Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva presided over the graduation, which was also attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
This is the first cohort of doctors to receive degrees from the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) after six and a half years of training.
While the university was founded in 2015 with support from Partners In Health (PIH), its permanent Butaro campus was later inaugurated on January 25, 2019, by President Paul Kagame and the late Dr. Paul Farmer. Today, UGHE offers six university-level programs in partnership with Harvard University, sharing both curriculum design and faculty.
In 2024, Times Higher Education ranked UGHE fourth among 129 leading universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Students at UGHE come from countries including Rwanda, the United States, Canada, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Lesotho, Uganda, and beyond.
Rwandan graduates say their training equips them to support national healthcare goals. Dr. Eden Gatesi commented, 'Rwanda is working to increase both the number and quality of doctors. I am ready to contribute, especially in rural areas, as that is where our training focused.'
Dr. Mfura Hertier added, 'Our education goes beyond treating patients. We are taught to consider factors that contribute to illness and prevent disease before it spreads.'
Dr. Delphine Mizero emphasized the holistic approach of UGHE, saying, 'Medicine alone is not enough. We study patients within their community context to understand all factors affecting their health.'
Since UGHE's inception, 330 students have earned master's degrees, with 444 currently enrolled.
Prof. Abebe Bekele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research, highlighted UGHE's impact: 'Over the past decade, UGHE has significantly improved the health and well-being of communities in Rwanda and across Africa through high-quality education, medical care, research, and community-centered healthcare.'
UGHE's Kigali campus also offers third-level courses in Global Health Delivery. Beyond education, the university has supported Rwandans through training and employment initiatives. Over 128,000 people have received entrepreneurship training, and 1,260 individuals have found jobs through Butaro campus projects. Since 2016, 670 leaders from 56 African countries have received specialized training at UGHE.
The university is expected to help Rwanda achieve a healthcare workforce of four medical professionals per 1,000 people. Currently, Rwanda has only one doctor per 1,000 residents.
The plan anticipates 8,378 new medical students enrolling each year, with 32,973 graduates projected by 2028. These will include 1,686 general practitioners, 185 dentists, 832 medical specialists, 15,770 nurses, 5,209 midwives, and 8,394 other health professionals supporting doctors.
IGIHE
