Here’s why I honor Paul Kagame's birthday, a leader whose profound impact defines Rwanda's history, present, and future, in a tribute that transcends the conventional. In my personal tribute, I will not dwell on the obvious; his role in ending the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, rebuilding a shattered nation, or transforming Rwanda into Africa’s beacon of progress. Rwandans know these truths. The world sees them. ALSO READ: Six years in Rwanda: What Paul Kagame has taught me about leadership Instead, let’s talk about why Rwanda needs Kagame today and tomorrow. Not just as president, but as something greater, a Supreme Leader. Let’s explore why Rwandans must rally to protect their gains through a bold constitutional change, ensuring his vision endures. ALSO READ: Kagame: Technology should benefit all Africans, not widen inequality Rwanda’s story is a miracle. From the ashes of 1994, a nation rose. Kagame’s hand guided this rebirth. His leadership brought stability, growth, and pride. But miracles are fragile. The world is chaotic. Neighbors falter. Global powers meddle. Rwanda’s progress could slip away without a steady hand. Kagame is that hand. His clarity, discipline, and foresight are rare. No one else matches his ability to steer Rwanda through storms. Today, we need him. Tomorrow, we’ll need him more. ALSO READ: The leadership formula for staying in power and doing good Why a Supreme Leader? Rwanda’s achievements are not ordinary. They demand extraordinary protection. A president, bound by term limits and electoral whims, cannot always shield a nation’s long-term vision. Kagame’s leadership transcends short-term politics. He sees decades ahead, not just election cycles. A Supreme Leader, Commander-in-Chief and Head of State, would embody Rwanda’s soul. He would stand above the fray, ensuring continuity. The president, elected by the people, would handle daily governance but answer to the Supreme Leader. This structure balances democracy with stability, giving Rwandans a voice while safeguarding their future. ALSO READ: Never let anyone behave as if they created you, Kagame tells Rwandans Some might argue this risks authoritarianism. But Rwanda is not a theory. It’s a nation reborn from catastrophe. Fragile gains need strong guardians. Kagame has proven he’s no ordinary leader. He has not been a president until his 68th birthday for personal gain, it has been a demand from Rwandans. We can’t demand this from him forever, we MUST demand more than ever. His life is Rwanda’s progress. Critics abroad don’t understand this. They see Rwanda through Western lenses, ignoring its unique journey. Rwandans know better. They’ve lived the before and after. They’ve seen what happens when leadership falters. Kagame’s supremacy isn’t about control, it’s about survival. If we are to demand more from PK, Rwanda needs a constitutional shift. Rwandans must demand it. Voices must rise, not in whispers but in chorus. Rwandans owe it to themselves to protect what they’ve built. A constitutional amendment would create the role of Supreme Leader, elected not by popular vote but by a Council of Experts, wise, experienced Rwandans who understand the nation’s needs. This council would select a leader proven by deeds, not promises. Kagame, with his unmatched record, would be the natural choice. The Supreme Leader wouldn’t rule alone. A Council of Elders, also chosen by the Council of Experts, would advise him. These elders, respected, seasoned, and rooted in Rwanda’s values, would ensure the leader’s decisions align with the nation’s spirit. They’d be a bridge between Rwanda’s past and future, grounding the Supreme Leader in wisdom while he charts the path ahead. This isn’t a return to monarchy. It’s a modern system, tailored to Rwanda’s reality. Parliament would evolve too. The Council of Guardians would form the upper house, a body of seasoned minds to review laws and protect the nation’s long-term interests. The Assembly of People’s representatives, the lower house, would remain the voice of the people, ensuring democratic participation. Together, they’d balance stability with accountability. The president, as head of government, would manage daily affairs but report to the Supreme Leader. This structure preserves Rwanda’s democratic gains while shielding its vision from short-term populism. Why must Rwandans act now? Because time is not neutral. Progress can erode. Enemies, internal and external, watch closely. Rwanda’s success makes it a target. Jealous neighbors, foreign critics, and divisive voices wait for weakness. Kagame’s leadership has held them at bay. A tightly integrated system is crucial to sustain and advance Kagame's vision for Rwanda across future generations. A constitutional change isn’t just about his legacy. It’s about Rwanda’s survival. It’s about ensuring the next generation inherits a nation as strong as today’s. Rwandans must speak out. They must demand this change. Public forums should echo with calls for a Supreme Leader. This isn’t about one man’s birthday. It’s about a nation’s destiny. Kagame’s vision, discipline, unity, progress, must outlive him. A Supreme Leader role ensures it does. Skeptics might ask, why not trust the next generation of leaders? Rwanda has talented youth, brilliant minds, and capable officials. But none carry Kagame’s singular clarity. His ability to unite, discipline, and inspire is unmatched. The next leaders will need his guidance, not as a retired figurehead but as a living force. A Supreme Leader doesn’t stifle new talent but empowers it by providing a north star. Rwanda’s youth deserve a system that protects their future, not one that gambles it on untested hands. On his birthday, let’s honor Kagame not with words alone but with action. Rwandans must commit to a future where his vision endures. A constitutional change, creating a Supreme Leader advised by elders and supported by a restructured parliament, is the way forward. It’s not about clinging to the past. It’s about securing tomorrow. Rwanda’s miracle is too precious to risk. Kagame, as Supreme Leader, would be its guardian, not for his sake, but for Rwanda’s. So, we celebrate more than a man. We celebrate a vision. We celebrate a Rwanda that dares to dream big and protect those dreams fiercely. Rwandans, raise your voices. Demand the change. Protect what you’ve built. Ensure Kagame’s leadership guides Rwanda today, tomorrow, and beyond. These are my personal thoughts. I am sure, there are more intellects that can shape them better. Happy birthday, Mr. President. May you lead us today as president and tomorrow as Supreme Leader, for many more years to come. The writer is a development and alternative financing strategist.
