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The president has said this yesterday as he met with Musanze and Nyabihu residents on the second day his citizen outreach program he is holding in Northern and Western Province.

President Kagame highlighted security is paramount especially in Musanze district receiving a large number of tourists visiting Virunga National Park which is home to gorillas.

“Tourists cannot go to unsafe places. Our security is where we draw a red line. Whoever crosses this line will face consequences. You should not allow anyone from inside or outside the country to jeopardize our security. That is the red line that must not be crossed for us to work and realize the progress we want,” he said.

President Kagame requested citizens to embrace such mindsets and collaborate with security officials to attain it.

He called on residents to improve cleanliness and address malnutrition noting that: “Solving the issue of cleanliness and malnutrition does not require us to wait for outside help. It is a question of mindset. We will keep working to address the challenges you face and look for the resources required to solve them. What I ask of you is your involvement and to work even harder.”

The president made the pledge as he met residents of Musanze and Nyabihu district at the stadium of the University of Rwanda College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, (UR-CAVM) in Busogo as part of ongoing citizen outreach program.

“My commitment to you is to hold accountable those who are not delivering. Next time I visit, you can hold me accountable for it,” said Kagame.

As he arrived at the meeting place, President Kagame held exclusive discussions with leaders before greeting thousands of residents convened in Busoga to welcome him.

He later told them that asbestos roofing sheets covering roofs of UR-CAVM buildings was among issues discussed.

“The first people who are responsible are leaders, it does not absolve citizens from their role in solving their problems but solutions start with leaders. All have been mentioned. Let me start with the issue of the buildings covered with asbestos roofing sheets. We took the decision ten years ago. That is why I summoned leaders to discuss because it is the first thing appearing when you get here,” he said.

Kagame highlighted that reasons for some issues are attributed to the budget problems even those who forgot the situation noting that it is a matter of mindsets.

“The issues we are discussing here are not new and they are not insurmountable. We discuss them, we agree on how they will be solved but when you come back you find the problem has not been solved or has gotten worse.

The issues of hygiene and malnutrition have been also talked about for many years. Solving the issue of cleanliness and malnutrition does not require us to wait for outside help. It is a question of mindset,” he said.

During the interactive session, citizens raised concerns on the poor performance of milk collection centers, problems of seeds shortage, and areas in need of electricity among others.

President Kagame promised a solution but requested them to combine efforts and play an active role in development activities.

She made the call yesterday as she officiated the opening of the two-day National Trauma Symposium that brings together organizations and individuals working in the field of mental health, as well as beneficiaries of existing initiatives in Kigali.

The symposium is part of events marking the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and was themed: “Embracing trauma management from grassroots initiatives to institutional interventions”.

It aimed at giving stakeholders a platform to reflect upon, assess and document best practices, lessons learned and challenges faced during the past 25 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Mrs. Jeannette Kagame said that trauma management should focus on unique aspects of the country’s history.

“Genocide against Tutsi was committed in a specific way. That is why the wounds and trauma, sustained as a consequence, should be treated as special cases supported by knowledge and research,” she said.

The First Lady said that rebuilding a nation whose people were facing different types of mental illnesses as a result of their horrific experiences during the Genocide against the Tutsi was challenging, but it had been achieved by men and women who had put others’ interests above their own.

In partnership with experts dealing with trauma cases, 2000 people were trained in trauma management.

Madam Jeannette Kagame requested that such expertize use existing programs giving people a platform to talk about history.

She said that healing trauma is preparing children who sustained consequences of these wounds to grow with a strong commitment to preventing genocide.

Like the liberation struggle, Jeannette Kagame said, no one should interfere in the war to heal trauma.

The country expects a great contribution from those who studied trauma management. Remember to have attention on a special aspect of Genocide against the Tutsi within your approaches to help trauma victims. ” she said.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame called on members of Rwanda Psychological Society (RPS), together with other partners within the field of trauma and mental health, to collectively find lasting solutions to the issue of trauma, seeking how to establish clinics and private institutions helping trauma management.

She also highlighted the need to delegate a person dealing with trauma in public places like schools and at work

The head of the Mental Health Division at the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Dr. Yvonne Kayiteshonga revealed to participants that although the general population was dealing with various mental health issues, these issues were more prevalent among the survivors.

