East African graduates commend the Centre for enhancing health supply chain management skills.
Graduates from across the East African Community (EAC) have praised the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, located at the University of Rwanda (UR). They highlighted how the Centre has equipped them with essential skills to strengthen health supply chain systems, ensuring commodities security in their respective countries.
The health supply chain experts, part of the fifth cohort of the Master’s in Health Supply Chain Management (MHSCM) programme, expressed their gratitude during UR’s 11th graduation ceremony held on Friday, October 18, 2025, at Huye Campus. A total of 38 candidates from various EAC Partner States received their master’s degrees, marking significant progress in both their professional journeys and the Centre’s mission to enhance human capital development in health supply chain management across the region.
During the graduation ceremony, graduates emphasized that the programme has not only professionalized health supply chain management but has also fostered a robust network of experts dedicated to improving access to vaccines and essential medicines throughout the region.
Pauline Otambo, a pharmacist from Kenya, described her graduation as a major milestone. She expressed her gratitude to the German government and the East African Community Secretariat for their support of the programme, which has brought together graduates from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. “I’m very thankful to the Government of Rwanda for providing such a supportive environment that allowed us to learn and grow,” she stated.
Otambo noted that the Centre helped her recognize health supply chain management as a distinct profession. “It has helped me a lot. As a pharmacist working in the health supply chain, I realized that although we were doing the work, it was not as structured or professionalized as it should be. This course has taught us how to manage the health supply chain in an organized and timely manner,” she added.
From Tanzania, Sinda Makenge, another master’s graduate, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Centre has filled a critical gap in professional training. He joined the Centre to enhance his managerial capacity to better manage the health supply chain in Tanzania. “I needed more technical expertise. In my country, this kind of course isn’t available. Fortunately, Rwanda offers it with scholarship opportunities,” he said.
Makenge emphasized that the Centre has strengthened their ability to deliver better health outcomes for patients. He intends to apply his new knowledge to improve the efficiency of supply chain systems in Tanzania, noting that East African countries face similar challenges.
Filda Agiro from Uganda shared her perspective, highlighting that the Centre of Excellence has become a vital platform for improving health supply chain management. “The Centre gives East African students an opportunity to gain knowledge in an area that is increasingly vital for our region,” she remarked.
Agiro, who works in key government institutions, stated that the knowledge gained will help improve medicine quantification, optimize distribution, and enhance overall supply chain performance efficiency.
Olivier Icyishatse, a Rwandan graduate, discussed the challenges faced in the health supply chain, including stock-outs and overstocking of medical supplies. He attributed these issues to gaps in knowledge and emphasized the importance of proper planning and ordering to manage these challenges effectively.
The programme, implemented under the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, aims to build a skilled workforce capable of managing health commodities efficiently and sustainably. As the new graduates return home, they carry a shared commitment to strengthening the region’s healthcare through innovation, efficiency, and collaboration.
UR’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Didas Kayihura Muganga, encouraged graduates to value teamwork and diversity, stating that “the brightest ideas often emerge from collaboration.” He urged them to remain optimistic and resilient, viewing challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, who attended the graduation ceremony, called on researchers and innovators to align their work with the country’s priorities, emphasizing that “research must be purposeful. Innovation must be practical.”
The Director of the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence, John Patrick Mwesigye, noted the Centre’s commitment to academic excellence and strategic partnerships, which empower students to excel and contribute meaningfully to healthcare in the region.
The East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence offers a two-year modular course designed to build both technical expertise and managerial competencies among health supply chain professionals. The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach, allowing students to continue working in their home countries while studying.
Since its inception in 2017, the Centre has graduated 173 professionals, contributing to a growing pool of highly skilled individuals in health supply chain management across the East African region.
Key Points
- Graduates praised the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for enhancing health supply chain skills.
- The fifth cohort of the MHSCM programme graduated 38 candidates from various EAC Partner States.
- The Centre fosters a network of experts committed to improving access to vaccines and essential medicines.
- Graduates emphasized the importance of structured health supply chain management.
- The programme aims to build a skilled workforce for efficient health commodity management.
Sources: Graduates praise Rwanda-based EAC vaccines, health supply chain centre of excellence
