President Paul Kagame, on Friday, June 14, warned newly appointed officials in cabinet and government agencies against arrogance and isolation as that hinders the fulfillment of their responsibilities and the country’s progress in general.
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That was as the newly appointed ministers and other government officials took oath of office in a ceremony held at Parliament.
President Kagame made changes in Cabinet and in government agencies, earlier on Wednesday, appointing, among others, Amb Olivier Nduhungirehe the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, replacing Dr Vincent Biruta.
The latter was appointed Minister for Interior, replacing Alfred Gasana who was named Rwanda's envoy in The Hague, where he replaces Nduhungirehe.
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Officials who took oath also include Aimable Havugiyaremye, Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Angelique Habyarimana, Prosecutor General at the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), Maj Gen Ephraim Rurangwa, Chief of Staff of the Medical Health Service, and his deputy, Brig Gen Dr John Nkurikiye.
In his remarks, the Head of State told the officials that the responsibilities they are assuming might seem easy but the contrary is noticed when it comes to action.
He urged leaders to be exemplary to the people they lead and the young people who are growing up in the country.
Leaders, he said, should be able to take sound and firm decisions.
"An indecisive leader will only fulfill little of their responsibilities. Serving your duties should be done quickly without complacency. You cannot wait to be reminded what you should do as we often see,” he said, pointing out that there are some leaders who think someone is in charge of reminding them.
Kagame noted that the issue isn’t about leaders who ask for forgiveness for not fulfilling some of their tasks, but the time wasted which would have been optimized to carry out their duties.
He said that leaders should go beyond thinking about themselves to give more attention to their responsibilities and the reason for being in a leadership position which is to serve the people.
"The sense of ego and arrogance that results into self-isolation and not talking to other people for collaboration because everyone has a role to play, has to be fully eradicated.”
According to him, this makes the country stagnant in its development journey, and it seems as if there are people who are satisfied with the current progress and are always waiting for pity and aid.
"Throughout the past 30 years, the mindset should have shifted from this kind of thinking. If someone is to provide support, it should find you at a certain level of progress not to help you out from scratch.”
He added that the officials should understand that no one is static in a leadership position and anyone can be replaced. This should guide them into using their roles and abilities to serve properly for the people’s well-being.
Kagame also presided over the dissolving of the lower house of parliament, ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled mid next month.