President Kagame informed the more than 2500 delegates that the first ring of security is founded on reaching out to the citizens and solving their problems.
He said that whenever leaders don’t approach citizens, it is a privilege for those who want to manipulate them.
"There are areas in the countryside where residents will tell you that they have not seen leaders nor know the local leaders. When someone else comes out and tells them that he is more considerate towards them than their leaders, they believe it. What would you do? If another person came and said, ’The reason why you do not see a leader here is that he does not care about you, but I have come here because I care about you’," he said.
President Kagame urged the leaders to stop speaking only about their achievements, but also work. He said that whatever they may pride themselves in, the yield is reflected in their achievements.
"Whether you are happy, proud, or talk about your achievements, the result of your deeds is awaiting to expose you and reveal whether you have been telling the truth or lying to others or to yourself. Whatever good things you may say, pride in, it’s not a problem. There is time for that, but something is waiting for you and will expose you," Kagame said.
He urged the participants to focus on governance because whatever plans they may make when something is wrong in governance, are futile.
He emphasized that whenever they do not respond to the problems of the citizens, the security that the country wants to achieve becomes impossible.
"You are safe for your child is going to school, a patient can access medical services, you are protected in all kinds of life, you are sleeping safely and getting the next day to go to work without spending the night thinking about whether you will wake up alive or nobody will be waiting for you at the door early in the morning to rob you of your earnings or take away your life," the president noted.
He said that taking good care of citizens is not just for political leaders, but also private individuals.
He explained that a businessperson who contributes to changing the welfare of citizens sells themselves because looking for a good source because citizens who live well are also good customers.
The meeting was attended by RPF delegates from across the country and discussed, among other topics, ‘development based on capable citizens.’