President Paul Kagame has called on Rwanda’s newly commissioned military officers to carry the nation’s future with discipline, integrity, and a commitment to service, reminding them that the security and progress of the country rest in their hands.
On October 3, 2025, the Head of State, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), presided over the commissioning of 1,029 officer cadets at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.
Among the graduates were 117 women, marking a continued stride in gender inclusion within Rwanda’s security forces.
The ceremony, attended by senior military leaders, government officials, security personnel, and families of the cadets, also coincided with the 25th anniversary of the academy, a landmark institution in shaping Rwanda’s officer corps.
The new officers represented a diverse training background. Of the 1,029 cadets, 557 completed a one-year course, 248 underwent short-term training, 182 completed the four-year Social and Military Sciences program, and 42 trained abroad in partner countries.
The mix, officials noted, reflects Rwanda’s growing emphasis on building a modern, professional army equipped to respond to evolving security challenges both at home and beyond its borders.
In his address, President Kagame emphasized that the RDF’s most important responsibility is to guarantee the peace and safety of Rwanda and its people. He reminded the officers that this duty remains constant regardless of the country’s size or population.
“We want you to protect Rwanda and its people. Rwandans are now more than 14 million, but even if they were only one million, your duty would remain the same, to ensure the country is secure, that it is not violated by those who do not wish it well. Rwanda needs peace,” he said.
The President stressed that the country’s journey is still far from complete, underscoring the need for determination and adaptability from the young officers. He encouraged them to continually seek knowledge and innovation, so they can lead by example in both national defense and development.
“The RDF has played a vital role in building and advancing our country. As you join this profession, that is what the nation expects from you today, and it is what will continue to be expected in the years ahead,” Kagame said.
Beyond defending Rwanda’s borders, Kagame highlighted the RDF’s growing role in international peacekeeping and development, calling on the officers to see their service as a contribution not only to the nation but to the wider world.
He urged them to reflect their sense of duty in both their performance and conduct, stressing that true service means loyalty to the people they come from.
“Serving Rwandans must be your first and primary duty. When you serve Rwandans, the people from whom you come, you are also serving yourselves. This must be reflected in your results, your conduct, and the choices you make, even when no one is watching,” he said.
The President also issued a stern warning against destructive habits such as alcohol abuse and drugs, cautioning that such behaviors could erase years of sacrifice and dishonor the uniform.
“We would not wish for everything you have achieved to become worthless one day because you were overcome by bad habits. Whether such influences come from within the country or outside, they are not behaviors to learn,” he warned.
Kagame reminded the officers that they are now entrusted with the most important asset of the nation, its future. “The future of Rwanda is in your hands. Use your abilities wisely, conduct yourselves well, and always remember that this country expects much from you,” he said.
For the Rwanda, the commissioning of the 12th cohort of graduates from Gako Military Academy is not just a celebration of military training completed, but a reaffirmation of the enduring role the RDF plays in securing peace, driving development, and shaping the country’s future.
