He made the remarks on March 23, 2026, while closing a high-level leadership retreat that brought together senior government officials and local leaders at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako.
The meeting reviewed ongoing governance challenges, including poor service delivery, weak coordination among institutions, and repeated failures in implementing government programs.
President Kagame delivered a firm message, stressing that leadership positions require accountability and results, not excuses.
“If you have accepted to be in leadership, you must fulfill your responsibilities. If you cannot, then step aside and do something else,” he said.
He criticized leaders who fail to follow up on citizens’ issues, noting that such negligence hinders progress and erodes public trust.
President Kagame underscored that leaders are entrusted with the responsibility to serve citizens, and failing to do so should not be tolerated.
The President also expressed frustration over leaders who repeatedly make the same mistakes, apologize, and fail to change.
“Making the same mistake every time and apologizing for it is not normal. It becomes a problem,” he said.
He questioned why issues raised in previous assessments continue to resurface, despite leaders acknowledging them and committing to reforms.
“Is this the first time you are hearing these issues? If not, why do we keep repeating them?” he asked.
President Paul Kagame highlighted gaps in planning and coordination as key contributors to poor outcomes, noting that some development projects fail due to lack of communication among stakeholders, resulting in incomplete solutions that do not benefit citizens.
“You cannot plan without linking it to action and expect meaningful results,” he noted.
Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva had pointed to a decline in public service delivery, citing data showing a drop from 78.2% in 2023 to 71.7% in 2025. He called for improved collaboration among leaders and faster delivery of services, emphasizing that citizens have a fundamental right to efficient and timely services.
“We must ensure that citizens receive quality services on time. It is their right,” he said.
President Kagame concluded by urging leaders to abandon a culture of excuses and adopt a results-driven approach focused on citizens’ needs.
He emphasized that leadership must be defined by action, accountability, and tangible impact, warning that failure to meet these standards leaves no room for remaining in office.