President Paul Kagame urged Rwandans, especially young people, to remain resilient and patient during difficult times while emphasizing the importance of family unity at the annual National Prayer Breakfast Sunday.
The event, organized by Rwanda Leaders Fellowship, coincided with the 32nd commemoration of National Heroes Day, a national holiday that honors those who sacrificed for the country’s freedom and development.
Kagame said the day’s message of resilience was inspired by a sermon in which the guest preacher shared how his parents lived in poverty but maintained a strong determination to improve their lives. The president said his own family background was different, noting that he was not born in poverty, but later experienced hardship during exile.
“I was not born starving because my home was not poor,” Kagame said. “But during exile, we faced hunger and had to rely on food aid.”
Kagame said he shared the story to highlight that perseverance can lead to success. He praised Rwandans for enduring hardship and working together to rebuild the nation, which has since made significant development gains.
The president also addressed growing concerns over family breakdowns, particularly couples who separate soon after marriage. He questioned how such relationships could fail so quickly and urged families to apply moral teachings in their daily lives.
“If you truly believe in God and prayer, then you should seek answers in prayer and find them,” he said. “If we hear teachings every morning, why can’t those teachings help us overcome anger and restore unity in our families and in the country?”
Kagame said national progress is built on the strength of individuals and families.
“If we are not well as individuals, our families cannot be well,” he said. “If individuals and families are not well, I don’t see how the country can prosper.”
The president also said Heroes Day is a reminder of Rwanda’s difficult past and the sacrifices that shaped its present.
“Why do we have Heroes Day? Because every nation has gone through difficult times and extraordinary events that created a path for progress,” he said. “This is a moment to reflect on the hard times we endured, where we are now, and what we expect for the future.”
Earlier Sunday, Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame laid flowers at the Monument of Heroism at Remera to honor national heroes. The prayer event was attended by senior government officials and foreign guests.
Rwanda’s Heroes Day this year carries the theme: “Heroism and Unity of Rwandans, Pillars of Development.”
