University of Rwanda

New study shows best approach to combat childhood stunting using special analysis and smart data

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-05-11T17:24:22Z

A new doctoral study by Clarisse Kagoyire is offering Rwanda and other countries facing similar challenges a more precise way to identify and address childhood stunting. Conducted as part of her PhD at Lund University under the UR-Sweden Programme, the research introduces advanced spatial modelling techniques that help pinpoint where stunting is most severe and what factors are driving it at a local level.

Childhood stunting, defined by the World Health Organization as impaired growth and development due to chronic malnutrition and adverse living conditions, remains a major public health concern. While Rwanda has made notable national progress in reducing stunting, disparities persist across districts and even within communities. These inequalities highlight the need for more targeted, data-driven interventions.

Dr Kagoyire while defending her PhD thesis

Kagoyire's research responds to this need by combining two rich datasets. The first comes from a detailed household survey conducted in Rwanda's Northern Province, focusing on children aged 1 to 36 months. This dataset captures growth measurements alongside household conditions, maternal and child health, hygiene practices, and geocoded locations. The second dataset provides nationwide coverage through geospatial estimates derived from Rwanda's Demographic and Health Survey. Together, these datasets allow for both fine-scale local analysis and broader national insights.

Across four interconnected studies, the research moves from traditional spatial analysis to more advanced machine learning approaches. Findings from the Northern Province show that about 27% of children in the study area are stunted, with clear geographic clustering ; higher rates in Musanze and lower rates in Rulindo. Crucially, the study reveals that the factors associated with stunting are not uniform across locations. Access to basic services such as handwashing facilities and electricity consistently reduces the likelihood of stunting, but their impact varies from place to place.

The research goes further to show that these relationships are often complex, operating at different scales and in non-linear ways. This means that national averages or one-size-fits-all interventions may overlook important local realities. To address this, Kagoyire applies innovative models that “learn” local patterns directly from the data, improving the accuracy of identifying high-risk areas while maintaining interpretability for policymakers.

At the national level, the study uses graph-based deep learning to account for connections between neighboring regions, recognizing that nearby communities often share similar risks and services. It also incorporates explainable machine learning techniques to identify key drivers of stunting in different locations and to simulate “what-if” scenarios. These scenarios suggest that the most significant reductions in stunting could be achieved through combined, multisector interventions ; particularly improvements in water and sanitation, maternal and child healthcare, and malaria prevention. Notably, the greatest potential gains are concentrated in areas already experiencing the highest burden.

Rather than producing a single model or map, the thesis contributes a scalable and transferable workflow that links detailed local data with national-level decision-making. The outputs ; presented as practical maps and decision-support tools ; are designed to help policymakers prioritize interventions, allocate resources more effectively, and sequence integrated actions.

While the study relies on observational data and does not establish direct causation, it provides strong predictive insights that can guide policy and program design. By emphasizing place-specific and scale-sensitive analysis, Kagoyire's work demonstrates how modern data science can move beyond describing problems to actively supporting solutions ; ensuring that interventions reach the children and communities that need them most.

Dr Clarisse Kagoyire obtained her PhD degree from Lund University in Sweden

UR teams up with 3 other universities to establish the Global Health Hub in Kigali

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-04-27T14:21:00Z

University of Rwanda, University of Global Health Equity, INES Ruhengeri, and Aarhus University from Danmark, have established a strategic quadripartite partnership to create the Global Health Hub in Kigali, to serve as a collaborative platform for advancing research, academic exchange, innovation, policy engagement, and health systems strengthening. The official launch took place on 27th April 2026 at UR Headquarters.

The hub builds upon existing collaborations among the partner institutions and aligns with Rwanda's national priorities for health systems strengthening, human capital development, research excellence, and international academic cooperation.

It seeks to bridge academia, healthcare practice, and policy implementation while fostering equitable partnerships between institutions in Rwanda and internationally.

In his remarks, Prof. Kayihura M. Didas UR, Vice Chancellor, highlighted that the hub is intended to foster strong collaborative partnerships.

“These partnerships will enhance teaching and learning through the introduction of innovative approaches, improve research quality, and support the translation of research into practice” Kayihura emphasized.

He also underscored the importance of collaboration in PhD education, particularly in improving the curriculum and strengthening supervision, adding that this collaboration will strengthen faculty capacity through training, academic exchanges, and the integration of technology-based teaching and learning methods.

The hub will focus on joint research and grant development, faculty and student mobility, global health education and curriculum development, digital health innovation, health systems strengthening, mental health and community wellbeing, climate and planetary health, public health preparedness and response, knowledge translation and policy engagement among other key areas.

