Active citizenship begins with paying attention
As i listened to the Minister of Finance present Rwanda’s 2026/27 national budget to the @RwandaParliamnt on the 11th June 2026, one figure stood out to me; RWF 195.3 billion has been set aside to support the private sector, industrial parks, exports, and job creation, particularly for young people.
What surprised me, however was not the amount itself, but the lack of discussion around it.
Over the past week, social media has been full of debates about Bebecool, Kazungu, and other trending topics. Yet i have hardly seen young people asking what this RWF 195.3 billion actually means, where it will go, what opportunities it could create, who will benefit, or how its implementation will be monitored.
This matters because many of the challenges young people talk about every day, unemployment, lack of capital, limited business opportunities, and access to markets, are directly connected to the kinds of investments being proposed in the budget.
It is easy to say that government has not done enough, and sometimes such criticism is justified. But meaningful accountability starts with understanding what has been planned in the first place. If we do not take time to read, question, and debate government priorities, it becomes difficult to hold anyone accountable for the results.
A national budget is not just a document for economists, politicians, or public servants. It is a roadmap for the country’s future. It affects jobs, businesses, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the opportunities available to ordinary citizens.
One of the things Rwanda has consistently encouraged is active citizenship. Active citizenship is not only about voting or commenting on political issues. It is also about taking an interest in public policies, asking questions, seeking information, and engaging in discussions that affect our lives.
Sometimes i worry that we are becoming more interested in what is trending than in what is transformative. We can spend days debating a celebrity story, but very little time discussing a budget allocation that could influence thousands of jobs and businesses.
If RWF 195.3 billion has been allocated for youth and private sector development, young people should be among the first asking questions. What jobs will be created? Which sectors will benefit? How can young entrepreneurs access these opportunities? What should success look like one year from now?
These are the conversations that help build a strong civic culture and ensure that public resources deliver real results for citizens.
After all, the future is not shaped only by the decisions governments make. It is also shaped by the attention citizens pay to those decisions.
On Friday, June 19, 2026, stakeholders from across sectors gathered in Kigali for a workshop on “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials,” alongside a consultative dialogue assessing the state of human rights in Rwanda.
The discussions reviewed progress, highlighted ongoing challenges including access to justice, economic rights, and protection of vulnerable groups, and explored practical solutions to strengthen human rights across all sectors.
Participants underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and citizens to address gaps in implementation and awareness.
Speaking at the event, @JosephRyarasa emphasized the link between human rights and sustainable development, while Oskar Karnebäck (@SwedeninRW ) reaffirmed the universality of human rights and the need to place human dignity at the center of governance and policy.
#HumanRights #HumanRightsRwanda #EverydayEssentials
In his keynote address, the first Secretary at the Embassy of Sweden in Rwanda (@SwedeninRW), Oskar Karnebäck, reflected that Human rights are universal and belong to every person by virtue of being human, regardless of origin, religion, political views, or sexual orientation. He emphasized that placing the individual at the center of policy and governance is fundamental to protecting human dignity and freedom.
#HumanRights
Stakeholders from across sectors are gathering at Mövenpick this morning for a workshop on “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials.”
This workshop provides a platform to examine progress, discuss emerging challenges, and identify practical recommendations for advancing human rights in Rwanda.
#HumanRights
During his remarks, our Executive Director, @JosephRyarasa, noted that while Rwanda has made significant progress, addressing challenges in areas such as access to justice, economic rights, and protection of vulnerable groups requires sustained collaboration. He emphasized that human rights and sustainable development are inseparable, calling for continued partnership among state institutions, civil society, and citizens. #HumanRights
It was great joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby — a gifted Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist — to unveil our first portrait together. This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story, and we’re thrilled that it will be on display in the Hope and Change lobby at the Obama Presidential Center starting this Juneteenth.
This afternoon at Urugwiro Village, President Kagame received Amb. Johan Borgstam, European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region. Their discussions covered regional developments, including the need for concrete action to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC and advance a sustainable path to peace and stability.
