RESIDENTS
Resident News & Activities
My AOC 2026 Experience: Learning, Laughing, and Loving Cape Town
By: Anna Major, PGY3
The African Ophthalmology Council (AOC) 2026 Scientific Conference in Cape Town turned out to be so much more than three days of eye-care brilliance; it felt like a full adventure. The sessions were packed with fresh ideas on innovation, education, and collaboration across Africa, and I left with tons of new insights to bring back to my own training. One of my favorite moments was the 3-hour Phaco simulation wetlab sponsored by Orbis/Alcon, which was an incredibly enriching session that genuinely sharpened my skills.
But honestly, the people added a special spark that made the whole experience truly unforgettable. I met new colleagues who quickly became friends, and our conversations, whether over coffee or while wandering around the city, reminded me how powerful connection and collaboration can be. I was especially inspired by Dr. Gladys Atto, a young ophthalmologist from Karamoja, Uganda, who literally built an entire ophthalmology unit from the ground up. I was equally amazed by Dr. Marlene Young, an 89-year-old ophthalmologist still doing incredible work in Kenya. These two women are living proof that passion in ophthalmology has no age limit and no strict requirements – just heart, grit, and commitment. Meeting such driven, dedicated ladies was a huge motivation boost for me.
And then there was Cape Town itself. The city was stunning from every angle. From the spectacular views of Table Mountain to the vibrant waterfront that felt a little like home, the city added a sense of wonder to the entire experience. It was the perfect backdrop for a conference focused on vision, clarity, and connection.
I left the conference feeling inspired, connected and grateful, not just because of what I learned, but because of the people and the beauty of the city that made the experience truly one of a kind.
A huge thank you to the RIIO directors, especially Prof Ciku Mathenge, for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime.
MEET OUR RESIDENTS
Our First Years (PGY1)
Dr. Amos Yoke Rufas
South Sudan
Dr. Amos joined the training program in 2026, with a strong interest in comprehensive eye care, clinical ophthalmology, and the surgical management of ocular diseases. He is a graduate of the School of Medicine at the University of Juba, South Sudan, where he earned his MBBS degree. Prior to joining the program, he worked as a general practitioner, an experience that provided him with valuable insight into holistic patient care and the importance of addressing patients’ needs with compassion and professionalism. He also served as a medical officer at Buluk Eye Clinic in Juba, where he gained practical experience in the assessment and management of patients with various ocular conditions.
As a citizen of the world’s youngest country, South Sudan, Dr. Amos has witnessed firsthand the significant shortage of ophthalmologists and the resulting lack of adequate access to quality eye care for a large proportion of the population. This experience has strengthened his commitment to improving eye health in his country, particularly through accessible and sustainable eye care services and outreach programs for underserved communities. He believes that this gap can be narrowed by making quality eye care more accessible and available to every patient, regardless of their geographical or socioeconomic circumstances.
Through the world-class education, cutting-edge technology, modern surgical techniques, and advanced ophthalmic equipment available at RIIO, Dr. Amos aims to develop the knowledge, clinical expertise, and surgical skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of ophthalmic care in South Sudan. His long-term goal is to apply the knowledge and skills gained through his training to strengthen eye care services in his home country and help ensure that every patient has access to timely, affordable, and high-quality ophthalmic care.
Dr. Ge'Anne Hilton
The Bahamas
Dr Ge’Anne Hilton is a native of Nassau Bahamas and is a first year ophthalmology resident at RIIO with a passion for advancing eye health and expanding access to
comprehensive ophthalmic care. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, graduating cum laude from Savannah State University, where she also competed as a Division I tennis player. She later pursued her medical degree at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, where she continued her involvement in tennis while completing her medical training. Throughout her training, she has demonstrated a commitment to leadership, service, and community health awareness.
