Most of the people who gathered at the UGHE Butaro campus that morning was not visiting for the first time, at least not in the way one might think. Years ago, many of them lived on this very land. Some had farmed here; others passed through regularly when the cell office stood nearby, making the area a centre of daily life in Mubuga. 

Before COVID-19, the campus had been more open to the community. However, like many places, it became quieter afterwards, with neighboring community members visiting the campus only for occasional engagements, which were not sufficient to build strong relationship. But on April 2, 2026, something special happened; the gates opened again, not just physically, but emotionally. It was a return. It was a day full of smiles, memories, and quiet reflection. 

As community members walked through the campus during the “Tumenye Kaminuza”, Campus Open Day, many paused, not because they were lost, but because they were remembering. Some wandered toward areas where they once farmed. Others stood in silence, recognizing spaces where their homes or familiar paths used to be. But instead of loss, there was pride. 

Where there was once farmland, now stood a centre of excellence in global health education. And for many, that transformation felt personal. 

The event, which brought together over 100 community members, local leaders, youth, and community health workers, was designed to strengthen the connection between UGHE and the neighbouring community. But as the day unfolded, it became clear that this connection had never truly been broken, it had simply evolved.   

The program began with presentations introducing UGHE’s mission and its commitment to advancing equitable health systems. As speakers shared the story of the university, its founding by Partners In Health and the legacy of Dr. Paul Farmer, participants listened not just as guests, but as people who had, in their own way, contributed to its foundation. 

“This initiative is about building trust and ensuring the community sees UGHE as a partner in development.”, Collins Inkotanyi, Director of Campus Operations, UGHE.

But the most powerful moments were not just in the presentations; they were in conversations. During the open dialogue session, voices from the community filled the space. Questions were asked, ideas were shared, and stories were exchanged.  

These were not just statements; they were shifts in perspective. 

For the youth in attendance, the experience was especially meaningful. Seeing students who came from similar backgrounds, hearing their journeys, and walking through lecture halls and facilities made something feel possible. UGHE was no longer distant, it was within reach. 

As the guided campus tour began, led by staff, the experience became even more tangible. Participants moved through classrooms, facilities, and open spaces, connecting what they had heard with what they could now see and feel.  

At the end of the day, something had changed. What was once seen as a university “on the hill” was now understood as part of the community itself.   

Aline Mukategeri, a representative from Butaro sector, expressed it clearly: “We thank UGHE so much. Since it came, it has changed the lives of the communities around.”

The event was called Tumenye Kaminuza, “Know the University.” But what it truly achieved was something deeper: it reminded everyone that the university also knows, values, and belongs to the community. Because in the end, UGHE is not just built on land, it is built on people. And that is why the campus belongs to the community.