Kagame to youth: Take charge of your choices

President Paul Kagame has challenged young people to take responsibility for their choices and break free from harmful habits, particularly alcohol and drug abuse, saying meaningful change begins with personal commitment.

Speaking during the #MeetThePresident engagement at BK Arena on Wednesday, October 21, Kagame said support from families, authorities and society may not be enough to help someone change if they are unwilling to take responsibility for their behaviour.

“Unless individuals make a personal commitment to changing their behaviour, they risk falling back into the same habits,” he said.

Kagame cited people who repeatedly return to prison for similar offences, saying punishment alone may not be enough to change their behaviour without a personal willingness to reform.

“You cannot force someone to be disciplined when they are unwilling, but if you choose it, you can learn discipline from people around you,” he said.

He urged young people to develop good habits, remain consistent and learn to distinguish between choices that improve their lives and those that harm them.

“You need to be disciplined in your daily life, maintain good habits and learn to distinguish between what is good for you and what is harmful. Personal development depends on the choices you make and your commitment to improving yourself over time,” Kagame said.

The President also challenged young people to question practices that have become common in society, warning that widespread acceptance does not make harmful behaviour right.

He singled out alcohol and drug abuse, noting that some people continue drinking despite the consequences, while others turn to alcohol to help them sleep or cope with personal challenges.

Kagame urged young people to confront their problems instead of relying on alcohol or drugs as a means of escape.

He acknowledged that breaking harmful habits takes effort but stressed that individuals must be willing to take the first step towards changing their lives.

‘It’s never too late’

Kagame also encouraged young people who feel they have wasted time or made mistakes to understand that their past does not have to determine their future.

“It’s never too late,” he said, urging those who recognise the need for change to take action rather than assume that past decisions have denied them opportunities to build better lives.

He emphasised the importance of discipline, healthy choices and continuous personal development, encouraging young people to learn from others while remaining accountable for their own decisions.

Kagame further warned against treating harmful practices as normal simply because they are widespread among members of society.

He cited alcohol and drug abuse, as well as teenage pregnancy, as examples of issues that young people should take seriously rather than dismiss as inevitable or inconsequential.

His message called on young people to examine their habits, make responsible decisions and recognise that changing the course of their lives requires both the willingness to change and the discipline to sustain that change.

By Prince Ruzigana