Staff

Jean Uwamahoro (PhD)
Director – ACEITLMS
Academic Rank: Professor

Prof. Jean Uwamahoro (PhD) obtained a BSc degree in Physics and Chemistry with Education in 2004 from the former Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), now the University of Rwanda – College of Education (UR-CE). He later earned a BSc (Hons) degree in Astrophysics and Space Science from the University of Cape Town in 2006, followed by an MSc (2009) and a PhD (2012) in Space Physics from Rhodes University, South Africa. He has been an academic staff member and researcher at the University of Rwanda since 2005 and currently holds the rank of Professor of Physics and Science Education. In addition to his academic responsibilities, Prof. Uwamahoro serves as the Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS), hosted by UR-CE.

Prof. Uwamahoro’s current academic duties include teaching undergraduate and Master’s level physics courses, conducting research, and supervising postgraduate students at both Master’s and PhD levels. He regularly leads and manages various funded research projects as Principal Investigator. He has also served and continues to serve as a member of University of Rwanda and international committees responsible for organizing conferences and training workshops.

He has played a key role in initiating and establishing research collaborations and networks under signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the University of Rwanda and local, regional, and international public and private institutions. Currently, he serves as the University of Rwanda Coordinator for the Erasmus+ KA171 (2023–2026), an International
Credit Mobility programme implemented jointly by the University of Rwanda and the University of La Réunion, France.
Prof. Uwamahoro is actively engaged in research in Space Physics and STEM education. In recent years, his research has focused on modelling and predicting solar–terrestrial interaction phenomena, commonly known as space weather. He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed research publications in the fields of space weather and STEM education research. His publications can be accessed @: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1730-6685; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jean-Uwamahoro

Prof. Uwamahoro is a member of various regional and international scientific bodies. He is a member of the Rwanda Academy of Science (RAS), a member of the Editorial Board of the Rwanda Journal of Education (RJE), Vice-Chair of the UR-CE Research Committee, a member of the Regional Research and Development Working Group (RRDWG) of the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), a member of the African Geophysical Society (AGS), National Representative to the Scientific Committee on Solar–Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP), and Country Coordinator of the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI).

Assoc. Prof. Mugabo Rugema Leon (PhD) is an experienced science teacher and science teacher educator. He holds a PhD in the field of Science Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (PGCTHE). Today, he is an Associate Professor of Science Education in the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, School of Education at University of Rwanda- College of Education.

He is also “Head of Teaching and Learning” in the African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS). In addition, Assoc. Prof. Mugabo has attended several training and workshops and has acquired relevant experience in Curriculum Development and Training of Trainers as well as Postgraduate Supervision. He led the core team of development of Masters’ programmes in Science and Mathematics Education. Beside the expertise in Science Education, his area of Research is Science Teaching & Learning and Science Teachers’ Professional Development where he has published several papers in reputed journals.

Research Area: Freshwater Ecology & Biology Education

Dr. Marcellin Rutegwa holds a PhD in Fisheries and Protection of Waters awarded by the University of South Bohemia (USB), Czech Republic. He also holds a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences (specialization in Limnology and Wetland Management) awarded by the former UNESCO-IHE, the Netherlands, in conjunction with the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He earned a Bachelor of Science with Education (specialization in Biology–Geography–Education) from the former Kigali Institute of Education, which later became the University of Rwanda – College of Education (UR-CE).

Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer of Biology at the University of Rwanda – College of Education (UR-CE) in the Department of Science Education (MSE). He also serves as the Head of Research at the African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS), based at UR-CE. His research interests include organic matter dynamics in freshwater aquatic ecosystems (streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands), sustainable aquaculture, and the quality of teaching and learning biology. Currently he is working on projects with researchers from Rwanda (UR, CUR), Africa (Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya) and Europe (Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden).

His PhD research was supervised by Dr. Bořek Drozd (PhD) from the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters (FFPW), University of South Bohemia, and Assoc. Prof. Josef Hejzlar from the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS). He also conducted research stay in the lab of Prof. Gabriel A. Singer at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany, and the lab of Prof. David Bastviken at Linköping University, Sweden.

Email: m.rutegwa@ur.ac.rw
Telephone: +250 788 356 696
College: College of Education (CE)
Centre: African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS)

IT professional currently serving as a Webmaster and IT Officer at UR College of Education, ACEITLMS. In this role, I manage and maintain web platforms, support digital learning systems, and ensure the reliability and performance of IT services.

With a strong background in software development, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT), I bring hands-on experience in web and mobile application development, as well as machine learning. I thrive in diverse, team-driven environments and am passionate about using technology to deliver innovative and impactful solutions. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in IoT and Embedded Computing Systems, further strengthening my expertise in emerging technologies.

Name: William Kizza
Position: Centre Support Officer
E-Mail: kizzawilliam2013@gmail.com
Telephone: +250780839778