NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI – The Kigali Independent University (ULK) has compensated eight families for their former students who perished in a motor accident along Kigali Gatuna highway late last year. 

The compensation package was a  Rwf3 million claim from Corar Insurance Company which holds a Students’ Risk Insurance (RC Scolaire) with ULK.

Addressing the recipients, the ULK Rector Prof. Alphonse Ngagi explained that each of their students pays Rwf.1,000 annually as insurance which covers risks such as road accidents. 

"Students are exposed to dangers such as road accidents while travelling to and from university because  the majority of them are non residents. That is why ULK chose to insure them with Corar to prepare for such unforeseen calamities,” said Ngagi.

On his part the Director General of Corar, Joseph Mugenga advised all private institutions of higher learning to insure their students against life risks.

"Rwf.1000 paid annually by each student is little compared to the risk a student is exposed to while moving to and from school,” he said.

The late students whose families benefited from the compensation were identified as Jovite Rutayisire, Josephine Mujawimana, Prosper Ruzibiza, Martin Bizimana, Domine Nyirahabumugisha, Manasse Rwatangabo, Narcise Twagirimana and Pierre Ntawuruhunga.

The fatal accident claimed 11 people’s lives on the spot when a transit goods truck transporting cement from Kasese in Western Uganda to Bujumbura in Burundi, collided with a commuter taxi with students on board.

The accident took place at Rusumo trading centre, along Kigali- Gatuna highway.

Only the taxi driver Elie Gasore and another student Prosper Nkamubudutwa survived with critical injuries.

The police indicated that the truck driver Jamvier Mfitiye, a Burundi national had dozed off at the time of the accident and had left his lane - leading to a head-on collision.

"The driver of the transit truck was reportedly asleep when the vehicle went astray ramming into the minibus destroying it beyond recognition and ruining two roadside houses,” Police said.

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