Jeannette Kagame Hosts Central African Republic’s First Lady to Showcase Imbuto

Kigali, July 3, 2026 - Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, on Thursday welcomed Central African Republic First Lady Brigitte Touadéra for discussions focused on the work of the Imbuto Foundation and its contribution to improving the well-being of communities through health, education and youth empowerment programmes. The meeting highlighted the Foundation’s achievements since its establishment in 2001, with Mrs. Kagame outlining its role in complementing national development efforts by promoting access to quality education, strengthening healthcare initiatives and empowering women and young people. Among its flagship initiatives is the Inkubito y'Icyeza programme, launched in 2005 to reward top-performing girls in national examinations marking the transition from primary to secondary education. Between 2005 and 2025, the programme recognised more than 7,600 students for their academic excellence. The Foundation also runs the Edified Generation programme, which supports secondary school students by covering tuition fees and providing essential learning materials to help them complete their education. In addition, the Imbuto Foundation has expanded support for vulnerable families through childcare initiatives. Over the past two years, it has assisted more than 5,000 childcare centres serving families participating in Rwanda's Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP) across all 30 districts. The visit provided an opportunity for the two First Ladies to exchange views on initiatives aimed at improving social welfare and promoting inclusive development through community-based programmes.