) where she was in charge of identifying, receiving, and following up the unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) for family re-unification and Facilitating birth registration of children in the camp. Arielle was a project coordinator for the right to protection and participation, a project implemented by the Legal aid forum in partnership with plan international Rwanda. She holds a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism management from the University of tourism and business studies. She is passionate about her work and able to learn new tasks quickly.”

“ Nathalie NZOBE serves as the Legal Aid Forum's Accountant. For 14 years, Nathalie has built an extensive experience in civil society and Public Accounting and Budgeting. She joined the Legal Aid Forum as a Budget Officer Whereby her responsibilities included but were not limited to the overall preparation of the Budget and Cash flow of the Institution. Before joining The Legal Aid Forum (LAF), Nathalie worked at Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) where she occupied various positions. Nathalie graduated from Kigali Independent University (ULK) where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Specialization in Finance. ”

“ Claudine NYIRANEZA is a Budget and Grants officer at the Legal Aid Forum with a good experience in the accounting and auditing fields. Her work in the legal Aid Forum goes with budgets preparation and monitoring to always ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the project, she participates in the project's financial planning and audits and assists the Finance office to prepare the financial statements& and reports. Before Joining the Legal Aid Forum, Claudine worked with NURU East Africa Ltd as an Accountant and administration manager where she was in charge of all company’s accounting. She holds a diploma in Economics from the National University of Rwanda.”