She specifically pointed out that according to the Rwanda Mental Health Survey (2018) 11.9% of the general public suffers from Major Depressive Episodes, while Genocide survivors affected by this mental disorder make up 35%.

Dr. Kayiteshonga highlighted that 3.6% of the general population are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while Genocide survivors suffering from this disorder came up to 27.9%.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana said that healing trauma takes time because it affects children of genocide survivors.

He lauded f the Government of Rwanda’s efforts dealing with trauma cases, as consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi making the country secured and giving a platform to private organizations to heal genocide wounds.

He has made the observation today as he interacted with residents of Burera district, Northern Province.

The Mayor of Burera district, Florence Uwambajemariya has said that the district has made a considerable step towards the improvement of citizens’ livelihoods and health and other development activities.

She, however, raised some concerns including overcrowding in schools, inadequate workers at health centers and hospitals and the problem of drug abuse and smuggling.

“Citizens wish to get a district hospital because the existing hospital will belong to the university. Citizens wish empowerment of our health posts and upgraded to health centers if possible,” said Uwambajemariya.

“They want a durable solution for ravages caused by water flowing from volcanoes, the introduction of radio network towers where they are not, and ambulances at some health centers,” she added.

President Kagame said that Rwandans know their history upon which they build progress with a view to inclusively and positively change everyone’s life.

“There are still a lot of things within our means that are not done properly. They are repeated over time but never change in accordance with our abilities. That issue must be addressed by all means,” he said.

President Kagame highlighted that Rwandans have no problem because they do the right thing given good leadership. He noted that weak leaders lead to the failure of anticipated results.

“I will find time to deal with those leaders who don’t accomplish what they must deliver to these citizens. I will not dodge around; it will start from top to grass root levels of leadership,” he said.

Kagame explained that there are some rampant problems that should have been addressed before.

“The problem of seeds, whenever I come to Musanze, Burera, they always raise the issue of seeds, Irish potatoes seeds among other crops. It should not be a problem to be repeatedly talked about every day,” he said.

Commenting on the health sector, President Kagame said “There was capacity building. Within examples pointed out across the world with tangible evidence, Rwanda comes among the good examples. But you find some things don’t reach citizens or they are not aware of what is available or don’t access them that they chose to seek services beyond borders. The country has the necessary abilities to offer these services.”

“Taking examples of children crossing borders to get medical circumcision services that started in Rwanda, it is not clear that people cross the border to get things they should access here. It must stop. I don’t have a problem with you (citizens), I have it with leaders. They are going to accomplish their duties or leave and do what they want elsewhere,” added Kagame.

The Minister of Local Government, Prof Shyaka Anastase said that Rwf 5 billion was allocated to fund development activities in Burera district and that the pace of development activities in the district rates between 8-10%.

President Kagame has made the remarks today during his visit to Burera district, Northern Province, where he heard citizens’ concerns and exchange ideas about how to move the country forward.

Burera borders with the Republic of Uganda.

He explained that there is a problem of neighbors who have been on alert to cause problems to Rwanda noting that its citizens have to protect it.

The speech has been delivered at a time when residents of Burera at times seek some services in Uganda.

“We are not slaves of neighbors. Rwanda is not a small country or small people that can be dictated to, but leaders cause problems when they are not watchful. Most of what you go to seek outside the border, even markets, are left here. But leaders go and live in towns, the capital city and think the world ends there,” he said.

President Kagame revealed that someone told him that they cross the border to seek bread and wondered why manufacturers don’t make bread within the district or supply them.

He also talked on children crossing the border to get medical services yet they are available in Rwanda.

During the recent leadership retreat, President Kagame talked about children crossing to get circumcision from Uganda yet some of the techniques to do it was emulated from Rwanda.

Kagame has however said that when leaders don’t bring things to normal “It results in problems. We are going to fix that. Let those neighbors who want to cause trouble in our country forget that and let us focus on developing ourselves. When they are ready to work with us, we will be here and ready. What we want is to be good neighbors who trade and work well with each other.”

“When you turned us into a garden in which you grow desired crops, we also have expectations. I hope citizens are hearing me. Leaders must understand it. It has been long for us to transform mindsets and country’s politics to current developments” he added.

Kagame said the policy is having Rwandans working together, leaving no one behind and that whatever stands in that road should not be tolerated.