Authorities in Rwanda have ordered its nationals who were studying in Ugandan universities to enroll as first-year students. According to a Rwandan Students' publication, The Chronicles, several university students who were studying in Ugandan universities were blocked at Cyanika border and ordered not to return after the country closed its borders with Uganda.
Among the students affected by the Uganda-Rwanda bilateral relations includes final year students. A one Deo Nahimana, a finalist at Uganda Christian University pursuing Information Technology was still in Rwanda when the travel advisory was issued.
When he tried to leave the country via Cyanika border, he was blocked with authorities maintaining that Uganda is not safe for Rwandan citizens.
He also unsuccessfully attempted crossing into Uganda via Kagitumba border.
The students were advised to seek vacancies in local institutions.
"Local Government Minister Prof Anastase Shyaka indicated that affected students would all be enrolled in local schools," The Chronicles stated.
When Nahimana contacted the University of Kigali's Musanze district campus, the University of Technology and Business Studies Gisenyi Campus and the Kigali Independent University (ULK), they all responded but only on one condition — he must accept to start as a Year One student.
Other students were stranded for the courses they were pursuing are not offered in any of the Rwanda universities.
"The universities I contacted told me that the curricula are different in the two countries," he said.
Nsengiyumva Espoir, who also attended the same faculty as Nahimana in Uganda, told The Chronicles separately that he had contacted more than three universities in Kigali.
"Some either do not have the Information Technology faculty or those that have it told me I have to start afresh," said Nsengiyumva.
The University of Rwanda cancels internship
In a related development, a program that was to take 20 Rwandan journalism students to Uganda for internships is now off as a result of the ongoing standoff between the governments of the two countries.
In January, the University of Rwanda signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uganda's Makerere University under which the latter would facilitate internships for Rwandan journalism students in Ugandan media houses.
"At this point, Fojo and SJC have postponed this activity due to the sensitive situation between Rwanda and Uganda. This has been communicated to the University of Rwanda and the agreed with the decision," said Anki Wood, the Fojo Project Manager for Rwanda and Kenya.
Fojo Project is a program of Fojo Media Institute, Sweden's leading media development centre for professional journalists.
Rwanda insists its citizens are not safe in Uganda. Rwanda also accuses Uganda of supporting rebel groups hostile to the Kigali government. However, Uganda denies the allegations.
Rwanda closed its borders three weeks ago.
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