Universal Beauty Academy (UBA), the first of its kind in the country,was launched on Wednesday in Gasabo District, established by a local businesswoman. Alphonsine Niyigena, who owns a string of beauty salons in Kigali City, says the academy is an investment worth Rwf120 million. In an interview with The New Times shortly after the opening, Niyigena said the goal of the academy is to enable Rwandans especially the youth to acquire relevant skills in hair dressing, adding that the studies at the school will commence next month. "The cosmetic industry requires skilled employees because they deal directly with people’s lives. This is what mainly motivated me to invest in this facility which will also help our youth get employability skills,” Niyigena said.