The Vice Chancellor of the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi, Father. Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana, has described the newly inaugurated building at the Sainte Elizabeth Campus in Kabgayi as more than a modern facility, saying it represents the university’s vision of expanding quality education and preparing graduates who will contribute to Rwanda’s development.
The building was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, after being blessed by Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa, Bishop of the Diocese of Kabgayi and Chancellor of ICK. The ceremony brought together Bishop Emeritus Smaragde Mbonyintege, representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Higher Education Council, the National Council of Nurses and Midwives, Muhanga District, and several ICK partners.
The building was blessed by Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa, Bishop of the Diocese of Kabgayi and Chancellor of ICK
Speaking at the event, Fr. Prof. Dushimimana said the importance of the new facility lies not in its cost but in its mission.
“This building is not simply made of bricks, concrete, and steel. It reflects our vision of educating professionals who will contribute to quality education, better health, and the overall development of our country,” he said.
He explained that the facility was built to respond to the growing number of students enrolled in the Advanced Diploma programs in Nursing and Midwifery.
The Ste Elizabeth Campus currently has 492 students, including 222 studying Nursing and 270 studying Midwifery. Of these, 262 students are expected to graduate in December, including 71 nurses and 191 midwives.
According to Fr. Prof. Dushimimana, these graduates will help address the country’s growing demand for qualified health professionals.
The new building, whose construction began in January 2025, was completed after one year and five months at a total cost of Rwf 1,270,983,596, including equipment.
It contains classrooms, lecturers’ offices, a conference room, and three computer laboratories equipped with 120 new computers. Each classroom is fitted with modern furniture and digital teaching equipment.
Before the project, the Kabgayi Campus could accommodate only 150 students, forcing some to attend classes at the ICK City Campus in Muhanga. The new facility alone can accommodate 850 students, increasing the total capacity of the campus to 1,000 students.
Fr. Prof. Dushimimana said the expansion is also part of ICK’s plan to introduce Bachelor degree programs in Nursing and Midwifery. He revealed that the university has already submitted its application to the Higher Education Council and is ready to begin the programs once approval is granted.
Father. Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana, The Vice Chancellor of ICK
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the rich history of the Ste Elizabeth Campus, which was founded by the Diocese of Kabgayi in 1949 as the first nursing and midwifery school in Rwanda.
Following education reforms in 2007, the campus became part of the University of Rwanda under the name Kabgayi School of Nursing and Midwifery. Teaching activities were suspended in 2017 after another round of reforms, and students were transferred to other campuses.
Between 1949 and 2007, the institution trained 599 secondary level nurses and midwives. From 2007 to 2017, it graduated another 677 students with Advanced Diplomas.
In 2022, the Diocese of Kabgayi began working with the Ministries of Education and Health to reclaim the campus. It was officially transferred to ICK in February 2023, and later that year the university received approval to establish its Faculty of Health Sciences.
The first group of students began classes in January 2024. Within two years, the campus has enrolled 492 students and is preparing to graduate its first class, marking a major step in restoring its historic role in training Rwanda’s future health professionals.
