President Paul Kagame has called on newly appointed public officials to fully understand the seriousness of the oaths they have taken, emphasizing that public service is primarily about serving citizens and improving their well-being.
He made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of several senior government and security officials.
Those sworn in include Damien Murwanashyaka, Minister of Infrastructure; Antoine Marie Kajangwe, Minister of Trade and Industry; Armand Zingiro, Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure; and Col. Claudien Bizimungu, Minister of State in the same ministry.
Others are James Wizeye, Deputy Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS); Judith Mbabazi, Deputy Ombudsman in charge of preventing and combating injustice; and CP Theos Badege, Deputy Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS).
President Kagame said leadership in government is defined by responsibility to citizens, noting that effective service delivery depends not only on competence, but also on a clear understanding of national priorities.
He stressed that being selected for public office should remind leaders that many other capable citizens could have performed the same roles, urging humility and accountability in their work.
Kagame warned that poor leadership has direct consequences on citizens, often long before those responsible feel its effects.
He also cautioned against self-interest and arrogance among public officials, saying government service should not be treated as competition for personal gain.
The President further emphasized that in public service, citizens must always come first, while leaders benefit indirectly from national progress achieved through effective governance.
