Kigali, Rwanda – As the 20th edition of Umushyikirano opens, Rwanda’s flagship national dialogue has once again been framed as both a mirror and a compass for the country’s future.
Addressing delegates, citizens and leaders from across Rwanda and the diaspora, President Paul Kagame set a firm tone, urging deeper self-reliance, uncompromising accountability in leadership and a resolute defence of national security and dignity.
Reflecting on two decades of Umushyikirano, Kagame described the forum as a living process rather than a ceremonial event. Each edition, he said, builds on the last, refining national priorities and translating dialogue into action.
In his words, Umushyikirano has consistently helped the country “move from discussion to decision, and from decision to progress.”
He noted that Rwanda’s development gains are visible and measurable, particularly in poverty reduction and the growing number of citizens able to stand on their own economically.
Yet he cautioned that progress should never breed comfort. “What we have achieved matters, but it is not enough. For a country like ours, the only option is to keep moving forward, and to do so by our own effort,” ” Kagame said.
Leadership, work ethic and accountability
According to Kagame, responsibility is non-negotiable as leadership in public spaces demands sacrifice, discipline and constant effort, especially because citizens are watching and depending on them.
Drawing parallels with countries often seen as models of development, the Head if State explained that every society that is admired today earned its progress through hard work and persistence.
He stressed that accountability must remain the backbone of governance, warning against lax planning, weak coordination and poor follow-up on public projects. Such failures, he said, drain public trust and resources.
“Every assignment and every public resource must be accounted for. Where there is misuse, there must be consequences. That culture must be strengthened, not relaxed,” Kagame stated.
The President also criticized lapses in service delivery, citing recent instances where citizens were left stranded because officials abandoned their duties for personal convenience during the festive season.
He described such behaviour as unacceptable in a country striving for high standards of public service.
Self-reliance at home, firmness beyond borders
Beyond domestic governance, President Kagame addressed Rwanda’s regional security concerns, particularly in relation to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi.
He firmly rejected accusations that Rwanda is responsible for instability in eastern Congo, insisting that the roots of the conflict lie elsewhere.
“The wars in Congo did not begin with Rwanda, and they did not come from Rwanda,” he said, pointing instead to the continued presence of genocidal forces and ideology that directly threaten Rwanda’s security.
Kagame dismissed claims that Rwanda’s interest in DRC is driven by minerals or territorial ambition, arguing that such narratives deliberately ignore the real drivers of the conflict.
While acknowledging that external actors can play a constructive role, Kagame warned against situations where the same actors contribute to problems and then shift blame onto Rwanda.
“We will take responsibility for our own challenges but we will not carry the burden of other people’s failures” he said.
For citizens and leaders alike, Umushikirano remains a reminder that progress is a collective task, and that the future will be shaped by choices made, owned and defended at home.
