About Paul Kagame
In June 2026, Kagame presided over the 14th graduation ceremony of the senior command and staff course at the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College. In his address, he told graduating officers that the RDF's standing "has been built over many years through dedicated service, discipline and professionalism." He urged them to cultivate courage, judgment, and purpose, stating that purpose "is anchored in protecting our people and sovereignty while advancing the continued transformation of our country." Earlier, in May, Kagame spoke at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA) in Kigali, where he said Rwanda intends to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s and described small modular reactors as "the most practical way forward" for many African countries. He also participated in a fireside chat at the Basketball Africa League Investor Day, where he said that Africans "must be able to say no" to being exploited and that the continent's tragic history "woke us up" to the need for self-reliance.
Kagame also marked 20 years of partnership with Oklahoma Christian University, noting that over 700 alumni of the program now serve in strategic leadership positions in Rwanda. He traveled to Botswana, where he and President Duma Boko witnessed the signing of six bilateral agreements, including a double taxation avoidance agreement. In a speech at the World Policy Conference, Kagame called attention to the war in the Middle East, saying the situation "is very bad and the big powers need to quickly find a solution." He also spoke at a genocide memorial event in Paris, where he stated that "the main responsibility for the genocide is located within our own society as Rwandans" and acknowledged that France "could have stopped the genocide, but did not."
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Paul Kagame's recent appearances.
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✨ AI-enhanced transcript with speaker attribution
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Paul Kagame0:01
Senior government officials, leaders of defense and security institutions, commandants from partner colleges in East Africa, graduating senior officers, families and friends, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon to you all. I'm very pleased to join you today and I congratulate those who have completed the senior command and staff college course. You arrived here as experienced professionals and are now leaving with broader knowledge, sharper strategic awareness, and greater responsibility. I want to acknowledge and thank your families and friends. They share the burdens of military service and your conduct should always honor their sacrifices and support. I also thank the faculty for their dedication and the RDF leadership for ensuring that this college is equipped to uphold the highest standards of excellence. This cohort brings together officers from the RDF and from partner and allied countries across the region and beyond. I thank them for being good partners and friends and joining us for the good conduct and completion of this course. The value of the connections that you have made here cannot be overstated. When officers who trained together meet in operations, regional engagements, or moments of crisis, they already possess an understanding that strengthens cooperation. This course was designed to enhance your ability to navigate complex and sometimes seemingly impossible situations. There are, however, certain qualities that cannot be given to you, that you must personally cultivate. The first is courage. You will not always have guarantees, and for some this can create paralysis. Courage is what enables a leader to act decisively despite uncertainty and competing pressures. The second is judgment. As your responsibilities increase, so will the consequences of your decisions. Good judgment is developed through experience, cooperation, and the humility to learn from mistakes and adjust course when necessary. The third is purpose, which comes from knowing precisely what you are fighting for: Rwanda. That purpose is anchored in protecting our people and sovereignty while advancing the continued transformation of our country. The question before you now is not whether you can lead, but how you lead. These three qualities must be demonstrated and renewed every day. The current standing of the RDF does not exist by default. It has been built over many years through dedicated service, discipline, and professionalism. This is what has earned the trust of our citizens, partners, and those alongside whom our forces operate. That responsibility now extends more directly to you. The environment in which you serve will continue to evolve with new technologies and threats that demand constant adaptation. The choices you make from this point forward will influence not only operations but also the culture, standards, and effectiveness of the institutions entrusted to you. You must lead with integrity and never stop learning and improving. Once again, congratulations on this milestone. I wish you success in your duties and all the best to your families. And for those allied friends, the best to your people and countries. I thank you very much.