Kwibuka 32 : UR community honors memory and renews the resolve to shape the future

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-04-23T14:13:00Z

For the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the University of Rwanda community gathered at Huye Campus to honor 563 victims laid to rest at the campus memorial site. In the lead-up to the main event, activities included a night vigil and a “Walk to Remember” through Huye town.

During the night vigil, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayihura M. Didas, expressed deep regret that a national university failed Rwanda at a critical moment in history, urging hearts to rise and rebuild a better future from a tragic past. He emphasized that only a united, relentless stand against genocide ideology can truly honor that duty. Kayihura also lamented that a university ; meant to be a gathering place for intellectuals and a model of society's highest values ; became a scene of unimaginable atrocity, describing it as a profound disgrace to the country.

Looking ahead, the Vice Chancellor underscored the university's critical mandate : to instill proper values in the young generation entering campus, champion lasting peace, and actively contribute to building a country that everyone desires to live in.

In her testimony, a survivor who was then a medical student at the former National University of Rwanda recounted the Genocide against the Tutsi with piercing clarity. She narrated the tragic scenes she and her colleagues went through as they were moved from place to place by killers, and commended the courage of those who managed to save her and a few colleagues.

In her remarks, the Chief Justice and Guest of Honour, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, conveyed a message of comfort to survivors and urged solidarity during the commemoration period.

“Commemoration is a time to honor victims and reflect on Rwanda's painful history, so that lessons guide the building of a united, inclusive country free from discrimination and division,” she said.

She also noted that the Genocide was enabled by long-standing policies of division and discrimination, revealing that even educated individuals participated ; proving that knowledge without values is dangerous.

In his address, Dr. Philbert Gakwenzire, a historian at the University of Rwanda, reflected on the painful truth that, despite the presence of United Nations troops at the onset of the Genocide against the Tutsi, their withdrawal left a nation unprotected. This culminated in the loss of over a million lives. Gakwenzire concluded that Rwanda's history belongs to all Rwandans, and so does the responsibility to tell it truthfully and relentlessly. While the past cannot be changed, it must guide transformation and shape a better future.

Click here for more photos about commemoration

Newly launched Centre for Genocide and Conflict Studies to strengthen fight against Genocide ideology

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-04-17T09:12:00Z

The University of Rwanda brought together government officials, researchers, academics, and activists for the launch of the Centre for Genocide and Conflict Studies (CGCS), formerly the Centre for Conflict Management. The event was presided over by the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana.

Participants at the launch of the Centre for Genocide and Conflict Studies

In his remarks, Joseph Nsengimana emphasized that the fight against genocide ideology and divisionism must go beyond history books. He urged the Centre to sustain momentum by leveraging research and knowledge to counter misinformation, denial, and hate speech, especially in today's digital age.

“In an era of information overload, truth itself must be taught, protected, and defended. We encourage strong partnerships locally and globally to ensure that the CGCS achieves the scale and impact it deserves,” he said.

Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana addresses participants

He expressed strong confidence that the new Centre will evolve into a leading hub for research, education, and policy engagement ; one that helps anticipate and prevent risks before they escalate.

“A platform that transforms memory into knowledge and knowledge into action ; a platform that contributes meaningfully to a more peaceful Rwanda, a more stable region, and a more humane world,” the Minister added.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura Didas noted that the transition from CCM to CGCS represents change while preserving continuity. According to him, the inclusion of “genocide” alongside “conflict” in the Centre's new name reflects a deliberate focus on both areas.

“The adjustment is justified by global and regional conflict dynamics, as well as national development priorities and commitments,” noted Kayihura.

The launch of the Centre also featured the unveiling of a powerful book, The Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda : An Unavoidable Consequence of Criminal Policies and Political Crimes from 1959 to 1994 by Amb. François Xavier Ngarambe.

Amb. François Xavier Ngarambe (L) presents his book to Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura Didas following its launch

Participants commended the book for its clear and compelling account of the chronological stages through which the Genocide was orchestrated from 1959. It highlights the deliberate policies and actions of the genocidal regime that mobilized widespread participation, ultimately leading to the killing of more than one million Tutsi.

The event brought together participants from diverse backgrounds

Participants pose for a group photo during the launch event

UR strengthens collaboration retired scholars to advance research and teaching

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-04-03T14:46:00Z

UR Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayihura M. Didas, received the leadership of the Retired University Staff Association (RUSA) for discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration. The meeting focused on identifying practical ways through which retired academic staff can continue to contribute their wealth of expertise and professional experience to teaching, research, and community engagement.

