Kigali – President Paul Kagame has cautioned against political ambitions driven by personal interests or external influence, using the examples of several former senior Rwandan officials whom he said once viewed themselves—or were encouraged by others to view themselves—as potential national leaders while ultimately pursuing agendas that could have harmed the country’s progress.
The remarks were delivered during a symposium at Intare Arena focusing on the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the liberation struggle that brought an end to the genocide. The event brought together President Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, members of Unity Club, senior government officials, and other invited guests to reflect on Rwanda’s journey of reconstruction, reconciliation, and national unity.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s post-genocide history, President Kagame said some individuals who once occupied influential positions in government or maintained close ties to the country’s leadership later aligned themselves with people outside Rwanda who, according to him, sought to weaken the nation. He described how certain officials were repeatedly approached by foreign actors who encouraged them to believe they could become president, suggesting that the same promises were made simultaneously to multiple individuals.
President Kagame emphasized that there is nothing inherently wrong with aspiring to high public office. He noted that every citizen has the right to dream of serving their country in leadership positions. However, he stressed that such ambitions become dangerous when they are pursued through betrayal, manipulation, or efforts aimed at destabilizing the nation rather than advancing its interests.
In his remarks, President Kagame specifically referred to former senior officials including Kayumba Nyamwasa, the late Patrick Karegeya, Théogène Rudasingwa, and others, saying they were among those who at one point viewed themselves, or were viewed by supporters abroad, as potential presidential candidates. He argued that while political aspirations themselves are legitimate, the concern arose when those ambitions were tied to plans that, in his view, would have reversed Rwanda’s progress and undermined national stability.
President Kagame also warned against attempts by private interests to influence state institutions for personal gain. He said leadership should never become subject to the wishes of businessmen, pressure groups, or foreign actors seeking to dictate appointments or public policy. According to him, governance in today’s Rwanda is built on institutions rather than the interests of individuals, and public office should serve the nation rather than private agendas.
Speaking about Rwanda’s political development, President Kagame said the country’s modern governance system is designed to prevent the recurrence of practices in which powerful individuals could manipulate state decisions for their own benefit. He maintained that anyone seeking public leadership should do so transparently, constitutionally, and with the country’s interests at the forefront.
The President also reflected on the role of Unity Club in Rwanda’s reconciliation process, describing the organization as an important platform that has helped many Rwandans move beyond painful experiences and destructive ways of thinking inherited from the country’s tragic past. He said its work has encouraged individuals to let go of attitudes that could divide society and instead embrace reconciliation, personal transformation, and national unity.
Concluding his address, President Kagame said Rwanda’s continued progress depends on citizens who are willing to reject destructive ideologies and place the country’s long-term interests above personal ambitions. He added that genuine change begins when individuals abandon harmful mindsets, describing that process as both personally liberating and beneficial to society as a whole.
The symposium formed part of ongoing national efforts to preserve the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, strengthen unity among Rwandans, and reinforce the values that have guided the country’s reconstruction over the past three decades.
