Kabale University holds a lot of potential

Like environmental disasters, education knows no borders. Education is limitless - not even the sky can stop it. Kabale University in Kabale town is strategically located at junctions to Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC. Kabale seems a likely special place, in particular not only because of its vantage location but the community shares values and commitment to internationalisation.
Within a radius of 200km from Kabale Town, there are about 20 million people. The region includes the former Kigezi and most of former Ankole District; Rwanda, and parts of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The region’s inhabitants share the same genealogy, similar cultures and languages. Historically, the Bakiga migrated from Rwanda, approximately 400 years ago. Most Bakiga born before independence do not recall their grandparents who were fluent Rukiga speakers. Names such as Nyakahunde, Munanira, Nyagasaza, Byarananiye, Nyagasaza, Mukeinanika, Karemera, Ruteisire, Ngyeragyeze and Bicwamacumu still exist in Kabale.
The region is richly endowed with volcanic mountains, fertile soils, peculiar and spectacular landscapes and biological diversity spanning the Albertine Rift Valley, presenting ideal cross-border conservation of hundreds of endemic species such as the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. The people are highly successful and industrious.
Despite various endowments by geography, biological success, history and culture, the region is highly vulnerable to environmental changes and disasters such as landslides, land degradation, wetland reclamation, forest clearance and climate change, largely linked to a high population density. Nevertheless, Kabale has potential to become the region’s education and tourism hub.
Mobilising knowledge to address environmental challenges demands concerted, synchronised programmes that address cross border issues. In order to address the region’s most pressing problems, Kabale University programmes should be tailored to address issues beyond borders of traditional disciplines.
In addition to programmes, emphasis should be on networking, regional and international relationships, and able to extend matrices of collaboration with other universities such as National University of Rwanda (NUR), Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and University of Goma.
There is so much intellectual vitality across and within these institutions and countries. The challenge is to think about, plan, and implement the terrific intellectual vitality across the borders to fuel Kabale University’s future.
For ease of coordination, the University should explore the possibility of establishing campuses in Katuna and Kisoro border towns. This should be done bearing in mind that different kinds of expertise, cultural backgrounds and systems wind up shaping what is regional and international, and what is not.
Idealistic as I may be, I understand that we live in a society where privately funded institutions, like Kabale University, depend upon the expansion of capital to maintain viability to be able to provide and meet internationally recognised education standards.
To this end, the region has an incredible array of people who are on the cutting-edge in all fields. This means that intellectual and economic challenges will be met with utmost resilience. This is further manifested in the ability of groups such as the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) and schools’ alumni to organise themselves, regionally and internationally, especially toward contributions to regional development.
Finally, Kabale University should consider honouring great men and women to attract regional and international tourism.
These include Paulo Ngorogoza (RIP) who served as Secretary General (an equivalent of LCV Chairman today) of Kigezi and the first Papal Knight in the region; Canon John Bikangaga (RIP) who was a ceremonial head of Bakiga, also referred to as Rutakirwa (paramount chief).
Honours can take the form of honourary degrees, and naming lecture theatres and halls of residence after the fallen great sons and daughters.

The writer is Secretary, Ecological Society for Eastern Africa (ESEA)
hbakamwesiga@yahoo.com