A Bipartisan Congressional delegation from the United States of America, led by Senator Chris Coons of Delaware who are in Rwanda for a three-day visit, visited Rwanda Military Hospital on 26 August 2015. They toured the Hospital and witnessed projects under the defense and military partnership between Rwanda and United States of America.The delegation accompanied by US Ambassador to Rwanda, H.E Erica J. Barks-Ruggles was hosted and briefed by Rwanda Defense Minister, Hon Gen James Kabarebe on Rwanda s contribution to international peacekeeping operations before touring some departments of Rwanda Military Hospital.

After the tour, United States Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), underlined that they visited because they respect Rwanda s efforts and value the US partnership with Rwanda. 

We have come because we do so much respect the work you are doing here and value the partnership of United States with you, we really appreciate the education and future relationship, the US Senator concluded.

The Minister of Defense, Gen James Kabarebe told the US congressional delegation that Military Cooperation between Rwanda and United States helped in the professionalization of the RDF which contributed in the Post conflict recovery and development of Rwanda as well as to international peacekeeping operations. 

The Rwanda-USA partnership in peacekeeping is the ideal model of giving capacity to African militaries, to be able to address the security challenges facing Africa, he said.

The US Congressional delegation were given a demonstration in trauma counseling, were briefed on HIV/AIDs prevention, the use of new male circumcision techniques using PrePex device and toured modern laboratory facilities at Rwanda Military Hospital. 

The United States has been one of the key partners of Rwanda Defense Force. Rwanda is currently the fifth biggest Troop and Police Contributing Country in UN Peacekeeping missions. Rwanda Defense Force has more than 5000 military personnel deployed in UNAMID in Sudan, UNMISS in S. Sudan and MINUSCA in Central African Republic, including an Aviation Unit in UNMISS and a Level Two Hospital in MINUSCA.