President Paul Kagame has called on newly appointed government officials to serve with responsibility and diligence, reminding them that their roles demand careful execution to ensure the well-being of all Rwandans.

He made the remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for new ministers and senior officials held on Saturday, October 19, at Urugwiro Village.

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The ceremony followed the appointments made during a Cabinet meeting on Friday, October 18.

Among those sworn in were Dr. Patrice Mugenzi, the new Minister of Local Government, and Dr. Mark Bagabe Cyubahiro, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

They were joined by Bonaventure Ruberwa, the new Deputy Prosecutor General, and Major General Alex Kagame, who was appointed Commander of the Reserve Force.

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In his address, President Kagame emphasized that public service is not just about holding a position but about fulfilling duties with integrity and keeping the interests of the nation at the forefront. He reminded the officials that their responsibilities are significant and require thoroughness and thoughtfulness.

"These responsibilities demand that we serve all Rwandans, ensuring no one is left behind,” Kagame said. He further urged the leaders to work within the country’s available resources while seeking innovative solutions to meet national challenges.

The President highlighted the danger of leaders prioritizing personal interests over public duty. He warned against the tendency of officials focusing on their own gains once in office, rather than delivering on the promises made to serve the people.

"We’ve seen it happen before: people take office fully capable and committed, but after a while, they start putting their own interests first, neglecting the responsibility they swore to fulfill for the nation,” Kagame cautioned.

He stressed that Rwanda has been fighting this tendency for the last 30 years, though progress has been made, and such behaviors are no longer widespread.

Kagame reminded the officials that leadership success is closely tied to the performance of those they oversee, urging them to track the work being done in their respective departments.

"A leader cannot perform well in isolation,” he noted, adding that it is essential for officials to ensure their teams are aligned with the nation’s goals.

Kagame also warned against decision-making paralysis, where officials hesitate to act out of fear of making mistakes. He pointed out that such indecision could hinder the progress Rwanda has worked so hard to achieve.

"We can’t afford to keep taking one step forward and two steps back. Decisive action is necessary to keep moving forward,” he said.