Four lawmakers, including Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba, Senate’s vice-president, were among yesterday’s graduates at the University of Rwanda’s inaugural graduation ceremony.

Gakuba, MP Connie Bwiza Sekamana, and MP Georgette Rutayisire, graduated with Masters in Public Administration, while MP Iphigénie Mukandera graduated with Maters in Genocide studies and Prevention.

"I am so thankful to God that I made it. I am also thankful to the university and the government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Local government for sponsoring me. This masters will improve my performance in the Senate,” Gakuba said.

She said combining senatorial duties with family and school had been a challenge, but all she wanted was to improve her leadership capacity.

"After my plenary sessions, in the evenings, I could rush to campus to join other students. I also did my course work just like any other student. I felt  youthful again, it was a great experience,” Gakuba said.

"It was a sacrifice, but I have gained a lot. We need innovation and creativity in the country, and I think my newly acquired skills will help a lot.”

MP Sekamana told The New Times that pursuing development studies was aimed at ensuring that her studies incorporate the development agenda of the country.

"The course is cross-cutting. It has gender-related issues, national and international economic aspects, as well as environment issues. As a lawmaker, I definitely find having a masters in this course an added advantage,” Sekamana.

Gakuba said the government, through Ministry of Local Government gave opportunities to government officials and other  civil servants who wished to upgrade their studies to do so.

And that is how she ended up resuming her studies after 27 years out of school.

A number of police officers, including ACP Damas Gatare,  the Police spokesman, also graduated in various disciplines.

A total of 402 students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) and 809 students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences graduated on the first day of UR’s five-day inaugural graduation ceremonies.