President Paul Kagame has cautioned Rwanda’s newly commissioned military officers against falling into complacency, stressing that despite the country’s progress, much work remains to be done.
Addressing more than 1,000 cadets awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant during the Officer Cadets Commissioning Ceremony in Gako, Bugesera District, Kagame reminded the graduates that Rwanda’s achievements should not be mistaken for the end of its journey.
“No one should think that just because we are making progress, there is room for complacency,” he said. “We are not where we want to be yet, the journey is still long. There is still a lot of work to do, and it still requires your service and resilience.”
The Head of State emphasized that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has been central to the country’s recovery and development, and that the responsibility now falls on the new officers to uphold that legacy.
He underlined that their foremost duty is to serve the Rwandan people with commitment and integrity.
“When you serve Rwandans, the people you come from, your brothers and sisters, you are working for yourself,” he said, urging them to harness their potential for the benefit of the nation.
The ceremony, attended by the First Lady, senior officials and family members of commissioned officers, marked one of the largest commissioning events in recent years, underscoring the growing role of Rwanda’s armed forces in securing national progress.
Kagame’s message to the young officers was clear: Rwanda’s future depends on their discipline, resilience, and refusal to grow complacent.
