A book compiling President Paul Kagame’s reflection on leadership and public speeches could soon be disseminated in schools to offer the young generation a distilled guide to leadership, patriotism and nation-building drawn from decades of national and global engagement. The 90-page book, written in Kinyarwanda and titled “Isoko Tuvomaho Impanuro” (loosely translted as “The source from which we draw wisdom”), was disseminated on Friday, January 23, at the Kigali Public Library, where secondary school students, the book author and education officials discussed the essential message of the book. ALSO READ: Kagame to leaders: No one from outside will come to save us The book by Charles Mutaganzwa presents 245 lessons extracted from the President’s speeches delivered at during events in the country, to Rwandans in the diaspora and on international platforms. The book explores themes of unity, work ethic, self-reliance, dignity, leadership, good governance and Rwanda’s place on the global stage, translating speeches into concise reflections accessible to young readers. Mutaganzwa said the initiative to compile the book was driven by the need to preserve ideas that have shaped Rwanda’s recovery and development, and to transmit them in a form that can outlive the moment in which they were spoken. “Many of the President’s speeches are long and scattered across different platforms,” Mutaganzwa said. “I selected their core messages and put them in writing so that anyone who needs guidance can access them easily, without fatigue,” the writer said. He explained that students were deliberately chosen as the primary audience because they represent the future custodians of the country’s progress. “Young people cannot easily follow presidential speeches when he delivers them, yet they must understand Rwanda’s history, where we come from and where we are going,” he said. “If we preserve this way of thinking, it can remain a shared national mindset even when the generation that rebuilt Rwanda is no longer here.” The lessons echo messages President Kagame has repeatedly emphasised about personal responsibility toward the nation. In one of the excerpts featured in the book, he reminds citizens their responsibility: “Do not think only of what your country owes you or must provide for you; rather, always remember that your country also expects something from you, which you must give back.” In another reflection, the President cautions against complacency, warning that achievements gained through sacrifice must be safeguarded. “Do not take for granted anything you have achieved through hard work, because if you lose it, regaining it will cost you more than before - or you may never recover it at all,” Kagame said during the RPF Congress in 2019. Students who attended the event at t Kigali Public Library described the book as both practical and transformative. Ivan Muhinda, 19, a Social Studies Education student at TTC Matimba, said having the President’s ideas compiled in print is more accessible to many learners who may not easily access online content. “When these messages are written down, they become easier to reach and easier to revisit,” Muhinda said. “They help us reflect on our daily lives and prepare for future responsibilities. Leadership does not begin tomorrow; it starts with how we think and act today.” He added that one lesson that resonated deeply with him was the call to take ownership of challenges. “The idea that when you own an issue and confront it, you can overcome it, has changed how I look at difficulties,” he said. For Fidelity Akaliza, a 16-year-old student at TTC Kirambo studying Science and Mathematics Education, the book has already begun shaping her professional outlook. “As future teachers, we know we will shape society,” she said. “Internalising such messages prepares us to pass on values that help students build themselves and contribute to the country.” Parents who attended the event also welcomed the messages contained in the book, describing it as a timely tool for nurturing responsible citizenship. Jean Pierre Mbarushimana said the book responds to the need for strong values at an early age. “These lessons encourage dignity, self-reliance and accountability,” he said. “They help raise children who understand that building themselves and building the nation go hand in hand.” The Ministry of Education has endorsed the book and indicated plans to support its distribution in schools. Jean Claude Hashakineza, Director General of Communications at the ministry, said the publication aligns with Rwanda’s vision of value-based education. “We reviewed Isoko Tuvomaho Impanuro and found it to be a genuine source of guidance that helps students think critically, make sound decisions and prepare for leadership,” Hashakineza said. “Education is not only about academic instruction; it is about shaping all-round citizens who love their country and are ready to contribute to its development.”
