First Lady Jeannette Kagame has urged young couples to base their marriages on love, describing it as the essential foundation for strong and lasting families.
She made the remarks during a special prayer event organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship at the Kigali Convention Centre on Sunday. The gathering focused on newlyweds and young families, emphasizing the importance of values that strengthen households.
“I am pleased to be with you today as we reflect on the importance of building stable families and remind ourselves of our shared responsibility to protect them,” First Lady Kagame said.
She commended the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship for convening the event, which brought together leaders from business, religious, and community sectors. “I want to commend you for centering today’s prayers on the legacy of building strong, peaceful families, because families are the foundation upon which the church and nation are built,” she said.
Madamu Kagame noted that societal challenges—selfishness, materialism, and declining family values—threaten household stability. She urged couples and parents to prioritize family over celebrations or social pressures. “One reason many families break down is that people invest more in wedding ceremonies than in preparing for family life itself,” she said.
She encouraged couples to reflect on their reasons for marriage. “Ask yourselves: Are we marrying for love, under peer pressure, family expectations, or financial considerations? It is crucial to understand the true reasons for building a home,” she said.
Highlighting the symbolic role of families in the nation, she said: “Our families are Rwanda in miniature and heaven in miniature. Every child born into a family is a child of God, and our responsibility is to build a legacy we can pass on to future generations.”
The First Lady also stressed parental guidance and leadership within families, noting that eldest children often set the example. “Just as eldest children guide the family, young leaders here have a duty to illuminate the path for the country. Your success will light the way for Rwanda,” she said.
She called on couples to practice mutual support and responsibility, emphasizing evolving roles in modern households. Men, she said, should care for pregnant spouses, while women should value their partners’ contributions. “Love is demonstrated through sacrifice, patience, and respect—it is the true source of peace in the home,” she said.
The annual prayers, themed “Our Legacy: Building Development and Stable, Secure Families,” aim to reinforce family-centered values among Rwanda’s youth and leaders.
