First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame has challenged Rwanda’s youth to take the lead in safeguarding peace, preserving national unity, and confronting genocide ideology, describing them as the generation responsible for securing the country’s future.
She delivered the message on Saturday while joining more than 2,000 young people at the Igihango cy’Urungano Youth Forum held at Intare Conference Arena in Kigali as part of activities marking the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The forum brought together youth from across the country under the theme, “Youth, Let Us Fight Genocide Ideology and Promote Unity and Resilience.”
Addressing participants, Mrs. Kagame urged young people to remain committed to protecting the gains Rwanda has achieved and to focus their efforts on building a stronger, more prosperous nation free from division and hatred.
She emphasized that Rwanda’s peace, security, and socio-economic progress should never be taken for granted, noting that the younger generation carries the responsibility of ensuring these achievements endure for future generations.
“You, the youth of today, have a significant responsibility to protect and preserve the peace, security, and well-being that our country enjoys,” she said. “You have a strong foundation on which to build a future that will guarantee lasting stability and prosperity for Rwanda and all Rwandans.”
The First Lady called on young people to place Rwanda’s interests at the center of their aspirations and to contribute actively to the country’s continued development.
She warned that ambitions for a prosperous and globally respected Rwanda cannot coexist with divisionism, genocide ideology, or any form of conduct that undermines national cohesion.
“If we aspire to live in a developed country that others look to as an example, we must reject anything that seeks to divide us or destroy what we have built together,” she told participants.
The forum forms part of ongoing Kwibuka32 activities aimed at honoring young victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi while strengthening awareness among today’s youth about their role in promoting unity, resilience, and responsible citizenship.
The annual gathering has become an important platform for engaging young people in discussions on Rwanda’s history, the dangers of genocide ideology, and the collective responsibility to preserve peace and national unity.
