Religious leaders have been urged to step up efforts to address alcohol abuse among young people and support government programs aimed at improving family welfare and national development.
Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva made the appeal Sunday during the annual “Rwanda Shima Imana” thanksgiving gathering at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, attended by more than 40,000 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda.
Nsengiyumva called on churches and other religious organizations to help combat illicit and substandard alcoholic drinks, commonly known as “ibyuma,” which he said are harming young people, damaging families and contributing to conflict.
“Help us fight ‘ibyuma’ because they harm our youth, destroy families, hinder their development and can also cause conflicts,” he said.
He said religious organizations reach large sections of the population and should use that influence to educate communities, particularly young people, about excessive drinking and other practices that can undermine their well-being.
Nsengiyumva also urged faith leaders to promote families built on love, respect and understanding, saying strong families are essential to building a strong country.
He called on religious organizations to support efforts to reduce child stunting, encourage school attendance and improve living conditions.
The prime minister described religious organizations as important partners in promoting peace, social cohesion and values that contribute to national development.
The gathering also highlighted Rwanda’s progress since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rev. Pastor Isaie Ndayizeye, leader of ADEPR in Rwanda and head of Rwanda Shima Imana, said the country had made significant progress from its history of division, poverty and violence.
Ndayizeye said access to clean water had risen from about 30% in 1994 to more than 85% today. He also cited growth in education, saying primary school enrollment had nearly doubled, while secondary enrollment had increased 18-fold and higher education enrollment 25-fold.
Access to financial services, he said, had risen from about 20% to more than 90%, while Rwanda’s economy had grown more than 130-fold between 1994 and 2025.
Rwanda Shima Imana began in 2012 and brings together members of different religious denominations annually to give thanks and reflect on the country’s progress and future.
