President Paul Kagame called on participants of the 17th Umushyikirano to not only reflect on achievements but strive to deliver more for the citizens of Rwanda.

The President was closing the 2nd day of the 17th National Umushyikirano Council that began Thursday, December 19 at Kigali Convention Center.

Kagame remarked that this year’s Umushyikirano demonstrated that Rwanda is on the right track but there was need to keep up the momentum.

"We are on the right journey, but the current achievements should be built on to ensure a better Rwanda in the future,” he said.

The President also tipped leaders on the value of understanding their responsibilities, adding that collective accountability efforts would push the current achievements even further.

"If we put our efforts together, we will get further and achieve more,” he said.

He emphasized that during the discussions held throughout the course of the Umushyikirano, it was clear that Rwandans want more for their future.

2020 will be an even better year

Ending his address, Kagame said that 2019 has been a prosperous year.  

"I believed that 2019 would be a good year. Now that it is ending, 2020 is likely to be even better,” he said.

This year’s Umushyikirano brought together close to 5,000 participants who were gathered at the Kigali Convention Center, the Intare Conference Arena as well as various sites in Burera, Nyagatare, Nyamagabe and Rusizi districts.

Day 2 of Umushyikirano revolved around upholding and building family values.  

As provided by the constitution amended in 2015, the Head of State is expected to chair the National Umushyikirano Council.

Umushyikirano was launched in 2003. It is one of Rwanda’s Home Grown Solutions that brings together the President, leaders of institutions together with the public to discuss issues relating to the state of the nation.

Resolutions of this Council are submitted to relevant institutions to enable them to improve their service delivery to the population.