Kigali, Rwanda – The 17th Congress of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF–Inkotanyi), held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the party headquarters in Kigali, unfolded as moment of reckoning, reflection, and recommitment.
Addressing over 2,200 party members and invited guests, President Paul Kagame delivered a firm and far-reaching message on leadership, governance, unity, and the enduring social contract between the state and its citizens.
Speaking both as Head of State and Chairman of the RPF, Kagame framed the congress as a space not only for organizational renewal, but also for confronting uncomfortable truths about public service delivery, corruption, and the ethics of leadership.
The President emphasized that such congresses are not ceremonial pauses, but opportunities to strengthen both the party and the nation. “These are moments for leaders to reflect honestly on their responsibilities and on the challenges that persist in governance,” he said.
Kagame called for a culture of open dialogue within the party, where members speak candidly about what they understand, what they struggle with, and what must change.
In his words, discussions should not end in the conference hall but should “stay with us so that we use them to build ourselves and to build our country.”
Leadership, power, and the right to services
Kagame delivered one of his strongest warnings to leaders who treat public office as privilege rather than responsibility. He stressed that leadership positions can easily blind those who hold them, insulating them from the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens.
“When that happens, service delivery suffers, and frustration grows. As leaders, we should remember that we have responsibilities. People shouldn’t beg us for services; everybody has a right to demand,” he said.
He described familiar scenes reported by citizens across the country such as people arriving at public offices only to be ignored, met with indifference, or insulted, while officials remain absorbed in their phones or dismiss them with excuses.
Kagame questioned why such behaviour is tolerated, warning that it erodes trust and dignity. He gave examples as a reminder that leadership failures must carry consequences.
To underline accountability, he cited the recent dismissal of Kayonza district Mayor John Bosco Nyemazi and two vice mayors, following persistent failures in service delivery and inadequate responses to citizens’ challenges, including those caused by prolonged drought.
Kagame also pointed to long-standing infrastructure concerns, such as the Rusizi–Bugarama road, which residents have complained about since 2017. He rejected explanations rooted in misplaced priorities.
He firmly stated that Priorities aren’t personal. “They’re for the country. Decisions should be made for the whole country,” he noted.
Governance, corruption, and consequences
The President was equally direct on corruption, describing its continued presence in governance as unacceptable after 38 years of RPF leadership. Fighting corruption, he stressed, is not a temporary policy but a foundational principle.
“The idea of fighting corruption from 38 years ago cannot suddenly change. What can change is the method we use to fight it. But fighting corruption does not change,” Kagame said.
He acknowledged that organizations and societies must adapt to changing times, but insisted that core values must remain intact. Over the years, he noted, some individuals have failed to move with the guiding principles of the RPF and have “lost their way” but it must not derail the party’s mission.
In one of the most striking passages of his address, Kagame warned of the risks of ignoring citizens’ needs. He said a time could come when people, denied services and dignity, might resort to force.
“There are moments when citizens feel like picking up sticks because they are asking for what is rightfully theirs and getting nothing. Such anger is not born out of defiance, but out of neglect,” he observed.
Youth and the right to demand
President Kagame also addressed the growing visibility of young people, often described as Gen Z, who are increasingly vocal in demanding accountability and rights. Far from condemning this trend, he recognized it as legitimate.
“Isn’t that how it should be? They should demand. the party’s struggle was rooted in the belief that people must fight for what they are owed. Giving me my rights is not something I should have to beg for on my knees.” Kagame said, drawing parallels with the history of the RPF itself.
He added that if citizens stand up and say leaders have failed them, that message should be heard and understood. Leaders, he warned, should not wait until people are forced to demand by pressure or confrontation.
Using his own position as an example, Kagame cautioned leaders against becoming detached from reality due to excessive protection and privilege.
“What some people do for me,” he said, “is what every person would want done for them.” That same care, he argued, should extend to every citizen seeking healthcare, education, or basic services.
Unity tested, unity preserved
Beyond governance, Kagame addressed Rwanda’s political resilience and unity. He said repeated attempts by outsiders to divide Rwandans through divisive politics have failed, largely because of the unity forged after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“The first place where those who seek to destroy us have failed is with our citizens. They tried to divide Rwandans again, but our people resisted,” he said.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s painful history, Kagame praised the collective resolve that has allowed the country to move forward. “I do not know of any nation with citizens better than ours,” he said, noting that Rwanda’s strength lies in a shared determination never to return to division and violence.
At the 17th RPF congress it was resolved that leadership must be grounded in service, accountability and unity through fairness and inclusion. Above all, citizens must never be placed in a position where they feel compelled to beg for what is already theirs by right.
