University of Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda
Who We Are
The University of Rwanda from the land of a thousand hills is composed of four students: Bavandimwe Olivier, Ishimwe Jean Luc, Shyaka Yves and Uwihirwe Josiane, and is supported by two local coaches, Itete Mugagga Emmanuel and Ishimwe Jean Claude, and two satellite coaches, Cathalijne Stoof and Philippine Chapot.
This only being the team’s second year in the Vis Moot, the team is looking to build its capacity to compete and excel through learning from and networking with the Vis Moot world of experts. The team looks forward to a wonderfully challenging and rewarding experience.
Jean Luc Ishimwe
Jean Luc is a dedicated participant in the Vis Moot with a passion for international arbitration. As part of the team, he actively explores complex legal issues in commercial disputes and sharpens skills in drafting and oral advocacy. His focus is on mastering UNCITRAL rules, CISG and other international and national arbitration rules and procedural frameworks. He sees participating in the Vis Moot as a unique opportunity for deepening his understanding of, and contribution to effective dispute resolution.
Josiane Uwihirwe
Josiane is a final-year law student at the University of Rwanda. She serves as the country representative for the International Moot Court at the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) and is the Director of Welfare and Career Guidance for the University of Rwanda’s Law Students Association. Josiane is passionate about arbitration and dispute resolution. She is currently researching confidentiality in arbitration, with a focus on its impact in international commercial disputes.
Olivier Bavandimwe
Olivier is a final-year law student at the University of Rwanda. He currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Moot Court Department within the University of Rwanda Law Students Association, where he contributes to fostering advocacy skills among his peers.
Olivier is passionate about commercial law, with a keen interest in taxation and the creative industries. He is undertaking his dissertation on the challenges of imposing real regime personal income tax on music artists in Rwanda. A dedicated researcher, Olivier enjoys exploring complex legal issues and contributing to innovative legal scholarship.
His enthusiasm for moot court competitions is evident through his active participation in various national and international competitions. Olivier has competed in the iPeace Great Lakes Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Additionally, he honed his organizational skills as a member of the team that hosted the 33rd Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
Olivier values teamwork and thrives in collaborative settings. He is especially drawn to the Vis Moot, as it provides a platform to engage deeply with international commercial arbitration and trade law. His dedication and experience make him a promising advocate in the legal field.
Yves Shyaka
Yves is a fourth year law student at the University of Rwanda, passionate about international arbitration and dispute resolution. Participating in the Vis Moot is an exciting opportunity for him to deepen his understanding of commercial law and advocacy skills. He is particularly drawn to the practical challenges of crafting persuasive arguments and navigating complex legal frameworks. His coursework in legal principles and commitment to continuous learning supports his aspirations in arbitration. Engaging with peers and mentors in the Vis Moot will enrich his journey toward becoming a skilled advocate.
Emmanuel Itete Mugagga (Coach)
Emmanuel is an Assistant Lecturer at University of Rwanda’s School of law where he teaches among other courses, ADR, and has served at the University’s centre for Legal Aid and Mediation.
Emmanuel is an Arbitrator and Mediator at the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), an accredited Court Mediator with the Rwandan Supreme Court, and a licensed member of the Rwanda Bar Association and the East Africa Law Society. Emmanuel is a Partner at Fountain Advocates and practices in Rwanda.
He holds a master’s degree in commercial law from Erasmus University Rotterdam, besides other degrees, diplomas, and certificates and is a chapter contributor on ADR in a book project, “The Modern Laws of Rwanda”.
Emmanuel has also participated in the 17th and 18th ICC Competition on International Commercial Mediation as an Observer and Judge, and Mediator, respectively.
Cathalijne Stoof (Coach)
Cathalijne is pursuing an LLM at the University of Amsterdam and working as a law assistant at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek.
Jean Claude Ishimwe (Coach)
Jean Claude is a graduate of the University of Rwanda and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is a Junior Associate at Aims Capital Associates. He participated in the Vis Moot last year and was appointed as one of the local coaches having excelled in his team.