Speaking at the Rwanda Defence Force Combat Training Centre (CTC) in Gabiro, Kagame told the 769 participants that the country's future depends on the choices they make today.

“For you, the youth, you must take responsibility from where you are. I would say that this is your time,” Kagame said.

He reminded the participants that every generation eventually hands over responsibility to the next, making it critical for young people to prepare to lead.

“We are here today looking ahead because those of us who came before you will eventually leave the stage. When you leave a stage, you ask yourself: who comes after me, and what are they like? We look ahead and ask: what will our future look like, and who will shape it? The answer is you, whether you choose to take responsibility or not.”

The President warned that Rwanda's achievements could be lost if future generations fail to protect them.

“But if you embrace it, you and those who come after you will benefit,” he said.

“We will look back and ask: did we leave our children on the right path, the path their parents started, or did everything we worked for become meaningless? It is possible for efforts to become wasted.”

Kagame said Itorero is designed to prepare young people with the values, knowledge and cultural identity needed to overcome challenges wherever they live.

“Wherever you may be in the world, you should be able to face those challenges based on the culture and values you have received from your country,” he added.

He stressed that knowledge alone is not enough without discipline, saying the combination helps people make sound decisions, remain focused on their goals and avoid harmful choices that do not contribute to personal growth.

The President also called on the youth to understand Rwanda's history, saying the country's experience through colonisation, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the liberation struggle offers lessons that must never be forgotten.

“You wanted to understand where we came from, what happened that should never have happened, and how we can ensure it never happens again,” he told the participants.

“You came here to learn about history, to understand where the country needs to go, and how we can prevent those mistakes from returning.”

He encouraged the participants to start thinking early about their responsibilities toward their families, communities and the nation.

The cohort, running from July 1 to August 10, brings together youth aged 18 to 23, including students, Rwandans living abroad and top performers from the 13th Inkomezabigwi Urugerero National Service Programme.