Lt Col (Rtd) Dr. Charles Karangwa
Director General
Lt Col (Rtd) Dr. Charles Karangwa is a leading Rwandan forensic expert, educator, and pharmaceutical scientist, with over two decades of experience in advancing forensic science, public health, and regulatory excellence in Rwanda. As the Director General of the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) since 2022, Dr. Karangwa has spearheaded transformative innovations, modernizing forensic science capabilities and fostering a culture of integrity and scientific rigor that strengthens Rwanda's justice system and public safety.
Under his leadership, RFI has grown into a model institution for forensic science in Africa, with initiatives that prioritize scientific accuracy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adherence to international standards. Dr. Karangwa’s strategic vision focuses on positioning RFI as a national and regional hub for forensic excellence, enhancing Rwanda’s investigative capabilities, and contributing to justice reform and public health security in line with the country’s NST2 goals.
Previously, Dr. Karangwa served as the Acting Director General of the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) from 2018 to 2021, where he played a pivotal role in consolidating the Rwanda FDA’s regulatory functions and led efforts to position the agency for WHO Maturity Level 3 accreditation.
He is also the founder of the Laboratory of Analysis of Foodstuffs, Medicines, Water, and Toxic Substances (LADAMET), which remains instrumental in supporting research and quality control in Rwanda’s pharmaceutical and food safety sectors.
An accomplished academic and mentor, Dr. Karangwa has served as a senior lecturer in clinical and forensic toxicology at the National University of Rwanda since 2006, where he has led numerous research projects on drug quality, public health threats like cholera, and water safety which proves his ability to lead a forensic bioterrorism laboratory. His extensive research and publications in toxicology and food safety have garnered international recognition, contributing valuable insights into contaminants and public health risk assessment.
Dr. Karangwa’s career exemplifies his commitment to excellence, ethical leadership, and capacity-building across Rwanda’s forensic and public health sectors. Through his stewardship, RFI is poised to become an internationally recognized forensic science institution, driving advancements in forensic practices, strengthening judicial processes, and ensuring public health protection. His work aligns seamlessly with Rwanda’s national priorities, making him an indispensable figure in shaping Rwanda’s forensic science landscape and public health infrastructure.
SP Alex Kagaba
Corporate Services Division Manager
Karolina Uwantege
Biology Division Manager
Dr. Emmanuel Nshingabigwi
Physical Evidence Division Manager
Dr Emmanuel Nshingabigwi is the Physical Evidence Division Manager at the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) since February, 2019. In this role, he oversees a portfolio of specialized forensic laboratories, including Ballistics and Toolmarks, Digital and Multimedia Forensics, Questioned Documents, and Fingerprints laboratories. He has made significant contributions to strengthening forensic science services at RFI, particularly through his pivotal role in the establishment and operationalization of the Institute’s Multimedia Forensics Laboratory.
Dr Nshingabigwi earned his PhD in Materials Science from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. His doctoral research focused on cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy analysis of ion implantation-induced damage in annealed diamond. This research was conducted at iThemba LABS in Gauteng, formerly known as the Schonland Nuclear Research Centre.
Prior to joining RFI in 2019, Dr Nshingabigwi served as Head of the Physics Department and Senior Lecturer in the School of Science, College of Science and Technology, at the University of Rwanda. During an academic career spanning more than 15 years, he taught Physics at university level, supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students, served as an external reviewer for PhD theses, and contributed to the evaluation of postgraduate Physics programmes.
In addition to his academic and forensic science leadership, Dr Nshingabigwi has contributed to scientific research in materials science and environmental physics. His early research included an in-depth study of the physical and chemical properties of Lake Kivu, generating valuable insights into its gas concentrations, chemical stability, and environmental characteristics. These findings have relevance for environmental monitoring, energy resource management, and public safety.
Dr Nshingabigwi is also a founding member of the Rwanda Materials Science and Solar Network for Eastern and Southern Africa and a member of AFSA. Through his combined expertise in physics, materials science, forensic analysis, and institutional leadership, he continues to contribute to the advancement of forensic science capacity in Rwanda and the wider region.
Dr. Justin Kabera
Chemistry Division Manager
CV: Justin Kabera
Juin 2026
Academic Background & Qualifications
Ph.D. in Materia Medica: Graduated in 2015 from the Tianjin University of TCM (TUTCM) in China, specializing in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology.
Research Specialization: His foundational academic career focused heavily on evaluating phytochemical properties, identifying secondary metabolites, and assessing the therapeutic versus toxic capabilities of plants.
Summary
Dr. Justin N. Kabera is a chemist by background, academic, and public servant specializing in forensic chemistry, toxicology, and the chemistry of natural products. He is widely recognized for his leadership role as the Chemistry Division Manager at the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) (previously known as the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory). With over 22 years of experience in research and development, his scientific profile bridges the gap between pharmaceutical evaluation of native African flora and applied forensic justice
As the Chemistry Division Manager at the RFI, he has expanded his focus to include modern national security, forensic toxicology, and public safety. His recent analytical work covers several critical defence domains:
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Safety
Dr. Kabera actively advocates for integrated national frameworks to combat chemical and radiological hazards. His work focuses on establishing a robust laboratory infrastructure capable of identifying illicitly trafficked radioactive materials, nuclear materials, or weaponized toxins.
Forensic Toxicology Infrastructure
Through columns and academic outreach, he emphasizes the role of analytical toxicology in strengthening justice systems. This includes improving methods for detecting chemical warfare agents, industrial poisons, and environmental contamination that present immediate risks to public safety.
The Poisonous Plants Project
Dr. Kabera continues to expand regional data on dangerous flora. By documenting the chemical profiles of indigenous poisonous plants, his team equips law enforcement and health professionals with the tools to recognize and handle accidental or intentional poisonings quickly.
Professional Role
Dr. Justin Kabera leads the Chemistry Division at the Rwanda Forensic Institute, where he oversees laboratory analyses that support criminal investigations. His work contributes to scientific evidence used in Rwanda’s justice system.
Areas of Work
His division deals with several forensic and analytical tasks, including:
Chemical analysis of forensic samples conducted under two Units: Toxicology and Blood Alcohol Unit, and Drug Chemistry Unit.
Evidence management and chain-of-custody procedures within the Division.
These analyses help investigators solve criminal cases and provide scientific evidence in courts.
Professional Contributions
Participates in training programs for investigators, prosecutors, and judges on forensic sample collection and evidence handling.
Supports law enforcement and judicial institutions with scientific expertise in criminal investigations.
Contributes to expanding forensic services and solving criminal cases in Rwanda.
Core Research Interests
Dr. Kabera's scientific contributions span two major areas:
Forensic Toxicology & Poisonous Plants: Following his government appointment, his research pivoted toward analyzing toxic phytochemicals and poisonous plants native to East Africa to assist judicial and forensic investigations.
Natural Products & Phytodrugs: He has spent decades exploring the chemical composition, essential oils, and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants aimed at developing plant-based antibiotics.
Professional Memberships & Networks
Dr. Kabera is integrated into global and regional chemical societies:
Active member of the African Forensic Science Academy (AFSA)
Active Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Active Member of the Commonwealth Chemistry
SSP Dr. Etienne Ntezimana
Legal Medecine Division Manager