Kagame warns young Rwandans against alcohol abuse and wasteful spending

By Elias Hakizimana.

President Paul Kagame has urged young Rwandans to resist alcohol abuse and avoid wasteful spending, warning that short-term pleasures can undermine their future and prevent them from building stable lives.

Speaking to approximately 10,000 young people at BK Arena in Kigali on October 21, 2026, during the Meet the President dialogue, Kagame said young people should learn to confront life’s challenges rather than turn to alcohol as a way of escaping them.

“Some people do it thinking it helps them get through difficult situations because they fall asleep. That is not sleep; you become numb,” he said, describing excessive drinking as a way of temporarily avoiding reality rather than solving problems.

He urged young people to endure immediate difficulties when doing so could lead to a healthier and more fulfilling future.

“The best thing is to face the things that are unpleasant or difficult at the moment, knowing that you are building a better life that will eventually bring you happiness,” he said.

Kagame illustrated the financial consequences of excessive spending by recounting how he advised a young man he had supported through education when the latter sought nearly Rwf10 million for his wedding.

The proposed expenses included an expensive venue, clothing and alcohol for hundreds of guests. Kagame said he offered to host the wedding in the garden at Village Urugwiro, where he works, and provide refreshments such as juice, coffee, tea and soft drinks instead of alcohol.

He also decided that the money would be given to the young man after the wedding so it could be invested in building the couple’s household rather than being spent in a single day.

Kagame said the young man later acknowledged that he had lost nothing by celebrating without alcohol.

The president’s message came as other participants shared experiences of overcoming addiction and rebuilding their lives.

Shimirwa Palemon, from Rubaya Sector in Gicumbi District, said he became involved in the illegal trade in alcoholic substances before developing a drinking problem that depleted his savings and made life difficult.

After being taken to a rehabilitation centre, he said, he began reconsidering his choices. Continued support from his parents helped him change his behaviour, while he later pursued carpentry and participated in the YouthConnekt Awards, reaching the national level in 2024.

Shimirwa said he eventually stopped drinking completely and decided to focus on improving his life.

Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana also warned that alcohol and tobacco use among young people undermine their health and development. Youth Minister Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah said young people faced several pressures, including unemployment, the high cost of living, family conflicts and social media influences.

Kagame encouraged young people not to give up, even when they had made mistakes, saying it was possible to change direction and rebuild their lives.

“You should not always ask what people say is right and follow it. Instead, ask yourself: as an individual, what do I consider right?” he told the gathering.

The meeting brought together young people from different backgrounds to discuss challenges affecting their lives and their contribution to national development. It was Kagame’s latest engagement of this kind after meeting approximately 7,500 young volunteers at BK Arena in May 2024.

The discussions highlighted the importance of personal responsibility, family support and opportunities that enable young people to move away from harmful habits and build sustainable livelihoods.

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