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’s cleanliness, discipline, and rapid development. ALSO READ: Kigali’s smart street-cleaning revolution driven by innovation and dignity 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’s cultural, environmental, and educational assets. 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. ALSO READ: How Rwanda’s exported digital solutions promote South-South cooperation 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. “Rwanda is very clean; it has impressed me. You can even sit down anywhere,” said 12-year-old Jasmine Namuyiga, who was particularly fascinated by the modern infrastructure and the serene environment. “I liked the buildings such as Amahoro Stadium, which has good nature and a big arena.” Another pupil, Owen Mutebi, said he learned how Rwanda promotes natural medicine and environmental protection. “I’ve seen how medicines can be made from nature, so we don’t have to waste money buying them,” he said. For Roshan Tendon, 11, the experience was both educational and exciting. “At 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,” she said. ALSO READ: How Rwanda is faring in wetlands restoration 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. The visit was not just about sightseeing. Pupils also interacted with Rwandan students, exchanging dances and ideas about culture and discipline. “We taught them how to dance Maganda, and they showed us their traditional dances,” Nobert Kyabadde said, another Primary Five pupil. Learning beyond the classroom 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. “The children have seen Rwanda’s cleanliness, discipline, and development speed,” Luanga said. “They’ve realized the difference between where they come from and what they’ve seen here. Many are already changing their behaviour, reminding each other not to litter. That’s a message we are taking home.” He added that the visit also sparked their interest in leadership and courage among learners. “In every school we visited, we saw emphasis on culture. A country that values culture develops fast, and that’s something we want to instill in our children,” he said. Luanga also emphasized that the trip could mark the beginning of exchange programmes between Ugandan and Rwandan schools. “If we cooperate in education, both countries can build something even better for our children,” he noted. Will Mugenzi, the Chief Operations Officer at RCI, described the visit as “special and historic.” “We’ve received delegations from universities in Europe, the UK, and Kenya, but this one is very special. These are the youngest learners we’ve ever hosted, and it means a lot,” said Mugenzi. ALSO READ: Harvard students share lessons from Rwanda’s development journey He explained that Rwanda Cooperation regularly hosts study visits from different countries interested in learning about Rwanda’s transformation journey, particularly in areas like early childhood development, good governance, and institutional building. “It shows the dividends of Rwanda’s 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,” he said. Mugenzi added that Rwanda’s story is best told by those who experience it firsthand, even young visitors. “These children are going home with memories of a clean, corruption-free country. They will share those lessons with their families and schools. That’s how change begins, from the young generation upward,” he said. 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. “If you want change in five years, plant trees. But if you want change for a lifetime, educate children,” Mugenzi added. As the visit ended, the pupils expressed gratitude to their parents, teachers, and hosts. Others vowed to take home Rwanda’s lessons of integrity, peace, and environmental care. “I would like to tell my friends to be polite, kind, to stop corruption and to keep our country clean like Rwanda,” said Norbert.
