The 20th National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) officially opened in Kigali on 5 February 2026, marking another major milestone in Rwanda’s consultative governance tradition that unites citizens, government officials and civil society to deliberate national priorities and hold leaders accountable. The event — locally known as Inama y’Igihugu y’Umushyikirano — runs through 6 February 2026 at the Parliament Building in Kigali and brings together representatives of central and local government, civil society, media, domestic and diaspora communities, and international partners.
Umushyikirano is rooted in Rwanda’s Constitution (Article 168) and is recognized as a “home‑grown solution” for participatory governance that gives ordinary citizens direct voice in shaping national policy, guiding public sector action and reviewing the nation’s progress over the past year. As one longstanding commentator noted, Umushyikirano provides “a space to exchange ideas, share lived experiences, and question leadership with purpose,” reflecting the forum’s aim of strengthening accountability through citizen engagement.
The Forum’s origins date back to 28 June 2003, and since then it has been held annually to “debate issues relating to the state of the nation, the state of local government and national unity,” with participation open not only in person but also via phone, social media and live broadcast. According to official descriptions, “Each year about one thousand people attend the event in person, while thousands more follow the proceedings through live TV coverage, online and radio,” underscoring the broad reach of the dialogue.
The 20th Umushyikirano comes at a time when Rwandan authorities have been preparing government policy and legislative programmes, with President Paul Kagame’s Cabinet briefing ministers on 28 January 2026 about the dialogue agenda as part of national strategic planning ahead of the sessions. A government communiqué from that meeting noted that officials were updated on preparations for Umushyikirano and on key policy actions — including carbon market rules and labor information systems — that are expected to be discussed during the forum.
Citizen engagement is central to the dialogue’s purpose, as reflected in historical practice:“Rwandans … have the opportunity to raise their concerns with the national and local governments and share ideas on how to better the country,” and the forum has been credited with helping government fine‑tune policy responses on issues like education, health, transport and national unity. Observers note that leaders often use Umushyikirano also to reflect on national challenges and highlight progress on national strategies, making it a key event in Rwanda’s policy cycle.
Traditionally chaired by the President of the Republic, Umushyikirano promotes direct dialogue between citizens and policymakers, and slogans from past sessions — such as leadership calling for constructive citizen input — echo into the 2026 meeting, with the expectation that participants will prioritize both national development goals and immediate public service concerns. Officials emphasize that citizen feedback gathered through this council helps shape annual government priorities and implementation plans.
As the 20th National Dialogue unfolds through 5‑6 February 2026, Rwandan media and civil society are closely following key debates, and public broadcasters are offering ongoing coverage so that Rwandans across all provinces can follow discussions on economic growth, social protection, governance reforms and national unity — all core themes that have defined Umushyikirano since its inception. The council’s outcomes are typically summarized in a report that informs government action plans for the year ahead.
