President Paul Kagame has dismissed rumors about his health, explaining that the period he spent away from public appearances was simply time taken to rest and spend with his grandchildren.
In an interview published on April 3, 2026, by Jeune Afrique, Kagame addressed concerns that emerged in June 2025 when he stayed out of the public eye for about three weeks, prompting speculation about his health.
He said there was nothing unusual about taking time off and noted that he could have taken even a month to rest with his grandchildren.
Kagame also emphasized that his health is in good condition, stating that if he were compared with 100 people of the same age from countries such as France, United States, or United Kingdom, he would likely be among the top ten in terms of health.
During the same period in June 2025, the Government Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, clarified that the president was simply on leave after a period of intense public engagements.