The Inspiration Behind the Founding of EAMU

Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa: A Journey through Suffering, Learning, Resilience, Service, and Leadership

My life’s journey has been shaped by both immense suffering and profound acts of kindness. Born into a Rwanda marked by ethnic violence, I lost my father to that violence when I was only one year old. As refugees, my mother and I, along with my siblings, navigated the harsh realities of life in camps across Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. In those camps, I witnessed the cruelty that humans can inflict upon one another—hunger, disease, violence, and displacement were our constant companions. Yet, alongside this suffering, I also encountered the immense goodness and generosity of human beings.

My outlook on life has been profoundly shaped by these dualities—the evil perpetrated by humankind and the extraordinary compassion that so often counteracts it. Our survival, and ultimately my success, was made possible by the kindness and support of others. The hospitality of the countries that accepted us as refugees provided shelter when we had nowhere to turn. In Uganda, I experienced the transformative power of education, even when my first school was under a tree, and my first writing tools were thorns on bare skin. It was the Christian Church that paid for my secondary education, the Government of Uganda that covered my medical education, and many Good Samaritans—some known, others unknown—who stepped in to support me whenever I was in need.

With their help, I earned a medical degree at Makerere University and later studied diplomacy at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, which graciously covered my graduate studies. These acts of generosity and faith in my potential filled my life with hope and possibility, even in the darkest of times. It is this life-affirming, hope-enhancing aspect of human existence that inspires me today and drives my lifelong passion for learning, teaching, and healing.

Throughout my career, I have served as a doctor, a diplomat, a teacher, and an advocate for human rights, always with a focus on communities affected by violence, trauma, and marginalization. As Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States and later Chief of Staff to the President, I worked to rebuild a nation devastated by the 1994 genocide. But the toll of the conflict and the immense loss of life in the Great Lakes region left me grappling with spiritual and existential questions. During my years in exile, I turned to faith, rediscovering God’s grace, which now guides my efforts to promote truth, justice, and reconciliation.

In my search for answers to life’s most profound questions—about the meaning of life, human suffering, and how we can govern ourselves for the common good—I have traveled far and wide, from refugee camps to the halls of power. I have witnessed both the best and the worst of humanity. Despite the atrocities I have seen, I remain deeply inspired by the resilience, compassion, and generosity that people can show to one another. This is what fuels my belief in our collective potential to heal, to transform, and to grow.

It is this belief in the power of education and healing that has led me to my current mission: the founding of the Eastern Africa Meta-University (EAMU). EAMU is a manifestation of my passion for lifelong learning and teaching, and it is grounded in my conviction that education is the most powerful tool we have to foster individual and societal transformation. I envision EAMU as more than just a traditional academic institution—it is a place where individuals can heal, grow, and develop the skills necessary to lead in their communities and in the world. It is a space that nurtures intellectual growth, leadership, and innovation, empowering people to address the complex challenges of our time, including health crises, environmental sustainability, and social inequities.

EAMU is also a continuation of the kindness and support I have received throughout my life. I seek to pay forward the generosity that was shown to me by creating opportunities for others, especially those from marginalized communities to access education and thrive. By focusing on the whole person—intellect, spirit, and well-being—EAMU will equip future leaders with the tools they need not only to succeed academically but also to heal from trauma and build resilient, inclusive communities.

In my continuing journey, I remain deeply committed to nurturing resilience, compassion, and equity in every person I encounter. I believe that through education, we can cultivate the wisdom and empathy needed to heal both ourselves and the world. The goodness I have encountered along my life’s path—whether through the hospitality of nations, the compassion of the Christian Church, or the unwavering support of Good Samaritans—reinforces my belief in the essential goodness of humankind. It is this goodness, this hope for a brighter future, that motivates me every day to continue learning, teaching, and healing.

As we face profound challenges in our world—spiritual crises, environmental degradation, and deep social inequalities—I believe that each of us has a role to play. We must work together, drawing on the best of our shared humanity, to build a future of peace, health, and prosperity for all. Through EAMU, I hope to inspire others to embrace learning as a tool for personal and collective transformation, and to foster a world where every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to flourish and contribute to the common good.