Keypoints:
- Kagame halts address, orders officials to stand
- Warns against inefficiency and misuse of state resources
- Urges resignation for underperforming public servants
RWANDA’S President, Paul Kagame, publicly reprimanded senior government officials during a high-level meeting on March 23, 2026, halting his address to order some attendees to stand after accusing them of inattention.
The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, took place at the Rwanda Military Academy in the country’s Eastern Province, where national and local government leaders had gathered for a governance review session.
Leadership message underscores accountability push
The moment reflects growing pressure within Rwanda’s leadership to enforce discipline, efficiency, and accountability across public institutions, as the government seeks to sustain its reputation for strong governance while addressing persistent concerns about implementation gaps.
Kagame’s hardline tone echoes broader regional tensions and scrutiny over Rwanda’s governance and security posture, including its role in eastern Congo, as explored in this Africa Briefing analysis.
‘If you are tired, resign’
Visibly frustrated, Kagame told attendees that some were ‘sleeping’ while critical national issues were being discussed.
‘I am speaking and some of you are sleeping. Get up,’ he said in Kinyarwanda, addressing a room that included cabinet ministers, provincial governors, mayors, and heads of state agencies.
He warned that officials unwilling to serve effectively should step aside. ‘If you don’t want to continue serving, resign and engage freely in other things,’ Kagame added, signalling a hardening stance on public service performance.
Concerns over performance and priorities
During his remarks, Kagame outlined a range of recurring weaknesses in Rwanda’s public sector, including repeated institutional errors, weak talent identification, lack of clear strategic priorities, and poor follow-through on government programmes.
He also criticised what he described as the wasteful use of public resources, stressing that inefficiency undermines both policy outcomes and citizen trust.
Even after asking officials to stand, Kagame noted that some remained disengaged, prompting him to question their commitment. ‘What kind of people are you?’ he asked, as the room fell silent.
Warning against self-interest and misuse of power
In a pointed message, the president cautioned officials against prioritising personal gain over national development.
‘The country’s interest is your interest too,’ he said. ‘You cannot work only for your own personal interests and expect the country to benefit, especially if you are using the country’s resources only for your own benefit. This must come to an end.’
Kagame also criticised what he described as an unhealthy attachment to titles and positions of authority, warning against what he called ‘power obsession’.
‘Simply being called a leader, being referred to as “mayor”, and that is where it ends, that must stop,’ he said, linking such attitudes to ‘ubwirasi’—a Kinyarwanda term denoting pride or arrogance.
Meeting aimed at improving service delivery
The gathering, themed ‘Citizen at the Forefront’, was designed to align national and local government operations around improved service delivery and stronger coordination.
Kagame’s remarks also reflect his longstanding warnings about governance failures and instability across the continent, previously outlined in Africa Briefing’s coverage of his views on coups.
Rwanda’s governance model under scrutiny
Kagame, who has led Rwanda for decades, is widely credited with driving the country’s post-genocide recovery and economic transformation, earning praise for his hands-on leadership style.
However, Rwanda’s governance record is increasingly viewed through a geopolitical lens, particularly amid tensions linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo, including disputes over mineral flows as detailed in this report.
Recent signals of potential troop repositioning in the region, reported by Africa Briefing, further highlight the broader context in which Kigali is balancing domestic governance priorities with external pressures.
The country remains a leading investment destination, supported by business-friendly reforms and a reputation for administrative efficiency.
However, Kagame’s remarks underscore a central challenge: sustaining Rwanda’s governance model will depend not only on strong policy frameworks, but also on consistent execution and accountability across all levels of government.
