President Paul Kagame called on Rwandans to continue fostering unity and transformation during his speech at the 17th Annual Unity Club Forum held at the Kigali Convention Centre on Saturday. The event brought together government leaders, Unity Club members, youth representatives, and other stakeholders, with First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who serves as the Chairperson of Unity Club Intwararumuri, leading the gathering.
Addressing the participants, President Kagame emphasized the need to move beyond the country’s troubled past and focus on actions that demonstrate Rwanda’s progress over the past 30 years. “When people face challenges like ours or have experienced a history similar to what we have gone through, there must be transformation,” he declared. “We must change in our hearts and in the way we do things. That is what is essential and fundamental so that the history that once defined us disappears, fades away, and vanishes.”
The President stressed that Rwanda’s progress should be evident in the actions and attitudes of its citizens, urging them to continue transforming the lives of their fellow Rwandans. “We must take actions that clearly show everyone that Rwanda is no longer what it was 30 years ago,” he said. “Look at what they [Rwandans] say, look at what they do, and see how they are transforming the lives of their fellow Rwandans. This is critical and cannot be overlooked.”
First Lady Jeannette Kagame, in her capacity as Chairperson, highlighted the critical role of Unity Club in promoting social cohesion and unity. She encouraged members to live by the spirit of “Ndi Umunyarwanda” as a guiding principle, saying, “This spirit should guide our actions and strengthen our sense of shared identity and purpose.”
Addressing persistent negative narratives about Rwanda, President Kagame noted that despite the country’s progress, there are still attempts to tarnish its image. “Even today, if you search the internet, you will still find people speaking ill of Rwanda and its leaders, distorting everything to make it appear negative,” he remarked.
However, he emphasized that a united Rwanda can rise above such criticisms. “When people unite, like what Unity Club represents, it reflects a broader goal for the entire country,” President Kagame stated. “When falsehoods are spread or bad things are said or done to Rwanda, if people are united, driven by the same purpose, and determined to ask, ‘Why? Why do people portray us like this? Why do we allow such things to define us?’ then all those insults and lies become meaningless.”
The Unity Club Forum, held under the theme “Ndi Umunyarwanda: The Guiding Principle of Our Existence,” serves as a platform for fostering unity and dialogue among Rwandans. The event reflects the spirit of collaboration and resilience that has been central to Rwanda’s recovery and growth.
President Kagame’s address was a call to action for Rwandans to continue the work of nation-building with a focus on unity, transformation, and pride in their identity, ensuring that Rwanda’s future is defined not by its past, but by the progress and solidarity of its people.
