Ugandan lawmakers are urging bold steps to support students in Burundi and revive strained trade ties with Rwanda, aiming to strengthen regional education and economic collaboration.
Easing the Burden on Burundi’s Students
A parliamentary report reveals a pressing challenge: hundreds of students in Burundi studying Uganda’s curriculum must travel to Uganda for final exams, facing hefty costs and emotional stress.
To solve this, MPs want a UNEB examination hub established in Burundi—a first-of-its-kind move for Uganda’s education system abroad.
“Formalizing a UNEB center will cut costs and encourage more Burundian schools to adopt our curriculum,” said Hon. Gabriel Okumu, who presented the proposal.
The plan hinges on Burundian schools meeting Ugandan standards, including hiring qualified headteachers and six certified instructors per institution.
Related: Understanding UNEB’s New UCE Grading System
Dual Priorities of Trade and Diplomacy
The same report highlights opportunities to boost Uganda’s trade with Burundi, such as:
- Funding exports: Increase budgets for Uganda’s embassy to promote goods like coffee and textiles.
- Tourism partnerships: Collaborate with Burundian travel agencies to market Uganda’s national parks.
- Industrial deals: Negotiate bilateral agreements for joint manufacturing projects.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s shift away from Ugandan imports—sparked by a 2019–2022 border closure—has left trade languishing.
Before the shutdown, Rwanda was Uganda’s 5th-largest export market, buying goods worth Shs124.4 billion annually. Today, Rwanda relies more on local industries and new trade partners.
“Urgent diplomatic engagement is needed to rebuild trust,” Okumu stressed, referencing stalled agreements from the 2023 Joint Permanent Commission.
A Roadmap for Progress
For the UNEB center to launch, Uganda’s Education Minister must issue a legal instrument, while Burundi must align its schools with Ugandan teaching standards.
On trade, MPs want high-level talks to reopen channels with Rwanda and stabilize regional relations.
