He made the remarks on Friday, October 24, 2025, while presiding over the swearing-in of six senators, four of whom are new members, at the Parliamentary Building in Kigali.
President Kagame said Rwanda continues to face numerous challenges, both internal and external, urging citizens to adopt an extraordinary mindset and work ethic in addressing them.
'For Rwanda, even when a neighbour makes mistakes that cause problems, it is Rwanda that gets punished. We are the ones expected to fix them. You must understand this and reflect it in the way you work,' he said. 'We cannot operate in the usual, everyday manner like others who don't face such challenges. We carry a double burden, being accountable for our own issues and those of others.'
The Head of State cautioned against a culture of despair, calling on Rwandans to draw strength from within instead of lamenting or seeking sympathy.
'Instead of sitting in despair or crying out for help, people should find within themselves the strength to confront these challenges,' he noted. 'Injustice against Rwanda is not new; it is part of our history. These are not problems we create, but we are the ones who must face them, and they should not derail us from our path.'
President Kagame emphasised that resilience and self-reliance remain central to Rwanda's development philosophy.
'This requires wisdom and strength, not necessarily physical strength, which we may lack, but strength of spirit and determination,' he said. 'We must use those strengths as best we can.'
He went on to remind citizens that Rwandans should never beg for the right to exist, describing such a mindset as a betrayal of the country's hard-won dignity.
'No one gives us the right to live. We cannot and should not ask anyone for permission to live the way we deserve,' Kagame said. 'A Rwandan who fails to understand that, given our history, has lost sight of our values; there's something wrong. Confrontation is better than begging. Stand firm, face people directly, and tell them what must be said.'
He further underscored that all people are equal, and no one is inherently entitled to dominate or oppress others.
'Those who act otherwise are human beings just like you. No one is created to rule or hurt others. That is Rwanda's political philosophy,' he said. 'Those who fail to understand it, we shall also confront those challenges.'
Among the six senators who took the oath of office, four were appointed by the President of the Republic: Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu and Evode Uwizeyimana, who were reappointed, and newcomers Dr. Valentine Uwamariya and Alfred Gasana. The other two, Dr. Frank Habineza and Alphonse Nkubana, were elected by the Consultative Forum of Political Organisations.
Rania Umutoni