Following medical school, she worked as a Senior House Officer in the Department of Ophthalmology at Princess Margaret Hospital, further developing her passion for eye care and ophthalmic medicine. She has also been involved with civic organizations promoting health awareness in The Bahamas, and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
As an ophthalmology resident, she is committed to developing her clinical and surgical expertise while pursuing her passion for advancing eye health in The Bahamas. Her long-term goal is to increase awareness and access to quality eye care while helping to introduce innovative treatments for eye disease to Bahamian patients. Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing tennis and spending quality time with family and friends.
Dr. Eric Niyomuremyi
Rwanda
Dr. Eric Niyomuremyi is a first year resident with a strong interest in providing quality eye care and helping patients preserve and regain their vision, especially in resource-limited settings.
Born and raised in Muhanga District in Rwanda’s Southern Province, Dr. Eric obtained his medical degree from the University of Rwanda in 2023. After graduation, he worked as a General Practitioner, gaining experience in General Outpatient, Pediatrics, and Gynecology. Working in these different clinical settings helped him develop a broad approach to patient care and strengthened his interest in ophthalmology.
In 2026, he joined RIIO to begin his residency training in ophthalmology. He is particularly interested in developing his clinical and surgical skills while contributing to the prevention of avoidable blindness. His goal is to become a skilled ophthalmologist who provides compassionate, evidence-based care and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of his patients.
Dr. Fabrice Shyaka
Rwanda
Dr. Fabrice Shyaka is a medical doctor and ophthalmology resident at the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO). He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Rwanda in 2019.
Before joining ophthalmology residency, Dr. Shyaka gained broad clinical experience working as a general practitioner in different healthcare settings in Rwanda, managing a wide range of medical and surgical conditions, as well as emergency and outpatient cases. These experiences strengthened his clinical judgment, commitment to patient-centered care, and interest in developing specialized skills in ophthalmology.
Our Second Years (PGY2)
Dr. Alain Bachweki
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dr. Bachweki was born in Bunia (DRC) and earned his Medical Degree (MBChB) from the Université de Goma (UNIGOM) in 2023. He completed his one-year medical internship at HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma before joining RIIO in 2025. During this period, he participated in a medical camp in a rural district near Goma, North Kivu Province. Among the many encounters during this mission, one profoundly influenced his career: He met a 12-year-old girl who had been living with diabetes since childhood and had become blind because of inadequate monitoring and limited access to healthcare and eye-care services. Her story deeply touched him and made him realize that her blindness might have been preventable. This experience awakened in him a strong passion for ophthalmology and strengthened his desire to contribute to the prevention of avoidable blindness, particularly among underserved communities in his country.
Since starting his residency, the diverse training opportunities, mentorship and his recent rotation at one of Rwanda's busiest eye clinics has further strengthened his clinical experience, allowing him to diagnose and understand the management of a wide range of eye conditions and refine his practical skills. His mission is inspired by the words of Frederick Buechner: “The place God calls you to his the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” For him, ophthalmology represents precisely this intersection: a profession through which his passion for medicine, his desire to serve, and the world's need for accessible eye care can come together.
Dr. Christopher Cash
The Bahamas
A native of The Bahamas, Dr. Christopher Cash built his medical foundation at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, earning a Bachelor of Medical Science before completing his MBBS through UWI Mona/SCMR Bahamas. His clinical acumen was further sharpened as a Senior House Officer in the Department of Surgery, where he cultivated the diagnostic precision and procedural discipline that continue to define his approach to patient care.
Dr. Cash's academic focus centers on anterior segment surgery, an area in which he is developing both technical expertise and a scholarly interest in improving surgical outcomes. He is driven by a deeper mission: expanding ophthalmic awareness and equitable eye care in resource-limited settings, particularly within his home country of The Bahamas, where the burden of preventable blindness remains a pressing public health concern.
Training within Rwanda's dynamic ophthalmic landscape has proven uniquely formative as the clinical realities he encounters daily closely mirror those of the Caribbean, offering him an invaluable, contextually relevant model of care. Through RIIO, Dr. Cash is cultivating the advanced clinical judgment and surgical skill necessary to return home as a transformative force in Bahamian Ophthalmology; one committed to elevating standards of care, expanding access, and building lasting awareness around preventable vision loss in underserved communities.