Both parties reflected on the existing Memorandum of Understanding and explored strategies to enhance its implementation. Particular attention was given to creating structured opportunities for retired staff to support ongoing academic programs, mentor early-career academics, and participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Kayihura emphasized the value of leveraging the experience of retired scholars. He noted that their continued involvement could significantly strengthen research capacity, especially through collaboration with current university staff to address pressing societal challenges.

“Retired researchers possess invaluable knowledge and experience. By working alongside our academic staff, they can contribute meaningfully to finding solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our communities,” he said.

Discussions also highlighted priority areas for collaboration, including early prevention and detection of diseases, as well as research on prevalent health challenges such as cancer and other non-communicable diseases. Participants noted that these areas could benefit greatly from well-coordinated research and community awareness campaigns.

Given that RUSA members come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, their engagement is expected to enhance multidisciplinary approaches to research and outreach. Their strong connection to communities, combined with years of experience, positions them well to support impactful initiatives that bridge academia and society.

The meeting reaffirmed the University of Rwanda's commitment to inclusive collaboration, recognizing retired staff as a vital resource in advancing its mission of teaching, research, and community service.

UR explores strategic health research partnership with European Digital UniverCity Alliance

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-04-01T14:42:00Z

The University of Rwanda hosted a delegation from the European Digital UniverCity Alliance to explore opportunities for collaboration in medical science, with a strong focus on biotechnology and biomedical engineering. The delegation included representatives from three European universities including University of Cagliari, University of Pécs and Masaryk University respectively from Italy, Hungary, and Czechia.

The visitors were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Didas Kayihura, in the presence of Ms. Zsófia Antal, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Hungary in Rwanda. In his remarks, Prof. Kayihura welcomed the partnership initiative and emphasized the importance of formalizing the collaboration to strengthen capacity in vaccine research and development, viral epidemiology, and outbreak response.

The delegation was led by Prof. István Tarrósy from the University of Pécs, who commended the significant progress made by the University of Rwanda, particularly within the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. He highlighted the impact of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management as a key platform creating value for both institutions.

Discussions also focused on concrete areas for immediate collaboration, building on existing initiatives such as the Centres of Excellence in vaccine and Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and projects like Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, medicines & health technology products in Africa (MAV+). These efforts are expected to serve as catalysts for advancing joint research, innovation, and skills development in critical health fields.

The engagement marks another step in strengthening international academic partnerships aimed at addressing global health challenges through research, innovation, and shared expertise.

Health professionals & data managers equipped to drive accurate health data coding with ICD-11

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-04-01T14:29:00Z

In a bid to strengthen national capacity in the use of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) for accurate, standardized, and interoperable health data coding, a five-day training workshop was held at the University of Rwanda. The training brought together health professionals, including clinicians, data managers, and monitoring and evaluation specialists from institutions such as the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Social Security Board, University of Rwanda, and Rwanda Biomedical Centre, among others.

The workshop was organized through a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the University of Rwanda, and the World Health Organization, aiming to build a critical mass of skilled professionals who will operationalize and sustain ICD-11 implementation in Rwanda's health system.

Speaking during the training, Prof. Emile Rwamasirabo highlighted past challenges associated with disease coding. He noted that clinicians often found data entry burdensome, with some resisting the process altogether. Identifying the correct codes under ICD-10 was time-consuming and interfered with clinical duties, particularly given the demands of patient care. This challenge underscored the need to train dedicated coding professionals, at a time when the country had limited capacity to do so.

Prof. Rwamasirabo, Urological Surgeon, educator and healthcare manager with over 35 years of experience further explained that the introduction of ICD-11 has significantly addressed these challenges. He described the new system as more user-friendly, comprehensive, and better aligned with the practical needs of clinicians, making disease coding faster and more efficient.

The training was facilitated by experts including Dr Islam Ibrahim, a professional trainer affiliated with the World Health Organization's Family of International Classifications (FIC) Network. She emphasized that ICD-10 was not user-friendly, as it often required extensive time to identify the correct codes, involving consultation of multiple manuals and guidelines.

“With ICD-10, it could take up to two years in countries like Australia to become a certified coder. ICD-11 was developed to address these limitations and simplify the coding process,” she explained.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) serves as a global standard for classifying diseases, injuries, and causes of death, enabling the production of comparable mortality and morbidity statistics across countries and over time. The latest version, ICD-11, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2019 and implemented globally from January 2022, offers enhanced interoperability and is designed for seamless integration with digital health systems, significantly improving coding accuracy and efficiency.
Logistical arrangements for the training were coordinated by the University of Rwanda's Single Project Implementation Unit.

