Kagame reminded leaders that though results-oriented leadership requires a high level of commitment and discipline, challenges such as the Covid-19 crisis can make their responsibilities heavier, yet offer learning opportunities.
“Difficult times such as these make your work even more challenging. It requires us to work in unconventional ways. But it also teaches us important lessons we can apply in difficult times or in normal times. There is no reason we will not prevail,” he said.
The president added that when leaders take an oath, they commit to working towards transforming the country and that when they accomplish what is expected of them in an exemplary way, Rwandans benefit.
“All of us leaders should always uphold that when it comes to fulfilling our duties in public service, we should not confuse our own interest with that of the country,”
“When you take the oath to fulfill this duty, it means that you accept this heavy responsibility to work for your country and our people and to transform what we have into even more resources,” President Kagame said.
Among the leaders who took oath are Manasseh Nshuti, the State Minister in charge of East African Community Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze the State Minister for Agriculture.
While President Kagame was comforting all Rwandans who were set to start working on Monday but couldn’t due to sudden changes, he urged Rwandans to remain patient and vigilant.
This is following a decision by the government to put on hold plans to reopen more sections of the economy, including travel between provinces and resuming of motorcycle public transportation means, which were supposed to be restored today.
“It is important for citizens to understand the measures that are being taken to fight this virus. What it requires of us is not just to wait for one day or time we can predict, none of us can say we know the date this will end,”
“Things are not only dependent on a set date; it is also dependent on what happens in that time. When there are new developments, we have to re-evaluate if our predictions still stand. That is why we have chosen to take more time,” he said.
He urged all citizens to be patient for a few more days as the situation is reassessed and new measures issued so as to ensure the safety of all people even as the country looks to reopen key segments of the economy that remain closed in averting the spread of COVID-19.
“I ask you to be patient; every institution is working to confront this virus while also finding ways to return to a normal life. We will do everything we can and leave no solution unexplored. I believe that nothing can stand in our way,” President Kagame said.
Kagame thanked Rwandans and the leaders for their continuous cooperation in ensuring that the Covid-19 pandemic is defeated and reminded them to continue working together to completely eliminate the pandemic.
