The Minister of Local Government urge young people who have completed their rehabilitation to make good use of traings received
The Minister of Local Government urge young people who have completed their rehabilitation to make good use of traings received
On August 1, 2026, at Iwawa Rehabilitation Center, a campaign was launched to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and substandard alcohol. The campaign was held in conjunction with the graduation of over 2,000 young people who had completed rehabilitation and vocational training at the centre.
The campaign launch was officiated by the Minister of Local Government, Dominique HABIMANA, alongside the Inspector General of Police, Felix NAMUHORANYE, the Governor of the Western Province, Jean Bosco NTIBITURA, and the Director General of NRS, Fred Mufulukye.
In his remarks to the young people preparing to return to their communities, Minister Dominique urged them to avoid falling back into deviant behaviours or associating with friends who might pull them back into their former habits. Instead, he encouraged them to always think about actions that would improve their lives. He said:
“Whenever you wake up in the morning asking yourself, ‘Where should I go? What should I do?’, and you don’t find an answer, approach the nearest authorities and tell them that you want help finding employment or something meaningful to do. But don’t wake up and have nothing to do. You must commit yourselves to seeking work that improves the lives of your families and contributes to the development of your country, and we are ready to support you.”
Minister Dominique reminded the youth that the next important challenge ahead of them is to demonstrate positive change in their families and daily lives. He said:
“The important step ahead is to show your families the positive transformation you have undergone and your commitment to starting a purposeful new life. That’s how you will convince them that you have benefited from your rehabilitation journey.”
The Minister also emphasized that maintaining the positive changes they have achieved is their primary responsibility. He emphasized the importance of patience and making sustainable decisions rather than being driven by emotions or momentary excitement, as this would help prevent them from finding themselves once again in situations that could lead them back to bad habits.
He also asked them to use the knowledge and skills they had gained to engage in productive activities that contribute to economic development, create self-reliant livelihoods, and contribute to the development and well-being of their families and the country. He stressed the importance of living harmoniously with others and urged the youth to avoid all forms of conflict, whether within their families or in their communities.
He concluded by asking the youth to continue being exemplary citizens in their families and among their communities. He emphasized that avoiding drugs and substandard alcohol, living a purposeful life, and fulfilling their civic responsibilities would enable them to contribute to building secure families and a country characterised by security and sustainable development.