Kagame urges young Rwandans to prioritise building homes over costly weddings

President Paul Kagame has urged young Rwandans to avoid excessive wedding expenses and focus instead on building financially stable families, saying that money spent on elaborate celebrations could be put towards longer-term priorities.

Speaking at the Meet the President dialogue at BK Arena in Kigali on Wednesday, 21 October, Kagame shared an experience involving a young man whose education he had supported and who later approached him for financial assistance with his wedding.

The man presented a proposed wedding budget of approximately Rwf10 million, prompting the President to question whether the money needed to be spent on a single celebration.

Kagame recounted how he helped the groom reorganise the event, remove expenses he considered unnecessary and retain the Rwf10 million for use after the wedding.

The account formed part of a wider discussion about responsible choices, social pressure, alcohol consumption and young people's role in shaping their future.

How Kagame helped organise a wedding without spending Rwf10 million

According to the President, he had supported the young man through his education, including university studies, before the man approached him with plans to get married.

The groom had prepared a budget of around Rwf10 million and was also seeking contributions from businesspeople to finance the ceremony.

Rather than immediately providing the requested money, Kagame examined the proposed expenses and suggested changes to reduce the cost.

He offered to host the celebration at Village Urugwiro, replacing the planned hotel venue, and helped arrange facilities for the approximately 600 expected guests.

The President also offered assistance with clothing for the groom and members of his wedding party.

One of the most significant changes involved removing alcoholic beverages from the reception.

Instead, guests were to be served juice, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Kagame said he agreed to provide the Rwf10 million after the ceremony, allowing the newly married couple to direct the money towards establishing their household rather than spending it on the wedding day.

After the celebration, he asked the groom whether anything important had been lost by not serving alcohol.

According to Kagame, the young man said he had missed nothing.

The President used the experience to demonstrate how questioning expensive social expectations could help young couples preserve resources for their future.

Young people urged to resist social pressure

Kagame's remarks went beyond the cost of weddings, focusing on the influence of social expectations on personal decisions.

He encouraged young people to think independently about the habits and practices they adopt, rather than following what others consider fashionable or socially acceptable.

His message emphasised the importance of discipline, financial responsibility and decisions that contribute to personal development and family well-being.

The President also urged young people to advise friends whose choices could harm their future, rather than encouraging behaviour simply because it is common within their social circles.

In discussing personal responsibility, Kagame stressed that outside guidance has limited value unless individuals are willing to reflect on their actions and change their behaviour.

He acknowledged that people make mistakes but encouraged young Rwandans not to give up on improving their lives, regardless of their previous decisions.

Alcohol consumption also features in youth discussions

The dialogue, attended by more than 10,000 young people from across Rwanda, also addressed alcohol and drug abuse, employment, mental health and the influence of social media.

Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana spoke about the health consequences of harmful alcohol consumption and substance abuse, urging young people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

He warned that alcohol can affect judgement and behaviour and encouraged participants to challenge the social importance attached to drinking.

Kagame similarly cautioned against using alcohol to escape personal difficulties, arguing that harmful habits could interfere with education, employment and other long-term ambitions.

The President encouraged participants to protect their health, build useful skills and recognise their responsibility for the choices they make.

The discussion reflected wider government efforts to address substance abuse and promote healthier lifestyles among young people.

Building a family beyond the wedding day

The remarks also echo previous public discussions in Rwanda about the distinction between organising a wedding and preparing for marriage.

In August 2025, First Lady Jeannette Kagame encouraged young couples to devote greater attention to building lasting relationships rather than concentrating their efforts on wedding celebrations.

Speaking at the Young Leaders Prayer Breakfast, she highlighted the importance of preparing for the responsibilities of family life, including understanding the reasons for marriage and managing expectations.