The families of the eight students from Kigali Independent University (ULK) who died in a car accident along the Kigali- Gatuna highway on Monday night, are to be compensated courtesy of the institution’s life insurance scheme.

Earlier this week, eleven people died on the spot when a transit goods truck collided with a commuter taxi at Rusumo Trading Centre. Eight of the victims were ULK students who were returning home after attending evening classes.

According to the ULK Director of Finance and Administration, (DAF) each of the bereaved families will receive Rwf 3 million from the university’s insurance fund in reparations for the loss of their beloved ones.

"It is a policy here at the university for every student to be insured in case of death or accidents,” Jacques Nsegiyumva the university’s DAF) told The New Times in an exclusive interview.

The accident left one student critically injured and now hospitalised at Kigali University Hospital (CHK), and according to Nsengiyumva, the student will be receive Rwf 500,000.

"The university collects RWF 1,000 from every student every year as insurance and this has helped in compensating the families of those students who die or sustained injuries while still at the university,” Nsegiyumva added.

Seven of the deceased were buried on Tuesday after a requiem mass held at Gicumbi stadium and one Jovite Rutayisire was buried on Wednesday.

All business at the Gisozi-based university came to a standstill Tuesday as the day was declared a holiday in honour of the deceased.

"Everyone in administration had to travel to Byumba for the burial ceremony of the deceased and the university declared Tuesday a holiday to mourn our students” said Kanyamasoro Muhirwe, the Dean of Students.

The deceased who are all residents of Gicumbi in the Northern Province, died on their way from school where they commuted daily to school.

Most of the students who died were working at the Gicumbi District and were married with families in Byumba.

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