Kigali, 26 February 2013
While Officiating the Swearing-in Ceremony of six new ministers, President Kagame today told all government officials present to remember Rwanda’s unique history as proof that they should never stop standing up for the rights of all Rwandans.
“The world chose to watch as one million were being slaughtered. Victims were turned into perpetrators and justice was turned into a political tool. The world has shown us that we cannot afford not to fight. Do not be afraid to stand up for truth, justice and for who we are. The only way to live in this world is to stand up for ourselves, stay true to who we are and define our own destiny”
Pointing to Rwanda’s challenge of limited resources, President Kagame reminded the Ministers that Rwanda’s history has demonstrated the nation’s ability to progress despite obstacles.
“Let us strive to achieve even more with the little we have.”
President Kagame also emphasized the need for the new Ministers to keep in mind that although their unique skills should be put to use, the work of building Rwanda and serving Rwandans should be based on team work and nationwide contribution.
The six new ministers sworn in today were Oda Gasinzigwa as Minister of Family and Gender Promotion, Ambassador Claver Gatete as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Prof Silas Lwakabamba as Minister of Infrastructure, Seraphine Mukantabana as Minister of Refugees and Disaster Management, Dr. Anita Asiimwe as Minister of State in the Ministry of Health in charge of Publich Health and Primary Health Care, and Evode Imena as Minister of State in the Ministry of Natural Resources in charge of Mining. New appointments also include former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa as the new Governor of National Bank of Rwanda.