{"id":105829,"date":"2025-07-21T16:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T16:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/gen-rwivanga-advocates-for-youth-living-by-values"},"modified":"2025-07-21T17:24:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:24:00","slug":"gen-rwivanga-advocates-for-youth-living-by-values","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/gen-rwivanga-advocates-for-youth-living-by-values","title":{"rendered":"Gen Rwivanga Advocates for Youth Living by Values"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), has called on Rwandan youth to lead with values, saying the future of the country depends on their good choices and behaviour.<\/p>\n

Rwivanga was addressing more than 150 young leaders from various academic institutions, including students from 35 universities and university deans, gathered in Kigali for the Young Leaders\u2019 Breakfast Network Gathering on Sunday, July 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery Rwandan, especially the youth, has a secret duty to lead with values,\u201d Rwivanga said at the conference organised by the Africa Youth Leadership Forum (AYLF) and Cornerstone Development Africa. The gathering aimed to inspire young people to become value-driven leaders, rooted in integrity, patriotism, and service.<\/p>\n

Rwivanga said that national values such as discipline, respect, and love for one\u2019s country must guide the decisions of every citizen, especially the youth who will shape the Rwanda of tomorrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat values guide your decisions today? Are your choices aligned with your principles today?\u201d he asked the young people, encouraging them to \u201cstand firm for what is right, serve others before self and lead with clarity and national pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, RDF Spokesperson, addressed over 150 young leaders during the Young Leaders\u2019 Breakfast Network Gathering in Kigali on July 20<\/p>\n

However, the defense spokesperson told the delegation that hard work would be “useless” if it was not matched with good personal conduct, especially personal health.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you drink yourself silly to destroy your liver, your kidneys and then in your sixities, you will be the first to go?” he said.<\/p>\n

Rwivanga referred to Rwanda\u2019s history, where he reminded the audience that many of today\u2019s leaders, including President Paul Kagame, were once young people who made brave and patriotic choices and liberated the country.<\/p>\n

Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga urged the youth to lead with values, emphasizing that Rwanda\u2019s future depends on their choices and behavior<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about if people your age had sat back as refugees and not taken up arms, where would Rwanda be? They were your age, the commanders you see now in their early fifties. Can we do the same today?\u201d<\/p>\n

The military general urged the youth to love their country, not just in words but in daily actions, saying that many countries today have developed because their citizens were patriotic.<\/p>\n

Patriotism in action<\/p>\n

Rwivanga also urged students studying abroad to return and invest in Rwanda. He said that while gaining knowledge and experience overseas is important, it is equally important to bring those skills back home to help build the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can go to study, get a degree, a PhD from there, even work for a few years, but at the end of the day, come and invest in your country,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Rwivanga pointed out that preserving Rwanda\u2019s achievements requires discipline, commitment, and ownership.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s honour our nation by holding good personal behavior, demonstrate patriotism for the country, preserve unity and together we can build a resilient and prosperous dignified nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\r\n