In Liverpool, Rwandans & friends of Rwanda, alongside Lord Mayor Councillor William Shortall @William_OldSwan, gathered to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We honor the victims, stand with survivors, and renew our commitment to ensuring “Never Again.”
#Kwibuka32
Imagine waking up to ten missed calls. You return one of them only to hear, "I have a wedding coming up and I need financial support."
Sometimes i find myself asking, if you are ready to get married, why not plan a wedding that matches your financial means? Why take on obligations that immediately require emergency fundraising from friends and relatives?
Marriage is not a competition and a wedding is not a show. There is nothing wrong with having a simple ceremony that you can comfortably afford. In fact, starting a marriage without unnecessary financial pressure may be one of the best gifts a couple can give themselves.
Perhaps it is time we stopped measuring weddings by their size and began measuring them by the strength of the commitment behind them. We need to be more realistic, live within our means and stop putting ourselves under pressure to impress others. A successful marriage matters far more than an expensive wedding.
We have officially entered into a partnership with Somali National University to strengthen academic and research collaboration, with a particular focus on genocide studies, peace and conflict, governance, and politics.
The agreement was signed today by DVC Dr. Raymond Ndikumana and Deputy Rector Dr. Fuad Mire Hassan of Somali National University, with Richard Niwenshuti, CEO of @Cooperation_RW witnessing the ceremony.
The partnership will promote joint research, curriculum co-development, academic program development, and the harmonization of teaching and training materials. It will also facilitate faculty, researcher, staff, and student exchanges through short courses, executive training programs, and summer schools; creating new opportunities for knowledge sharing and capacity building between #Rwanda and #Somalia
@RoseRwabuhihi@FatmataLSesay@UNDP_Rwanda Mma Rose, Former Chief Gender Monitor, shares the powerful journey of #Beijing and how Rwandan women, united as "Team Karisimbi", named after Rwanda’s highest volcano, stood in solidarity with women worldwide.
"We were prepared to raise the highest voice for women in Rwanda."
🏆 Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup!
We're pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg.
To honour the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi & continue the commemoration of #Kwibuka32 the Embassy visited the Nyamata Memorial & the @Aegis_Trust Isōko Centre in Bugesera.
Sweden reaffirms its support for & applauds Rwanda’s commitment to #NeverAgain#Turikumwe
Today, Minister @nmukazayire welcomed Ms. @LiekevandeWiel , UNICEF Representative to Rwanda, for a courtesy visit.
The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between UNICEF Rwanda and the Ministry of Sports, leveraging sport as a catalyst for child and youth development, exploring UNICEF's participation in the upcoming #KIPM2026, and fostering long-term partnerships between the two institutions.
#RwandaSports
“#African health challenges require Africa-led scientific solutions strengthened through global partnership.”
Remarks of DVC for Finance, Françoise Kayitare Tengera at the launch of the ACT-CHIK Project.
She added that the project aligns with the country's health initiatives to accelerate vaccine development and strengthen the continent’s capacity to respond to emerging health threats.
Omar Artan didn’t just make the #FIFAWorldCup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as #Africa’s best. That milestone stands no matter what. So sorry to see this, Omar. You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that. This won’t be the end of your story on the world stage. The world stands with you as one family, wishing you resilience now and many more major finals to come. Solidarity. #Somalia
As we close today's launch of "Strengthening Educational Capacities at Rwanda's Memorial Sites," we carry forward one shared conviction: remembrance without education is incomplete, and education without memory is dangerous. The work starts now.
Ese uzi ko gusobanukirwa neza ukwezi k'umugore n'iminsi y'uburumbuke bifasha gufata ibyemezo bishingiye ku makuru nyayo?
Dr. @Niyomugabojea19 arasobanura impamvu ari ngombwa kumenya iminsi y'uburumbuke no kwirinda kwibeshya ko umunsi umwe wonyine ari wo ugomba kwitabwaho. @PlanRwanda
Reba ikiganiro kirambuye kuri HDI TV: https://t.co/zXrRtNKpUv
#HinduraImyumvire #DuhindureImyumvire