President Paul Kagame has called on senior officers of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to lead with courage, sound judgment and a clear sense of purpose, saying these qualities are critical for effective decision-making in complex and high-pressure environments.
He made the remarks on Friday in Nyakinama, Musanze District, during the graduation of 108 senior officers from the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College. The graduates included RDF officers, regional military officers and international partners.
President Kagame congratulated the officers, noting that they joined the programme as experienced professionals but completed it with enhanced knowledge and strengthened leadership capacity.
He said military education equips officers with analytical skills to address complex security challenges, but emphasized that key leadership qualities must also be developed through experience, discipline and personal commitment.
Kagame highlighted courage as a central trait of leadership, saying it enables commanders to make decisions even amid uncertainty and pressure.
He added that courage must be complemented by wisdom, which is built through experience, teamwork, humility and the willingness to learn from mistakes.
The President also stressed the importance of clear purpose, saying it helps leaders remain focused and grounded in their responsibilities. He noted that Rwanda’s mission remains centered on protecting citizens, safeguarding national sovereignty and advancing sustainable development.
He urged the graduating officers to uphold the standards and trust built by the RDF over time, saying the institution’s reputation is rooted in discipline, sacrifice and professionalism.
Kagame also commended the Command and Staff College leadership and instructors for their role in preparing competent leaders for national and international assignments, and appreciated families for their support during the training period.
He concluded by wishing the officers success in their duties and encouraged them to apply their skills to strengthen professionalism, discipline and service within the armed forces.