Dr. Alexis Ndayishimiye
Rwanda
Dr. Alexis Ndayishimiye is a medical doctor who graduated from the University of Rwanda in 2023 and is currently a second-year ophthalmology resident at the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO). His clinical interest is in pediatric ophthalmology, with a particular focus on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and research aimed at improving early detection and preventing avoidable childhood blindness.
He chose RIIO to pursue his ophthalmology career because of its commitment to combining world-class education, cutting-edge technology, and community-focused eye care. He believes this environment provides an excellent foundation for becoming a skilled ophthalmologist while contributing to the advancement of eye care in Rwanda and across Africa
Outside of medicine, he enjoys reading, spending time with his family, and continuous learning.
Dr. Assoumpta Gasengayire
Rwanda
Dr. Gasengayire graduated from the University of Rwanda and is a committed and compassionate second-year resident specializing in ophthalmology at RIIO-COESCA. She is particularly interested in anterior segment surgery and is drawn to the precision and impact of restoring sight through this subspecialty. She is fascinated by innovations and technological advancements in ophthalmology, a passion that keeps her at the cutting edge of medical practice. Her dedication to restoring vision and improving her patients' quality of life reflects her broader commitment to making a lasting impact on her community.
Dr. Aimable Munyeshyaka
Rwanda
Dr. Aimable Munyeshyaka holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Rwanda.
Dr. Munyeshyaka has participated in several ophthalmology training programs and professional conferences, including the Flying Eye Hospital training program conducted by RIIO in collaboration with Orbis International, as well as specialized training and conferences in glaucoma and general ophthalmology. His professional interests include ophthalmic care, disease prevention, health promotion, and improving community eye health.
Dr. Daniel Hategekimana
Rwanda
Dr Daniel graduated from the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, with a Bachelor's degree in General Medicine and Surgery in 2023. He then completed a year of clinical practice with a focus on Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pediatrics, and Neonatology. He is now a second-year ophthalmology resident with a growing interest in global ophthalmology and pediatric ophthalmology, drawn to the reach of global eye health work and his love of working with children. Outside the clinic, he enjoys long night walks and spending time with family.
Dr. Evrard Bizimana
Rwanda
Dr. Evrard Bizimana holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the University of Rwanda and is committed to providing quality eye care and contributing to improved access to ophthalmic services in Rwanda and the region.
He chose ophthalmology because of his interest in restoring and preserving vision and helping address the growing need for accessible, specialized eye care. He is particularly interested in clinical ophthalmology, cataract and anterior segment surgery, corneal diseases, and ophthalmic research.
His residency training has been a rewarding and transformative experience, allowing him to develop his clinical knowledge and surgical skills through patient care, academic activities, simulation training, and hands-on surgical experience. He looks forward to continuing his professional development and contributing to the advancement of ophthalmology through clinical service, research, and lifelong learning.
Our Third Years (PGY3)
Dr. Anna Major
The Bahamas
Dr Anna Major, a proud Bahamian and third-year post-graduate resident at RIIO, is defined by unwavering purpose and a tireless work ethic. Her dedication to ophthalmology has taken her nearly 12,000 kilometers from home in pursuit of the expertise needed to strengthen eye care services in The Bahamas. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry (magna cum laude) from Florida Memorial University, USA, and a dual BMSc and MD from The University of the West Indies, Jamaica, earning multiple academic awards and contributing meaningful research, including a 2020 publication on ocular manifestations of COVID-19. Her current research interest focuses on advancing the Eye Health Workforce in The Bahamas to improve national care delivery. Beyond her professional commitments, she cherishes time with loved ones, her faith, journaling, and cooking.
Dr. Gad Dusengimana
Rwanda
Dr. Gad Dusengimana joined RIIO in 2023 to pursue advanced clinical training and research in eye health. He earned his medical degree from the University of Rwanda in 2019 and worked in the public health sector for three
years before joining RIIO to specialize in ophthalmology.
