Cogebanque Plc awarded the best-performing graduates of the University of Kigali during the graduation ceremony that gathered over 1,800 graduates at Intare Conference Arena in Gasabo district on Friday, March 3. 2023.

Claude Dusengimana, a hearing-impaired person, who got a bachelor’s degree with honours in Information Technology was given a resilient award to pursue a master's programme at University of Kigali.

Cogebanque Plc commended the University of Kigali for promoting special needs education to be inclusive for all students.

Philbert Afrika, the Co-founder and Chairman of the Board noted that the university is set to establish a centre of inclusive education.

"Inclusive education, in fact, we have started a pilot project of training and teaching the blind language. This is the way we can have an inclusive society in our country. It will be established very soon,” he said.

Cogebanque also awarded five graduates with a six-month professional internship.

These include Joseph Ndengeyingoma with a Bachelors’ degree with honours in Business Information Technology, Passible Mugisha with a Bachelors’ degree with honours in Computer Science, Damascene Nshizirungu with Bachelors of Science with honours in Finance, and Providence Mutuyimpundu with Bachelor of Science with honours in Accounting as well as Ninette Uwimbabazi with Bachelor of Science in with honours in supplies and Procurement management.

"I appreciate Cogebanque for awarding me with a master’s degree scholarship which many graduates usually need to be conversant with the labour market,” Mugisha said.

Providence Mutuyimpundu added: "Although I didn’t attend graduation due to different challenges I commend Cogebanque for the award. It is really a motivation and surprise.”

Antoine Iyamuremye, Head of Marketing and Product Development, stated that education is a potent force for change, significantly promotes social stability, and fuels long-term economic growth.

Cogebanque's recognition of the top students at UOK embodies our company values of ethics, innovation, and cooperation and reinforces our commitment to supporting inclusive education. He said.

Those awarded by Cogebanque are among many graduates who were awarded by the university and different partners.

Providence Mutuyimpundu (also awarded by Cogebanque) was awarded as the best overall female undergraduate and got a Master’s degree scholarship to be pursued at the University of Kigali.

Mutuyimpundu beat all females comprising almost 60 per cent of 1,826 graduates who are female.

Paisible Mugisha (also awarded by Cogebanque) was awarded as the best overall male undergraduate and got a Master’s degree scholarship to be pursued at the University of Kigali.

Gift Aduamah, Director of Marketing & Institutional Advancement at University of Kigali said: "We are immensely thankful to Cogebanque for partnering with us in this endeavour and awarding the Best-performing Student at our 7th Graduation with a scholarship of Rwf 2,000,000 to pursue a Master’s Programme at UoK and 5 Professional Internships for 5 other outstanding performers in the Class of 2022.

We look forward to sustaining this partnership in the long term, to encourage excellence and hard work among undergraduate students at UoK."

She said that University of Kigali’s motto "Labour for the future” clearly demonstrates its relentless efforts to sustain a commitment to promoting lifelong learning and producing unique talents for the labour markets, not just for the present but also for the future.

Melisa Duce Mahoro, Vedaste Habamenshi, Leodinas Kazana and Kalule Moses were also awarded by different partners.

Each got a Rwf500,000 cash prize.

Diane Uwase Eugenie, the best performer with Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Gatete Kayombya Ghislain, the best performer with a bachelor’s degree in economics also got the laptop.

Victoria Tuyishime, the best graduate with a degree in information and technology, Januario Bizimana and Liliane Umwali are among the graduates awarded by other partners.

The University of Kigali awarded a laptop to Sharon Mbabazi, the pest performer with a bachelor’s degree in public administration and good governance.

UoK also gave a laptop to Didier Havugimana with a bachelor’s degree in law.