SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — Like a seasonal stream that only comes back to life after a heavy down pour, the National University of Rwanda (NUR) breathes life into Butare town.

Over the last two months, the town looked like a ghost land. There has been not much activity especially in the service sectors. Most eating joints around the university campus had closed down and the night life was almost dead.

With a student population of close to 10,000, NUR provides the much needed clientele to almost all businesses in town. From the restaurant owner to the second hand clothes seller in Butare market, the university remains the major client.

The opening of the new academic year has suddenly pumped new life in the aging town. Restaurants have reopened, transport agencies are in brisk business and there is bee-hive activity at the central market as students shop for clothing and foodstuffs.

Some transport agencies have gone a mile further to give discounts to students so as to have a large market share. SOTRA is such one agency that has given ticket discounts to university students and staff on all routes in the country.

Even the number of beggars has suddenly shot up this week. Students, especially the female ones are seen as generous and therefore an easy target by the beggars. Our ‘bosses’ are back, said one Nimbona, a beggar always camped at the Varsity main gate.

"I have come to welcome them back,” he added, before finally uttering that cliché ‘wanfuguriye’ (give me something to eat) to passersby.

At Matar Supermarket, the main one in town, shoppers are coming in droves.

"Business has been so low over the last two months. The opening of the new academic year means a lot for businesses. The number of shoppers has suddenly shot up,” said one Hassan of Matar Supermarket.

At the Melotwist night club, a popular hangout for university students, the owners are cleaning their equipment and the dance floor.

"Business has been at its lowest over the last two months. We are preparing to welcome ‘freshers’ (new students) with a special night of music and dance,” said Thierry Uwimana, the proprietor of Melotwist night club.

Some business persons have however, chosen to be cautious. They have refused to be taken up by the wave of what they described as seasonal shoppers.

"I have been in business in this town for ten years now. The purchasing power of the students is never consistent. Many of them rely on student loans which take long to come sometimes,” said Jean Claude Niyibizi, a second- hand clothes dealer in Butare central market.

The opening of the new academic year has also meant a rise in house rent in the Varsity suburbs of Mukoni and Tumba. Students are expected to fork out as much as Rwf50, 000 for a two bedroom house a month.

There is a bias against female students by most house owners. According to Jean Paul Murangwa, a house broker working in Butare town, house owners prefer males because they are less demanding.

Ends