President Kagame criticizes leaders’ conduct, urges them to drop arrogance and fulfill their duties
President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has once again criticized some leaders for failing to meet their responsibilities, pointing to poor conductincluding arrogance as a key cause, and stressing that such behavior should no longer be tolerated.
He made these remarks while closing a consultative meeting that brought together central and local government officials at the Gako Military Academy, attended by ministers, district leaders, and other senior officials.
In his address, President Kagame warned that arrogance and poor leadership practices could seriously harm the country, questioning what some leaders base their pride on when they are not delivering on their duties. He urged them to reflect on their performance and assess whether they are truly meeting the expectations of their roles.
He emphasized that accepting a leadership position comes with the obligation to perform effectively, not to neglect responsibilities. Those who feel unable or unwilling to deliver, he said, should step aside rather than continue to slow down progress.
The President also underscored that ignoring citizens’ needs or failing to address issues that directly affect them is a serious failure that should not be treated lightly. He expressed concern that some leaders act without accountability, with little follow-up or scrutiny.
Kagame further pointed to gaps in implementing resolutions made during such meetings, noting that discussions alone are not enough. He stressed the need for clear accountability mechanisms to ensure that agreed actions are actually carried out.
The Minister of Local Government, Dominique Habimana, indicated that leaders would hold regular meetings to follow up on implementation. However, President Kagame responded that meetings alone are insufficient, insisting that there must be clear responsibility for both success and failure.
He cited an example of a water project that was meant to benefit thousands of residents but stalled due to negligence by one individual, warning that it is unacceptable for a single person to hinder a project of such importance.
Kagame also noted that he often sees citizens raising concerns on social media, which he forwards to responsible officials, only to be told they are unaware of the issues,something he described as unacceptable for leaders expected to know what is happening in their areas.
He concluded by stressing that it is unacceptable for wrongdoing to occur in plain sight without anyone speaking out or taking action, urging leaders to take a more active role in solving problems and safeguarding the interests of citizens.