Click here for more about training photos

Excelling beyond academics : UR students shine in culture and creativity

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-03-31T15:21:00Z

UR students have once again demonstrated their excellence beyond the classroom, emerging as top performers at the National Cultural Dance and Poetry Competition for Higher Learning Institutions. Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Arts, the competition brought together 10 cultural dance troupes and 11 individual poets from universities and higher learning institutions across the country.

In the cultural dance category, UR was represented by teams from Nyarugenge, Huye, and Busogo campuses. The Huye Campus troupe secured first place, winning a prize of 7 million Rwandan francs, while the Nyarugenge Campus troupe finished third, earning 3 million Rwandan francs.

Nyarugenge Campus troupe during their performance

UR students also excelled in individual categories. Cyuzuzo from Busogo Campus was named Best Dancer, Felix from Huye Campus won Best Singer, and Isimbi emerged as the overall best performer of the competition.

Speaking at the event, Sandrine Umutoni, State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Arts, noted that the competition aims to encourage students in universities and higher learning institutions to appreciate Rwanda's rich cultural heritage and explore opportunities to turn it into viable ventures. She also commended the participating institutions for their support in making the event a success.

Photo sections showing troupes and individual students who scooped awards for their outstanding performances at the National Cultural Dance and Poetry Competition for Higher Learning Institutions, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Arts. University leaders also attended the finals in support of the participants

“You are the reason this competition was possible, and we thank the institutions that supported participants, including facilitating logistics for the troupes and poets,” she said, praising both the students and their institutions.

Industry Connect Series set to empower UR students withs skills for dynamic tech careers

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-03-26T15:15:00Z

College of Science and Technology in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, has launched the Industry Connect Series ; a structured platform designed to connect students with practitioners from government, industry, and the broader digital ecosystem. The initiative aims to provide regular opportunities for students, many of whom are preparing for careers in technology and digital fields, to better understand Rwanda's digital priorities, explore emerging technologies, and discover potential career pathways.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of State in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation encouraged students to seize the opportunity, actively engage with industry players, and confidently showcase their potential. He emphasized that the collaboration marks a strategic step toward positioning UR-CST as a leading hub for sourcing top tech talent.

State Minister Yves Iradukunda (L) and CST Principal Prof Ignace Gatare

Speaking at the event, Prof. Ignace Gatare, Principal of the College of Science and Technology, noted that the initiative aligns with the University's graduate attributes, particularly the attribute of shaping globally competent citizens. He added that the series offers a comprehensive learning experience that broadens students' opportunities and equips them to excel in their future careers.

The inaugural session featured representatives from various tech companies, who shared insights into their professional journeys and highlighted the skills required in today's job market. Students were encouraged to remain curious, ask questions, and confidently demonstrate their talents and potential. Participating companies included Harambee, Test Company, The Gym, and Teknowledge.

students who attended the inaugural ceremony

The Industry Connect Series will be held monthly, with each session focusing on a specific theme. Activities will include guest lectures, industry exhibitions, company showcases, field visits, technology demonstrations, career clinics, and other thematic events aimed at enriching students' learning and professional exposure.

Panel session from various tech companies, sharing insights into their professional journeys while highlighting the skills required in today's job market

Ndayambaje wins Regional Metrology Video Competition 2026

MURANGWA Darius — 2026-03-16T13:09:00Z

Vedaste Ndayambaje, a year three Anesthesia student at the UR's College of Medicine and Health Sciences, has emerged as the winner of the Regional Metrology Video Competition 2026.

Organized by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the competition seeks to simplify and communicate the concept of metrology ; measurement science ; to the public in an engaging and accessible way. It also encourages participants to use creative approaches to raise awareness about the importance of accurate measurement in everyday life.

Ndayambaje stood out for his innovative video, which used simple, relatable examples to demonstrate how measurement science ensures fairness and safety in daily activities. Through clear visuals and minimal technical language, his work effectively illustrated why metrology matters ; from buying food to fueling vehicles.

Ndayambaje emerged as the winner of the Regional Metrology Video Competition 2026.

“Metrology is not just about science in laboratories ; it is what protects people's health and ensures fairness in everyday transactions,” Ndayambaje said, reflecting on the role of metrology in the society.

He noted that his motivation for joining the competition was to use his video production skills to make science more understandable and relevant to the public. His participation also helped him develop the ability to translate complex ideas into clear and engaging visual stories.

Beyond the award, Ndayambaje says the experience deepened his appreciation of how much society depends on accurate measurements, shaping his awareness of the critical role science plays in ensuring fairness and safety in everyday life.

Your browser does not support the video tag.