A Rwandan student on Wednesday emerged third in the East African Community (EAC) essay writing competition. Jean Eudes Benecyo, a student of Petit Seminaire St Alloys in the Western Province, was among four others from the EAC partner states who received awards during the EAC Heads of State summit held in Ngurdoto Mountain lodge, in Arusha, Tanzania.

Benecyo was awarded a certificate of excellence and a prize of US$1,000, as he shook hands with EAC Chairperson, President Paul Kagame and the four EAC Heads of State.

The winners engaged in an appropriate topic on the East African Common Market, which stated that; ‘Discuss the measures which should be put in place to ensure that the East African Common Market benefits the people of the region in the fight against poverty.’  

The competition aims at giving students within the region an opportunity to analyze from their own perspective the benefits of and constraints to the regional integration process.    

Ugandan student Evelyne Nambafu from Nabisunsa Girl’s School scooped the top prize that earned her a certificate of excellence and a cash prize of US$1,500. All schools where the participants came from were also awarded certificates of merit.

The second winner, Daniel Andondile from Tanzania also got a certificate of excellence and a cash prize of US$1,200, while a Kenyan student Monyonko Morra and a Burundian student Miburo Ellion were awarded cash prizes US$750 and US$500 respectively.

The East African Student’s Essay writing competition originates from a decision made by the Council of Ministers during its first meeting held in 2001.

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