The journey of a teacher who transformed the direction of education in Rwanda: Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda, founder of ULK

It is a journey that began with faith, emerged from nothing, and grew into one of Rwanda’s leading private universities.

Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda was born in Masisi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1948, in what was then known as Zaire. His passion for education began early, as he started teaching at various universities in the DRC from 1974. He says that from a young age, he dreamed of doing something that would help people become self-reliant, aspiring to become a teacher in order to help others acquire lasting value.
“I wanted to do something that would help people help themselves, to gain a form of wealth that is not cattle, not land, nor any other wealth that fades away,” he says.

In 1994, Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda was appointed to a permanent teaching position at the National University of Rwanda in Butare, through a letter dated 09 December 1994. Although he had reached the level of teaching at the country’s public university, his vision went far beyond personal career achievement.

On 15 March 1996, Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda founded the Kigali Independent University (ULK). He says ULK was not conceived as a business venture, but as a project inspired by God.

“ULK is a project of God. I chose to invest my capacity in education rather than in anything else. I pray to the living God who hears and answers prayers. When a person has faith rooted in God, God gives them direction and the strength to do many things for His glory, not for personal enrichment, but to serve God and people,” he explains.

He notes that he never aspired to go into business, although he supports it, emphasizing that every decision a person makes depends on the vision they give to their life.

“Work comes fourth. First is thinking, second is planning, and third is organization. That is why I chose to establish ULK based on faith, without money, walking on foot, yet within me I felt it would become a very big institution,” he adds.

The early days of ULK were far from easy. Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda recalls renting two classrooms at Saint Paul, near Saint Famille, while setting up his office in a corridor. At the time, he was a volunteer, earning no salary, trusting that the small fees paid by a few students would cover rent and teachers’ salaries.

“I started believing that the little the students paid would help us pay rent and teachers. I earned no salary myself. But I was convinced that this initiative would grow into a giant university,” he recalls.

In its first year alone, ULK enrolled 204 students. Over the years, student numbers continued to grow, and ULK became a center of knowledge, making a tangible contribution to national development.

Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda says he does not like the term “capital”, because in his view, a true entrepreneur starts from zero.

“I don’t like the word capital. If you start with capital, you fail. A real entrepreneur is one who starts from zero. Even in the courses we teach here, there is a strong component of entrepreneurship,” he emphasizes.

His humanity was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ULK chose not to abandon its staff. At a time when many institutions were shutting down, ULK had nearly 300 employees, and Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda made a bold decision to care for them.

“I said that no employee would starve. Those earning above one million francs had their salaries reduced by half, but those earning below 500,000 francs continued to receive their full pay. When the money ran out, I went to seek a bank loan, even though we did not know when COVID would end,” he says.

He adds, “I could not eat potatoes, sweet potatoes, or drink milk knowing that my employee had nothing. I am their parent. What I have, I share with others.”

Beyond education, ULK plays a significant role in social welfare through the ULK Foundation, established by Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda. Through this foundation, more than 2,000 underprivileged students have had their education financed, both in Rwanda and abroad.

Economically, ULK contributes at least 150 million Rwandan francs in taxes every month. Today, ULK has over 10,000 students, more than 4,000 of whom are international students, highlighting its role in international education and national development.

The story of Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda is a powerful lesson in how faith, vision, and perseverance can build a strong institution that benefits both the nation and its people. It is the story of a leader who believes that sustainable development is built on people, not on wealth that fades away.

 Seated in his office, Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda reflects on nearly three decades of building the Kigali Independent University (ULK) from vision and faith

Kigali Independent University (ULK), founded in 1996, now hosts more than 10,000 students from Rwanda and across the world.

Awards and trophies earned by ULK, symbolizing years of contribution to higher education, leadership, and national development