From chairing national meetings to hosting foreign leaders, 2023 was an action-packed year for President Paul Kagame both in the country and beyond.
The year started with the head of state chairing a special parliamentary session during which the current Senate president François-Xavier Kalinda was sworn in, replacing Augustin Iyamuremye who had earlier resigned on medical grounds.
The photo collection contains some images not seen before, and captures presidential moments in different settings—hosting foreign dignitaries, and participating in meetings and state visits abroad.
The collection also features light moments as President Kagame joined sports activities including the bi-monthly wellness exercises dubbed car-free day, and attended games like finals of the continental basketball tournament, and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at the iconic BK Arena, among others.
ALL PHOTOS BY VILLAGE URUGWIRO
Light test, light test...
At the start of the year, President Kagame chaired a special sitting of the Senate to elect a new Senate President, Dr. François-Xavier Kalinda on January 9, 2023.
President Kagame attended the 28th National Prayer Breakfast, which featured a sermon by Pastor Yves Castanou of Congo-Brazzaville. | KCC, 15 January 2023
Despite the decline of the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual meetings seem to be an effective trend that is here to stay | Village Urugwiro, 16 January 2023
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame joined Rwandans across Kigali for the first car-free day of the year | Kigali, 22 January 2023
As Rwanda marked the 29th National Heroes Day, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame paid tribute to the brave Rwandan men and women who have displayed exceptional patriotism and sacrifice for the country. | National Heroes Mausoleum, 1 February 2023
President Kagame joined leaders from across the continent for the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, commonly referred to as the AU Summit. | Addis Ababa, 16 February 2023.
The exciting Tour du Rwanda cycling competition concluded with Eritrean cyclist Henok Mulubrhan as overall winner and Tour du Rwanda 2023 Champion. The competition, among the top in the world, brought together 95 riders from 19 teams for an 8-stage competition across Rwanda’s scenic landscapes. | Kigali, 26 February 2023
President Kagame delivered remarks during the 18th edition of Umushyikirano, a national forum gathering Rwandans from across the world to interact with their leaders. | KCC, 27 February 2023
In March 2023, Rwanda made history by hosting the 73rd FIFA Congress, the first one held in East Africa. | Kigali, 14–16 March 2023
President Kagame interacted with over 2,000 Cell Executive Secretaries as they concluded their National Civic Training — Itorero. | Intare Arena, 28 March 2023
As part of the celebration of it’s 35th Anniversary, RPF-Inkotanyi held an International Conference, themed "Reflecting on 35 Years and Beyond”, alongside it’s 16th Congress. President Kagame was re-elected as party Chairman during the 16th Congress. | Intare Arena, 1–2 April 2023
President Kagame hosted President William Ruto of Kenya for a two-day State Visit | Kigali, 4–5 April 2023
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame lit the Flame of Remembrance and laid a wreath in commemoration of the over one million lives lost during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, as Rwanda and the rest of the world marked Kwibuka 29. | Kigali, 7 April 2023
President Kagame met with Matt Harris, who interviewed him on Balancing Growth, Sustainability and Access to Power in Africa during the Columbia Global Energy Summit | New York City, 12 April 2023
On the sidelines of the Colombia Energy Summit, President Kagame met with an engaging group of Rwanda students living in New York. | New York City, 12 April 2023
Leading to a monumental partnership, President Kagame visited the Global Citizen Headquarters in New York for a meeting with Founder and CEO, Hugh Evans and his team. | New York City, 13 April 2023
President Kagame embarked on a four-day visit to Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea Conakry. | 15–18 April 2023
President Kagame joined a number of African leaders for the 6th Transform Africa Summit in Zimbabwe. | Victoria Falls, 26 April 2023
President Kagame was hosted by his Tanzanian counterpart, President Samia Suluhu Hassan for a working visit. | Dar es Salaam, 27 April 2023
As the year progressed, so did the recording of video messages + virtual meetings. | Urugwiro Village, 3 May 2023
After devastation caused by flooding and landslides in areas of Western, Northern and Southern Provinces, President Kagame visited residents of affected districts to assess damage caused and offer support, reassuring residents of the measures put in place to prevent further damage and loss of lives. | Rubavu, 12 May 2023
Rwanda hosted the 3rd edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals, bringing 8 teams from across Africa head-to-head for the BAL Championship. | BK Arena, 20–27 May 2023
President Kagame joined youth from Gasabo District and Basketball Africa League (BAL) delegates for the monthly Umuganda, where they planted 500 trees at Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park. | Nyandungu, 27 May 2023
In what was an eventful day, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame attended the unveiling of the first fully built court in Kimironko, unveiled by BAL in collaboration with Ferwaba and Imbuto Foundation. The unveiling provided the opportunity for fun drills with residents of the Kimironko neighborhood and BAL delegates | Kigali, 27 May 2023
President Kagame hosted President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia for a State Visit, during which the two Heads of State participated in the Inclusive FinTech Forum | Kigali, 20–21 June 2023
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame travelled to Seychelles for a two-day State Visit which coincided with the country’s 47th Anniversary of Independence celebrations. | Victoria, 28 June 2023
The Heads of State and First Ladies were treated to some unexpected entertainment as they waited for the parade to proceed.
