President Paul Kagame has called for fairness, understanding and respect for social values following the detention of a woman accused of indecent dressing, saying she had done nothing wrong.

Speaking to approximately 10,000 young people at BK Arena on October 21, 2026, Kagame said he contacted Rwanda National Police Chief, Commissioner General Felix Namuhoranye, to establish what had happened after videos of the incident circulated on social media.

The footage showed two police officers handcuffing the woman and placing her in a vehicle in August 2026. Rwanda National Police later announced that the officers had been detained and the woman cleared.

Kagame said the police chief explained that the officers had misunderstood their instructions. After requesting a photograph of the woman, the President questioned why she had been detained, saying he could not identify anything inappropriate that justified the action.

The President also urged the public to consider the difficult working conditions police officers sometimes face, noting that exhaustion can contribute to mistakes.

“Sometimes, try to understand them and forgive them. They start work early and become tired. They deal with many challenges, and sometimes they reach a point of exhaustion and make a mistake,” Kagame said.

He also addressed broader questions about clothing and public behaviour, explaining that expectations differ according to social settings. Clothing considered appropriate at a beach, for example, may be viewed differently in another public environment.

Kagame stressed that discussions about dressing standards should involve both men and women, arguing that social expectations apply to everyone.

He further explained that societies develop cultural values, rules and boundaries through shared understanding. When disagreements emerge over what should be accepted, he encouraged dialogue instead of confrontation.

Addressing young people, Kagame urged them to question practices they believe are harmful and contribute constructively to discussions about cultural values.

The incident has renewed debate about personal expression, cultural expectations and police conduct. Kagame’s remarks highlighted the importance of balancing respect for social norms with fairness, accountability and the proper application of police instructions.

He called for disagreements to be resolved through mutual understanding rather than conflict, encouraging young people to help shape society through responsible dialogue.

A little more informed. A little more connected.