President Paul Kagame has urged young people to critically examine changing social norms, including dressing styles and other lifestyle choices, calling for open discussions about the values Rwanda wants to preserve as concerns grow over drug use, excessive drinking and other harmful behaviours among the youth.
Speaking during the Meet the President session at BK Arena on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Kagame said young people should not automatically adopt practices from other cultures without considering whether they align with their society’s values and expectations.
He stressed that differences in behaviour and personal choices should be discussed constructively rather than becoming a source of hostility, emphasising the need for young people to make informed and responsible decisions.
The President also criticised the handling of a recent incident in which a young woman was stopped from entering a venue because of her outfit, saying the police officers involved had not paid sufficient attention to the applicable rules. The incident raised questions about how public standards, personal freedoms and law enforcement should be balanced.
Kagame’s remarks come amid wider government concerns about social challenges affecting young people, including drug abuse, alcohol misuse and behaviours that can undermine health, education and personal development.
He urged young people to consider the consequences of their choices, particularly where certain practices could cause harm, while calling on parents, educators and society to teach children the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
The discussion also puts the spotlight on the role of families, schools and communities in guiding young people on appropriate dressing, responsible alcohol consumption, rejection of illicit drugs and respectful conduct in public spaces.
Rather than allowing disagreements over changing lifestyles to create divisions, Kagame called for dialogue and a shared understanding of the values society seeks to uphold.
His message places responsibility on both young people and the wider community: the youth must think critically about the choices they make, while adults and institutions must provide clear guidance and apply rules fairly.