Kwibohora 29 Celebration. | KCC, 2 July 2023
Behind the scenes of President Kagame’s live conversation with Jean Pierre Kagabo and Fiona Muthoni as Rwanda marked Kwibohora 29. | Urugwiro Village, 4 July 2023
President Kagame hosted President Katalin Novák of Hungary for her historic first State Visit to Rwanda. This was the first occasion of a Hungarian President visiting Rwanda, marking a milestone in bilateral relations. | Kigali, 16 July 2023
President Kagame alongside his Senegalese counterpart President Macky Sall who was in Rwanda for Women Deliver 2023 Conference. | Kigali, 17 July 2023
Women Deliver 2023 Conference — Opening Ceremony | Kigali, 17 July 2023
During his three-day State Visit, President Kagame gave President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo on a farm tour. | Kibugabuga, 22 July 2023
President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique was also given a farm tour during his visit, where he was gifted Inyambo cows by President Kagame. | Kibugabuga, 29 July 2023
2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Tournament | BK Arena, 30 July — 2 August 2023
Official Visit of President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar | Kigali, 7 August 2023
Giants of Africa Festival Week. President Kagame joined Masai Ujiri for the groundbreaking of Zaria Court, an urban development project focused on community, hospitality, sports and culture, being built as part of Kigali Sports City. | Kigali, 13–19 August 2023
President Kagame, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, witnessed the final field exercise of the Combined Arms Field Training Exercise, code-named "Exercise Hard Punch 04/2023” | Gabiro, 17 August 2023
Thousands of young Rwandan leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators gathered to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of YouthConnekt Rwanda | Intare Arena, 23 August 2023
Closing of the 13th Itorero Indangamirwa, a civic training for youth. | Numb, 25 August 2023
President Kagame participated in an interactive session on "Leadership in Shaping the Future of Pan-Africanism and Integration in a Changing World”, during the Nigerian Governors’ Executive Leadership Retreat, which convened 19 Nigerian State Governors. | Kigali, 26 August 2023
Inaugural Africa Climate Summit | Nairobi, 5 September 2023
78th UN General Assembly Week | New York City, 17–21 September 2023
President Kagame and Professor Jacques Marescaux attended the inauguration ceremony of IRCAD Africa, a leading training facility, training future surgeons in minimally invasive surgery. | Masaka, 7 October 2023
Kwang Mo Koo, Chairman and CEO of LG Corporation demonstrated to President Kagame, the functionality of a portable TV following their meeting with a delegation from LG Corporation. | Kigali, 12 October 2023
16 October 2023, President Kagame met H.E General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions and Transitional President of Gabon. | Urugwiro Village, 16 October 2023
Rwanda hosted the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, the continent’s largest connectivity event. | Kigali, 17 October 2023
President Kagame received Trace Award winners and participants following the momentous Trace Awards and Festival. | Urugwiro Village, 22 October 2023
President Kagame attended the 7th Future Investment initiative, where he took part in a fireside chat with Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute. | Riyadh, 25 October 2023
President waves goodbye to hotel staff after lunch hosted on the sidelines of the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit | 2 November 2023
Staff set table ahead of WTTC lunch.
On the sidelines of the 23rd World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, President Kagame hosted global leaders in attendance to lunch. | KCC, 2 November 2023
23rd WTTC Global Summit in Kigali | KCC, 2 November 2023
Inaugural Saudi-African Summit | Riyadh, 9 November 2023
President Kagame joined global leaders for the UN Climate Change Conference — COP28. | Dubai, 30 November — 1 December 2023
Kendrick Lamar performance at the debut Global Citizen Move Afrika Concert. | BK Arena, 6 December 2023
President Kagame attended the 3rd edition of Hanga Pitchfest, showcasing and rewarding young tech entrepreneurs. | KCC, 8 December 2023
President Kagame and other global leaders attended the inauguration of BioNTech’s Vaccine Manufacturing facility, the first end-to-end mRNA manufacturing facility in Africa. | Special Economic Zone, 18 December 2023
President Kagame addressed guests at an End of Year party. | KCC, 30 December 2023
Hotel staff watch the President’s address on a backstage screens. | KCC, 30 December 2023