President Paul Kagame on Monday reminded newly sworn-in government officials that taking an oath of office is not a mere formality but a binding commitment that must be reflected through tangible results and accountability to citizens.
The ceremony, held at Village Urugwiro, saw three officials take their oaths: Juvenal Marizamunda, Minister of Defence; Consolée Uwimana, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion; and Yves Iradukunda, Minister of State in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation.
Marizamunda and Uwimana had missed the July 25 swearing-in of the new cabinet due to official duties abroad, while Iradukunda was appointed to his post on September 18.
President Kagame told the officials that leadership requires commitment and integrity, emphasizing that the act of taking an oath should be followed by service and responsibility.
“Taking an oath is not just a ritual that ends the moment it happens,” Kagame said. “It must be followed by actions that show dedication to what you have sworn to do. We know where we come from, where we are, and where we want to go.”
The president said while it is normal for people to make mistakes, leaders should not repeat them, as doing so undermines public trust.
“People make mistakes as human beings, but repeating the same mistakes becomes another problem — a disease that needs treatment,” Kagame noted. “We must learn from our errors and improve continuously.”
He stressed that public service is about serving citizens, not personal interests.
“The most important thing is to understand the weight of responsibility,” he said. “We work for Rwandans and for our country, not for ourselves. When the country does well, everyone benefits.”
Kagame also reminded leaders that most problems arise from within rather than outside influences.
“Many challenges do not come from the outside — they come from us,” he said. “If you don’t fight and overcome your inner weaknesses, you create problems not only for yourself but for the whole country.”
The president commended the newly sworn-in officials and urged them to collaborate closely with others to achieve national goals.
He further observed that the ministries represented — Defence, ICT and Innovation, and Gender and Family Promotion — are central to Rwanda’s development, linking security, technology, and social welfare.
“These ministries reflect key aspects of what drives our nation forward,” Kagame said. “Security, innovation, and family welfare are at the heart of our progress.”
Kagame concluded by urging all government leaders, both new and serving, to translate their oaths into results that advance the country’s vision.
