{"id":112922,"date":"2025-10-13T13:37:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/ugandan-schoolchildren-praise-rwandas-cleanliness"},"modified":"2025-10-13T13:58:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:58:13","slug":"ugandan-schoolchildren-praise-rwandas-cleanliness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/ugandan-schoolchildren-praise-rwandas-cleanliness","title":{"rendered":"Ugandan Schoolchildren Praise Rwanda’s Cleanliness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>A delegation of schoolchildren from Precious Moments Schools in Nabbingo, Kampala, Uganda, has concluded a two-day educational and cultural exchange in Rwanda, leaving with deep admiration for the country\u2019s cleanliness, discipline, and rapid development.<\/p>\n

The 45 pupils, who were accompanied by nine staff members, toured several places, including Kigali Convention Centre, BK Arena, the Nyandungu Eco-Park, Amahoro Stadium, Kigali Genocide Memorial and some schools. The trip, hosted by Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI), aimed to expose learners to Rwanda\u2019s cultural, environmental, and educational assets.<\/p>\n

Of all the delegations that came to learn about the country’s history, culture and development journey, the primary schoolchildren made up the youngest group the RCI has ever hosted.<\/p>\n

It was the children’s first visit to Rwanda, and their impressions were striking. They concluded the tour with a visit to the Nyandungu Eco-Park, which not only promotes environmental protection, but also champions conservation of indigenous animal and tree species, such as medical plants.<\/p>\n

\u201cRwanda is very clean; it has impressed me. You can even sit down anywhere,\u201d said 12-year-old Jasmine Namuyiga, who was particularly fascinated by the modern infrastructure and the serene environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI liked the buildings such as Amahoro Stadium, which has good nature and a big arena.\u201d<\/p>\n

Accompanied by their teachers the schoolchildren from Precious Moments Schools in Nabbingo, Kampala, Uganda, concluded a two-day educational and cultural exchange in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

Another pupil, Owen Mutebi, said he learned how Rwanda promotes natural medicine and environmental protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen how medicines can be made from nature, so we don\u2019t have to waste money buying them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For Roshan Tendon, 11, the experience was both educational and exciting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Nyandungu Eco -Park we saw beautiful peacocks. And at the Kigali Convention Centre, we saw lights in the colours of the Rwandan flag, it was so beautiful,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Nyandungu Eco-Tourism Park in Kigali is a peaceful green space where nature and recreation come together. Covering 120 hectares, 70 of wetland and 50 of forest, it shelters over 60 native plant species. The park has also brought life back to the area, with nearly 200 bird species returning after years of wetland damage.<\/p>\n

The visit was not just about sightseeing. Pupils also interacted with Rwandan students, exchanging dances and ideas about culture and discipline.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe taught them how to dance Maganda, and they showed us their traditional dances,\u201d Nobert Kyabadde said, another Primary Five pupil.<\/p>\n

Learning beyond the classroom<\/b><\/p>\n

According to Lubega Charles Luanga, Director of Precious Moments Schools, the trip was designed to offer the learners real-life lessons that go beyond classroom teaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe children have seen Rwanda\u2019s cleanliness, discipline, and development speed,\u201d Luanga said. \u201cThey\u2019ve realized the difference between where they come from and what they\u2019ve seen here. Many are already changing their behaviour, reminding each other not to litter. That\u2019s a message we are taking home.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the visit also sparked their interest in leadership and courage among learners.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn every school we visited, we saw emphasis on culture. A country that values culture develops fast, and that\u2019s something we want to instill in our children,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Luanga also emphasized that the trip could mark the beginning of exchange programmes between Ugandan and Rwandan schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we cooperate in education, both countries can build something even better for our children,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Will Mugenzi, the Chief Operations Officer at RCI, described the visit as \u201cspecial and historic.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the tour in Rwanda, the delegation visited different places in Kigali to learn more about Rwanda.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve received delegations from universities in Europe, the UK, and Kenya, but this one is very special. These are the youngest learners we\u2019ve ever hosted, and it means a lot,\u201d said Mugenzi.<\/p>\n

He explained that Rwanda Cooperation regularly hosts study visits from different countries interested in learning about Rwanda\u2019s transformation journey, particularly in areas like early childhood development, good governance, and institutional building.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt shows the dividends of Rwanda\u2019s Vision 2050, whose first pillar is human capital development. Seeing children this young come to learn from Rwanda reflects how much the country has invested in education and policy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mugenzi added that Rwanda\u2019s story is best told by those who experience it firsthand, even young visitors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese children are going home with memories of a clean, corruption-free country. They will share those lessons with their families and schools. That\u2019s how change begins, from the young generation upward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The schoolchildren from Precious Moments Schools in Nabbingo, Kampala, Uganda, concluded a two-day educational and cultural exchange in Rwanda<\/p>\n

Rwanda Cooperation hailed the visit as a success, saying such exchanges help build bridges between African schools and inspire a culture of learning and discipline across borders.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want change in five years, plant trees. But if you want change for a lifetime, educate children,\u201d Mugenzi added.<\/p>\n

As the visit ended, the pupils expressed gratitude to their parents, teachers, and hosts. Others vowed to take home Rwanda\u2019s lessons of integrity, peace, and environmental care.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to tell my friends to be polite, kind, to stop corruption and to keep our country clean like Rwanda,\u201d said Norbert.<\/p>\n

Children from Uganda during a guided tour of Nyandungu Wetland Eco-Tourism park in Kigali.<\/p>\n\r\n