Over 100 students from Rwanda enrolled at Uganda Christian University-Bishop Barham University College this academic year due to desire to get equipped with the English language.
The University that is under the patronage of Anglican Church of Uganda is situated at one of the hills in Kabale District that shares boundaries with Rwanda via Gatuna border post.
Rwanda joined commonwealth countries and has made English one of her official language as mode of communication.
“You know Rwanda has introduced English language as a mode of communication, so we went to the University to have that richer English language speaking from a country that has used it since her existence,” Aline kwizera one of the Rwandan students who turned up in Kigali where the University opened its liason office at Anglican Provincial offices near Amahoro National Stadium.
“There are also a number of other benefits we get though Rwandan Universities seems to be relatively cheaper,” kwizera added.
Hundreds of Rwandan students have flocked Ugandan Universities like Kabare University, Kampala International University, and Makerere University in search for English language, or courses that take shorter time also allowing them to do field studies two-three times.
An estimation of 200 Rwandan students have graduated in Diploma, Bachelors’ Degree and Masters degree programmes since the University begun in 2000.
According to Canon Jovan Turyamureba Deputy Principal of the University the students at the University get a unique package because they instill morals, ethics and integrity based on biblical principles.
“Some people have been so corrupt and have caused some institutions drag their feet in employing graduates even though they would be thirsty of their skills,” Canon Turyamureba said in Kigali.
“At Uganda Christian University we believe that a person is complete when he/she gets academic feeding the mind, Body and the soul. You cannot be complete if you are piled with academics yet spiritualy empty,” Turyamureba explained.
He also said that some people have graduated even with PHDs and cannot even manage their own lives or families and become a total disgrace in their respective communities due to lack of instilled morals, ethics and integrity.
Pastor Emmanuel Mugiraneza who is studying a Masters degree at the university has been chosen as the liason officer representing the University in Rwanda.
Mugiraneza says there are some courses offered by the University has and not given in Rwandan University like Gender and development studies which would be a very good course to help Rwanda in her efforts Gender equality.
Other international students come from Burundi, DR Congo, Sudan, Kenya, USA, and UK and offers certificates to Masters Degree in Theology, Economics & Management, entrepreneurs & Project Management, Social Works & Social Administration, Education & Business Administration, Environment studies and Development studies among others.
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