The Head of State was delivering remarks at the 28th National Prayer Breakfast on Sunday 15th January 2023.

The annual National Prayer Breakfast is organized by Rwanda Leaders Fellowship and brings together government officials, the private sector and members of civil society, to thank God for Rwanda’s achievements over the past year and to launch a new initiative.

In his speech, the Head of State thanked participants and organizers for being part of the much needed event to share breakfast and pray for the country, and shed light on its essence.

He said that praying involves many things. Among them, he highlighted that it reminds people of who they are as humans.

“This prayer must be associated with what you believe what you want to be and the purpose of life,” said Kagame.

“Prayer is not just an end in itself. This means, what we want to achieve through our actions, beliefs and differences but we also have what unites us. This means, there are cultures, behaviors, and mindsets that should define us,” he added.

Kagame has however stressed that people will always question what a person is doing and stressed the need to carry one’s burden with a certain objective.

“People will say, Kagame, is Rwanda’s leader but is he doing the right thing? That must be always there. [..] There will be questions raised; there will be judgment in people’s mind that that person is not fit. He tells us this, but does the opposite or does what he says align with people’s vision?” he disclosed.

“[..] We must carry the burden of responsibility, of where we can carry people with us toward a certain end, objective. And actually it is everybody’s responsibility, in your own way, level. You want to try to do that, you want to try to be leader moving from a certain point to another point that serves the purpose.”

The Head of State observed that such burden must be there and questions but highlighted that leaders must be there to find solutions or answers to those questions being raised.

“So the prayer, thanking, praying, is towards that point saying this is where we want to be as people. The rest is just about organizations helping us to get there,” he noted.

Kagame also underscored that everyone has unique strength but highlighted that people have to work collectively if they are to move where they want to be.

“We are one country and must have the other burden of responsibility. Everyone has own share to be able to move where we want to be as fast as we can. […] This has to be consistent and we need to avoid complacency to put things in the right direction,” he stated.

The President also stressed the need for people to strive for harmony irrespective of their geographical limits. He concluded his remarks urging Rwandans to identify their priorities, strive for development, carry their own burden and leave a good legacy.

President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to concert efforts if they are to achieve development goals and leave a good legacy.