Journalism students from Makerere University in Uganda visited Rwanda to witness good governance activities that Rwanda has made since 1994.The students who were accompanied by the famous journalist Andrew Mwenda, of Independent magazine from Uganda.
The students exchanged ideas with senior army officials and fellow students of journalism from National University of Rwanda in a conference held at ministry of defense.
The students were overwhelmed by Rwanda’s development which they had a negative perspective since the 1994 genocide. The students who were in shock couldn’t believe how Rwanda and Rwandese people can be friendly after few years from genocide tragedy.
“I was shocked to see nice buildings around Kigali with beautiful view and cleanliness of the city, left me speechless. I knew Rwanda because of the genocide that happened in 1994 and I also heard that people don’t have freedom but personally I have seen it, Rwanda is a place to be” Benon Akadwanaho, a student from Makerere University said.
One of the students raised a question to the army officers that it is said that even when a child sneezes the army can know that information. How does Rwanda manage to get all that information from people?
General,Jean Bosco Kazura replied by saying that, “The only reason we manage to get the information is because Rwandese use one language which makes it easier to know whatever everyone is meaning rather than Uganda where there’s over fifty languages which are different”
The journey of the journalism students in Rwanda implies the relationship between Uganda and Rwanda towards the integration of EAC. Students vowed to spread the true image of Rwanda by explaining to their fellow Ugandans who still have negative perspective about Rwanda.
