The Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) has encouraged law students across Rwanda to move beyond classroom learning and start identifying and addressing real-life challenges within society. The call was made during an engagement session between ILPD officials and Mount Kigali University (MKU) law students on 28 November 2025.

Speaking during the session, ILPD Rector Dr. Aimé Muyoboke Karimunda highlighted a persistent gap between legal knowledge acquired in universities and its practical application in society. He noted that ILPD often receives graduates who understand the law in theory but lack the skills to apply it effectively in real situations.

“To become a competent legal practitioner, one must know the law, understand the challenges faced by citizens, and be able to connect and analyze both. Without this, you might end up imprisoning someone who should have been released or releasing someone who should have been detained. It requires great diligence,” he said.

Dr. Muyoboke urged students to follow ongoing legal and justice-related issues in the country so they can begin contributing solutions early. He emphasized that while learning from court judgments is important, students should also be proactive in identifying problems that have not yet reached the courts.

He also underscored the crucial role law students can play in communities where many people lack access to legal services due to financial constraints or geographical barriers. “Students can support citizens who have never had access to a lawyer. Helping the community also helps students expand their thinking,” he added.

The Coordinator of MKU’s Law Department, Me Yussuf Nsengiyumva, said ILPD plays a central role in shaping fully qualified legal practitioners, which is why the university regularly invites the institution to engage with its students.

“We want our students to see that what we teach is practical. They must understand that learning does not end here there is more knowledge and training they need in order to become excellent lawyers,” he said.

Second-year MKU law student Gloria Nshutinziza described the session as insightful, noting that it helped her understand that classroom learning alone is not sufficient for a successful legal career.