At least 957 public servants from different institutions graduated from the Public Servant Induction Programme aimed at harnessing their understanding and commitment towards national development.

The graduation ceremony, held on December 15 at Rwanda Military Academy (RMA) in Gako, brought together high-ranking government and military officials to mark the closing of the inaugural five-week long programme.

During the training, participants delved into different interconnected sessions including Rwanda’s liberation and transformation journey, Vision 2050, the private sector and National Strategy of Transformation (NST2), public service culture, ethics, and values, as well as regional and international dynamics and their implication on Rwanda’s development.

Amb Christine Nkulikiyinka, Minister of Labour and Public Service, said the programme was launched to cultivate a public service workforce that delivers with excellence, embodies the spirit of Team Rwanda, and that will ensure the achievement of Rwanda's Vision 2050.

"Our goal is to transform Rwanda's public service into a cohesive, empowered and networked entity of Rwandan citizens with distinction.”

According to her, the participants’ feedback reflects a renewed sense of purpose, pride, and preparedness, as well as an understanding of the profound responsibility and honor of serving as custodians of the nation's progress.

"Strive to lead with integrity, collaborate with your peers, and serve with humility and excellence. You are the guardians of a civil service that will prepare Rwanda towards the realization of Vision 2050,” she tasked the public servants.

Denise Kaneza, an employee at Rwanda Cooperative Agency, was part of the fourth cohort in the induction programme where she said to have learned a lot including Rwanda’s transformation journey and the sacrifices it rests upon, highlighting that this is what needs to be done continuously as the country sets to achieve vision 2050.

"We were reminded that we are public servants and not workers, we serve the people with following generations in mind. It is a service done with confidence but humility.”

She noted that another important thing they learned is discipline and unleashing the ability to perform tasks efficiently within a limited time. Going forward, she said the values of teamwork and working towards purpose with passion for the people they serve, will be guiding steps in her day-to-day work.

Brig Gen Franco Rutagengwa, Commandant of RMA-Gako, said that this program was designed not only to enhance the participants' competencies, but also to mold them into leaders who drive innovation, promote excellence, and contribute to the progress of the country.

"As members of the public service, you are the heartbeat of this nation. Rwanda’s success depends on your commitment, service, your capacity to adapt the evolving needs of our society and your ability to make informed decisions that will benefit our people.”

He reminded the graduates that this is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning, growth, and leadership in service to the people of Rwanda, while carrying forward the values of excellence, accountability, and innovation they learnt throughout the programme.

Delivering her remarks as the guest speaker, Dr. Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, said that there is a need to recognize that as much as President Paul Kagame and other political leaders can set the agenda, the country's progress depends on its public servants translating that vision into reality.

She noted that the public servants have become the backbone of the country’s re-establishment over the past 30 years and the architects of the nation’s development.

"Whether it is declines in maternal and child mortality or the dramatic improvements in our infrastructure, growing private sector investments or tourism industry, the accomplishments we stand on today are due to you and your predecessor's commitments and determination.”

However, she acknowledged that there is much more to be done to strengthen public service, pointing out that the thorn in the side remains the unnecessary bureaucracy witnessed across institutions.

"I think that what's holding Rwanda back is the protocol. The time we spend holding each other, your honor, your excellency, instead of really breaking barriers if something is not done, I can assure you neither the justice system nor President Kagame will fail you if you take a risk to fix something that you see is wrong and you have gotten in trouble.”

She charged the graduates to be risk-takers, diagnose the root causes of problems and identify and implement long-term solutions, not just quick band-aids.

"Our shared future depends on each of us taking responsibility for the national strategy for transformation, Vision 2035 and Vision 2050, and not just having them on paper, but implementing them...that will require more than just following what's written in your job description. It requires breaking out silos, seeing connections between your work and other institutions and ministries.”