On Sunday, January 25, 2026, the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) celebrated a decade of providing quality education in Rwanda by awarding degrees to 78 graduates, including 30 medical doctors who began their studies in 2019.
The ceremony took place at UGHE’s Butaro campus in the Burera District and was attended by several distinguished guests, including Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and Madame Jeannette Kagame [First Lady of Rwanda]
UGHE expressed its gratitude to Madame Kagame by awarding her the Honorary Doctorate (PhD) in recognition of her exceptional service and dedication to improving healthcare, education, and overall well-being for communities locally and globally.
Madame Kagame expressed her delight at receiving the honor, describing the recognition as a gift for which words cannot fully convey her gratitude.
She noted that in the past, solutions in healthcare were often expected to come from outside Rwanda. However, with the graduates of UGHE now ready to serve, the country can rely on its own trained professionals.
She said: “I am deeply honored to receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. I accept this honor with keen awareness of the responsibility with which it comes; reflecting on the shared commitment that brings us together today: the belief that health is a fundamental human right, and that equity must remain at the center of how we educate, how we serve, and how we lead.”
Prime Minister Dr. Nsengiyumva addressed the graduates, emphasizing that they are expected to serve not only as medical professionals but also as leaders capable of improving healthcare delivery and contributing to strategic decision-making in the health sector.
He said: "You are expected to excel not only as doctors but also as leaders of institutions, contributing to improved service delivery and supporting decision-making in the health system."
UGHE expressed its gratitude to Madame Kagame by awarding her the Honorary Doctorate (PhD) in recognition of her exceptional service and dedication to improving healthcare, education, and overall well-being for communities locally and globally.