Rwanda’s First Lady Champions Strong Marriages as Foundation for National Unity
KIGALI, Rwanda – September 15, 2025 – In a heartfelt opinion piece published in The New Times, Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame articulated a powerful vision of the family as the essential building block of a unified and prosperous nation.
Titled “A Couple’s First Song: A Lifelong Dance,” the essay encourages young Rwandans to build strong, lasting marriages founded on the principles of mutual respect, open communication, and unwavering commitment. Mrs. Kagame, who leads the Imbuto Foundation, framed her message not just as personal advice but as a crucial element of Rwanda’s continued social recovery.
“Perhaps it is my affection for the youth… perhaps it is simply that I love ‘love’,” she wrote. “But the wellness of the Rwandan family unit – our youth’s cocoon – be it in health as in personal fulfillment, will always be my driving purpose.”
The First Lady directly connected the health of family units to the nation’s broader goals, arguing that stable homes nurture the empathy, discipline, and patriotism essential for sustaining national unity. She positioned this within the context of Rwanda’s journey since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, highlighting how strong societal bonds are critical for continued healing and progress. While advocating for lifelong partnerships, she also realistically acknowledged that some relationships may end irreconcilably.
The essay aligns with the ongoing work of her Imbuto Foundation and resonates with national values promoted by government initiatives like the “Ndi Umunyarwanda” (I am Rwandan) campaign, which emphasizes shared identity and reconciliation.
The publication has been met with positive engagement on social media, with many users on X praising the First Lady for providing thoughtful guidance to the youth and for reinforcing the connection between strong families and a resilient society. The piece has sparked a conversation about the role of traditional values in modern Rwandan life as the country continues to chart its unique path forward.
