Madam Jeannette Kagame, Executive Director of the Unity Club Intwararumuri, stated that Ndi Umunyarwanda (I Am Rwandan) will continue to serve as both the anthem and guiding motto in Rwanda, aiming to strengthen unity among Rwandans.
She made these remarks on November 8, 2025, during her address to participants at the 18th annual Unity Club Intwararumuri Forum, held at the Intare Arena Conference. The theme of this year’s forum was “Ndi Umunyarwanda: The Fundamental Idea of Our Existence.”
Madam Jeannette Kagame emphasized that for the members of Unity Club, the organization goes beyond being a forum. It serves as a guiding light in shaping members’ thinking, behavior, and chosen way of life.
She said:
“For us, the anthem and motto will always be Ndi Umunyarwanda. The foundation of our unity lies in the dreams we share, the culture we share, the language we share, our country, and the one God of Rwanda.”
Unity, active listening, and the exchange of ideas are the threads that bind Rwandans together, and these practices foster uniqueness and wisdom.
“The level of development we have achieved, along with the freedom we enjoy to live united, should not make us forget the struggles faced in our region and beyond,” she added, warning against rising divisions based on differences that some exploit to sow conflict.
A distinctive feature of Unity Club, Madam Kagame noted, is its courage to tackle difficult conversations. Members understand that remaining silent can have serious consequences.
“We have been stripped of our historical perspective of Africa, and we acknowledge that. Silence has been exploited by those with ill intentions to distort our history, and sometimes some among us follow these false narratives,” she said.
She stressed the importance of documenting, preserving, and teaching Rwandan history to ensure that the lessons are not lost or forgotten. Recording Rwandans’ responses has helped the country overcome past darkness, she added.
“We should no longer assume we have time; the moment has come to turn words into action and do what we have committed to, lest we become like the proverb that says, ‘A little parent punishes children for what they cannot achieve,’” she explained.
Unity Club members were reminded that Ndi Umunyarwanda is a core principle of Rwandan existence — not just their anthem, but an irrevocable choice.
“We do not ask permission to exist, and we live well. Ndi Umunyarwanda is our pact, and it is the legacy we will leave to the young,” she said.
The Unity Club leadership described the organization as a school, where members come together from different backgrounds to learn from one another. Madam Jeannette Kagame added:
“Not continuing to learn is stagnation; it is decline. In this extraordinary school of ours, we always maintain curiosity to acquire further knowledge. We have built much anew, working quietly, yet with hope. In Unity Club, we are reminded that Rwanda is a sanctuary — a cradle that shelters us all, and in which we live peacefully.”
The 18th Unity Club Intwararumuri Forum was attended by over 400 participants, including national leaders, Intwararumuri members, local government officials, youth representatives, senior religious leaders, and civil society actors.
