President Paul Kagame yesterday officiated at the graduation of 528 officer cadets at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.

After the commissioning the officers, whom he promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, the Head of State urged them to always fight for peace, dignity, and respect of the rule of law in the country and abroad.

"The army we are building has to be able to fight any war that is necessary and fight for peace when necessary,” Kagame said.

Encouraging the officers to fight for dignity, President Kagame said the dignity of a country is hard earned and must be worked for.

"The country’s dignity is precious; you have to fight for it. No one will be merciful enough to freely give you the country’s dignity; you have to fight for it. You have to fight in order to get peace and protect it,” he said.

The primary mission of Rwanda Military Academy in Gako is to develop young military leaders through multidisciplinary training that enables them to inspire, motivate, and effectively command men and women in times of war and peace.

The officers were trained for a year, learning how to be decision-makers, managers, and supervisors of subordinates in almost every occupational specialty.

According to the Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Maj Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, the officer cadets, who included 60 women officers, went through a competitive and rigorous physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral military training programme and have demonstrated exemplary physical and mental ability.

"I am pleased to mention that the training programme ended successfully and yielded positive and critical results among which include character development, professionalism, and academic development,” Gen Kazura said.

President Kagame warned the graduating officers against betraying the country and their own oaths, reminding them that anyone who betrays the law will face its long arm.

"Those who betray their country and hide behind those willing to violate their own laws will one day have to face justice,” he said.

At the graduation ceremony, best officer cadets were also recognised, with Claude Mberabagabo emerging the best officer cadet of the intake, winning himself a certificate, a sword, and a medal.

Jean Marie Vianney Ufitinema was the second best officer cadet, while Augustin Kayiranga emerged the third best in the intake.

Yesterday’s graduation of officer cadets at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako was the fifth intake after four other promotions of officer cadet trainings were completed at the academy.