International students in Uganda have been urged to promote Pan-Africanism in their communities to facilitate international trade for the development of the continent.

Pan-Africanism is the principle or advocacy of the political union of all the indigenous inhabitants of Africa.

Hajji Nsereko Mutumba the former spokesperson of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) said African countries are like bricks that can do much when put together other than when divided.

“Pan-Africanism can open the door to unlimited trading, security, health and education between different countries which can easily facilitate development,” he noted.

Mutumba made the remarks while officiating as guest of honour during the 13-graduation ceremony at Old Kampala Adult School where 50 international students were awarded certificates in English language, Information & Communication Technology among other fields in Kampala on Saturday.

He further noted that international students can promote Pan-Africanism through teaching others their languages, cultures and also encourage peaceful coexistence between people of different origins.

Mutumba asked teachers in all learning institutions to emphasise discipline adding that without this people cannot achieve success as they are disorganised and chaotic.

He asked foreign students to be security conscious and also report to authorities any suspicious people in their areas.

The school executive director Henry Lucky thanked the government for having an open-door refugee policy which he said is giving opportunity to many Ugandans to learn different cultures from the visitors.

He asked the government to ensure that there is equality in the tuition that learning institutions charge local and international students, saying often international students are charged more.

“Often, when a national student pays tuition of sh700,000 a semester an international student will be required to pay sh1.5 yet both people sit in the same classes with the same lecturers,” he argued.

Lucky urged more people to go for English and Kiswahili classes to be able to communicate in society and also be able to conduct business with all people.

He also pointed out that a few Ugandans register for adult education for language classes adding that of all students they usually register only 1% are Ugandan.

The graduates included those from South Sudan, Somalia, Congo, Eritrea, Burundi, Sudan, and Yemen among other countries.

At the event graduates were seen dancing to local music from their countries in celebration of their achievements.