NYAGATARE - Umutara Polytechnic University is constructing a hostel that will accommodate close to 600 students.

In an interview, the vice Rector in charge of administration and finance, Richard Kalimba, expressed optimism that the project will solve accommodation problems beginning with the next academic year in 2010. 

"The building is in its final stages…we are optimistic that it will be completed within the coming holidays,” he said. 

He added that apart from the new hostel being constructed by ‘Hostels 2020’ S.a.r.l, a private real estate development company, the university has signed a memorandum of understanding with private local investors in the district to construct more hostels. 

"Through public private partnership (PPP), we have signed a deal with different investors in Nyagatare District to construct more hostels that will be ready by the next academic year,” he said. 

The campus has been depending on one investor, ‘St.Monica Hostel’ to accommodate their students. 

Meanwhile, about 338 government sponsored students accommodated at St. Monica Hostel located in Nyagatare, claim that the hostel management  has failed to provide them with meals for about 35 days this year which is part of the accommodation package. Consequently they are demanding for a refund which they estimate at  Five Million Francs. According a  contract signed between the university and the hostel, students are supposed to receive three meals a day at a cost of Rwf600 a day.  

Kalimba said that the administration has received the student’s complaints, and they have contacted hostel management in question to urgently address  the issue.

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