President Kagame promises Muslim headquarters land will be allocated this year

The Head of State made the commitment on March 25, 2026, during a meeting with members of the Muslim community, where he reiterated the government’s support for their development initiatives.

“We have a responsibility to support you. That support is there and will be provided,” Kagame said.

The pledge follows earlier commitments dating back to 2011, which had yet to be fully implemented. Kagame acknowledged the delay, describing it as an obligation he intends to fulfill.

“There are things that were promised, and I recently learned they were not handled as they should have been. I take that as a debt that must be settled,” he said.

Reaffirming his position, the President stressed urgency in resolving the matter. “This year will not pass without it being done. It will be resolved. When we meet again, it will not be you asking me, but me asking you what you have done with it,” he added.

Call for shared responsibility in development

The head of state went on to say that after the difficult history that Muslims in Rwanda, and Rwandans in general have endured, now is the time to effect change, with all citizens playing a role in the country’s development.

“It is a path to transform lives, improve governance, and change mindsets so that Rwanda can progress, with every Rwandan contributing and no one being excluded. Many of the things you now value are praised because they did not exist before, but when someone does what is right and expected, it should not require excessive recognition,” Kagame said.

He urged Rwandan Muslims to actively participate in the country’s development initiatives, alongside all other citizens.

“To make change happen, you must also take part. For Rwanda to transform, all Rwandans need to contribute. Regarding religious institutions, it is understandable to set rules for their functioning and for places of worship to fulfill their responsibilities, and everyone should support that. But for things to run smoothly, these institutions themselves must first operate properly and do what is right,” he said.

President Kagame explained that the government has established mechanisms to monitor the functioning of religious institutions to ensure accountability and prevent people from hiding behind them to exploit citizens.

“In Rwanda, our work, our politics, and our governance aim to put things in the right order. No one is denied peace in any way,” he said.

“The measures put in place by government authorities to ensure proper alignment were meant to prevent abuses. This did not apply only to Muslims; it applied to all religions and faith-based institutions… [where some people could sometimes] use religion to pursue personal gain and take advantage of others.”

“It is like putting up barriers, stopping people, deceiving others about who you are, and beginning to take their property… this should never happen in any religion,” he added.

Kagame assured Rwandan Muslims that the history of marginalization and exclusion they have faced, like other Rwandans, will not be repeated.

The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Sindayigaya Musa, expressed gratitude to the President for engaging with the Muslim community and assured that they will continue to play an active role in the country’s development.