Kigali – President Paul Kagame has outlined a firm vision for Rwanda centered on protecting citizens, strengthening national sovereignty, promoting regional economic development and ensuring that institutions remain accountable for the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Speaking during a press conference on August 24, 2026, President Kagame addressed several major national and regional issues, including the government’s crackdown on substandard alcoholic beverages, Rwanda’s potential participation in a planned Dangote petroleum refinery in Kenya, continuing security concerns surrounding the FDLR in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and recent statements by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
On public health, President Kagame strongly defended government action against manufacturers and distributors of substandard alcoholic beverages, emphasizing that authorities cannot remain passive when dangerous products are associated with the loss of human life. He stressed that protecting the health and lives of Rwandans must come before concerns about factories, employment or commercial losses.
“There are beverages that do not meet even basic quality standards, and they are killing people,” President Kagame said. He emphasized that the problem extends beyond isolated incidents, pointing to reports of significant numbers of deaths linked to dangerous products.
President Kagame challenged the idea that protecting factories and employment should take precedence over public safety. He said economic activity cannot be considered beneficial when the products entering the market threaten the lives of the people the economy is supposed to serve.
“Before we get to the other issues involving factories and employees, we must first address the health of these people,” President Kagame said, questioning the value of industries whose products ultimately cause serious harm to consumers.
His remarks came as the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) investigates factory owners, employees and regulatory officials over alleged involvement in the production or approval of substandard alcoholic beverages. President Kagame said institutions such as the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) exist to ensure that products reaching consumers meet appropriate safety and quality requirements.
While raising concerns about possible misconduct within regulatory institutions, President Kagame acknowledged that those facing allegations must answer for themselves through the justice system. He emphasized that responsibility must be established through the appropriate legal process.
President Kagame also broadened his warning beyond substandard alcohol to include illegal drugs and other dangerous substances affecting young people and adults. He made clear that the government intends to continue confronting individuals and networks involved in activities that threaten public health.
“Regarding that fight, those who hear me—and especially those involved—should be prepared,” President Kagame said. “We are going to confront them. Things will be put in proper order.”
Turning to economic development, President Kagame confirmed Rwanda’s interest in potentially becoming a stakeholder in the planned Dangote petroleum refinery in Kenya, while emphasizing that discussions remain at an early stage and that details are still being considered.
“In one way or another, discussions have taken place, but it is still too early to provide many details,” President Kagame said. “What I can say is that Rwanda would be interested in becoming one of the stakeholders in that investment.”
The proposed refinery, associated with African industrialist Aliko Dangote, is expected to involve approximately $16 billion in investment and could process about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Construction is expected to begin in October 2026. If implemented as planned, the project could strengthen East Africa’s petroleum-processing capacity and contribute to reducing the region’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
President Kagame’s comments demonstrate Rwanda’s willingness to explore major regional investments that could contribute to economic integration, energy security and long-term development across East Africa.
On national security, President Kagame delivered an equally firm message, emphasizing that Rwanda will not seek permission from outside actors to protect its people from threats associated with the FDLR and its partners operating from eastern DRC.
President Kagame said the FDLR issue has remained unresolved for more than three decades despite numerous diplomatic initiatives and international discussions. He questioned why Rwanda should continue carrying the consequences of a security problem that has persisted close to its borders for decades.
“Instead of sanctioning the FDLR or those who work with or support them, they sanction those who fight against them. I do not understand the rationale behind that,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame accused the Congolese government of continuing to cooperate with the FDLR and said evidence and testimony regarding such cooperation have been presented on different occasions. The Congolese government has disputed Rwanda’s broader characterization of the conflict and has made its own accusations concerning Rwanda’s involvement in eastern DRC. President Kagame, however, maintained that Rwanda’s fundamental responsibility is to ensure that security threats originating beyond its borders are not allowed to endanger its population.
“What remains important is how we conduct ourselves,” President Kagame said. “First and foremost, we act in a way that protects us, whatever the cost. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that protection, day or night.”
President Kagame framed Rwanda’s position as the responsibility of a sovereign state rather than a rejection of diplomacy or regional cooperation. He emphasized that Rwanda remains committed to peace and continues working with African countries on peace and security initiatives, while making clear that the pursuit of peace cannot require Rwanda to compromise the safety of its people.
“We do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and we will do so without fear and without asking anyone for permission—day or night, at any time,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame also addressed recent comments by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye concerning individuals accused of participating in the failed May 2015 attempt to remove former Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza from power. President Ndayishimiye had said Burundi was waiting for Rwanda to fulfill what he described as an agreement to transfer those individuals to Bujumbura.
President Kagame categorically rejected the assertion that Rwanda had made such a commitment.
“Let us be clear: Where did that happen, and when did it happen?” President Kagame asked. “There is no promise we made that we failed to fulfill. We made no such promise to the President of Burundi, nor did we make it to anyone else.”
President Kagame went further, suggesting that the alleged agreement may have existed only in President Ndayishimiye’s imagination.
“Perhaps he dreamed about it one night and thought that it had actually happened,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame also recalled security concerns surrounding Burundi’s military deployment in eastern DRC in 2023. He said Rwanda’s intelligence services obtained information concerning the deployment and that he personally contacted President Ndayishimiye seeking clarification. According to President Kagame, President Ndayishimiye denied the information despite Rwanda having received what it considered reliable intelligence.
President Kagame said subsequent developments on the ground, including reports that Burundian soldiers were captured by AFC/M23 forces, contradicted those assurances.
Across the different issues addressed during the press conference, President Kagame presented a consistent governing principle: Rwanda remains open to international cooperation, regional investment and peaceful relations with neighboring countries, but it will not compromise the safety of its citizens, institutional accountability or its responsibility to protect national sovereignty.
From confronting dangerous consumer products and strengthening regulatory accountability to exploring strategic regional investments and responding to cross-border security threats, President Kagame’s message placed the welfare of Rwandans at the center of national decision-making. His remarks reflected a leadership approach that combines economic ambition and regional cooperation with a firm position that Rwanda’s security, stability and the protection of its people remain fundamental national priorities.
