The message was delivered by Vice Chairman Hon. Uwimana Consolée during the official opening of the 6th National Congress of the party’s youth league, which brought together more than 2,000 participants on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

In her address, she encouraged youth to embrace innovation and actively contribute to solving challenges facing communities. She warned against drug use and other harmful behaviors, noting that they not only damage health but can also lead to legal consequences.

She also stressed the responsibility of young people to protect children, highlighting that crimes such as defilement are serious offenses that must be prevented through collective effort.

Youth were further urged to prioritize education, participate in government programs, and preserve the Kinyarwanda language as part of safeguarding national identity and culture. Additionally, they were encouraged to leverage technology to support national development and security.

Parents, on their part, were reminded of their role in instilling strong values in their children, as a foundation for a responsible and resilient society.

Statistics underline the scale of the issue: in 2024, over 6,400 individuals were held in rehabilitation centers due to drug abuse, around 4,000 related cases were handled by courts, and approximately 5,000 people seek medical treatment each year for drug-related conditions.