Passionate about improving access to quality eye care, he is involved in clinical practice, research, academic activities, and community outreach aimed at reducing preventable blindness. In 2025, he presented a case report at the COECSA International Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He is a proud COECSA trainee and aspires to contribute to the development of accessible, high-quality eye-care services regionally and internationally.
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Dr. Jean Rene Kwizera
Rwanda
Dr Jean Rene Kwizera joined the program in August 2023. He is committed to serving patients and helping bring eye care to the communities that need it most. He chose ophthalmology to help close the gap between the large number of patients who need eye care and the small number of ophthalmologists available to treat them. The field's fast-growing, technology-driven nature also matches his personal interest in technology.
His training so far has been a rewarding experience, helping him build both clinical and surgical skills. He has successfully passed the written COECSA examinations in Optics, Instruments, Refraction, Basic Science, and Clinical Science, and looks forward to completing the remaining steps toward becoming a fully competent ophthalmologist.
Dr. Jean de Dieu Ntivuruzwa
Rwanda
Dr. Jean de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa joined RIIO in 2023, where his training combines clinical practice, surgical skills, and research. He earned his medical degree from the University of Rwanda (UR) in 2019. Passionate about improving access to quality eye care, he is actively involved in academic, clinical, and community outreach initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of preventable blindness. He is committed to contributing to the development and expansion of eye care services, both regionally and internationally.
Dr. Moise Ishimwe
Rwanda
Dr. Moise Ishimwe Sebikari graduated from University of Rwanda, with a growing interest in comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract surgery, retinal diseases, and global eye health.
His clinical training is complemented by active involvement in ophthalmic research and community eye-care initiatives, including cataract outreach services.
He is particularly passionate about improving access to quality eye care and strengthening evidence-based ophthalmic practice in Rwanda and across Africa.
Dr. Ishimwe is committed to continuous learning, surgical excellence, patient-centered care, and contributing to the advancement of ophthalmology through research, education, and service.
Dr. Norbert Uzabumwana
Rwanda
Dr. Norbert Uzabumwana is a graduate of University of Rwanda, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (2018). He then served as a General Practitioner at Rwanda Military Hospital, in the Emergency and Critical Care Department for five years before joining his ophthalmology residency at Rwanda International Institute of ophthalmology in 2023.
He is currently a third-year resident. His clinical interest lies in pediatric ophthalmology, though he is training as a comprehensive ophthalmologist, recognizing the breadth of care needed across Rwanda. When he is not at the clinic he likes to read, watch movies and spend time with his family.
Our First Years (PGY1)
RESIDENT NEWS
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Global ophthalmology summit
Prof Ciku presented a talk on Eye screening s using AI in Rwanda at the Global Ophthalmology Summit, hosted by RIIO partner, the Wills Eye Hospital. A talk by Dr Cropsey on Innovative Financing Models was also featured at the summit.
Philadelphia, USA
AUG, ,2026
RIIO at aoc2026 congress
RIIO proudly supported the AOC2026 Congress and sponsored the congress app. Faculty members Prof Ciku (also AOC president) and Dr Tsedeke participated as speakers. Resident Dr Anna Major, attended and took part in a phase training wetlab and other sessions.
Cape Town, South Africa
July, 2026
CATARACT SURGICAL CAMPAIGN
During the RDF Cataract Surgical Campaign at Kibagabaga Level 2 Teaching Hospital, RIIO faculty, residents and dedicated partners performed over 100 surgeries to patients in need.
Kigali, Rwanda
June, 2026
SCHOOL SCREENING GUEST
Hon. Claudette Irere, Minister of State for Education at Groupe Scolaire Kanazi, visited our school eye screening program. Across 20 schools in the district, over 22,700 students and 500 teachers have undergone screening so far.
Bugesera, Rwanda
June, 2026
DR. VINCENT MAGUBO
We mourn the passing of Dr. Vincent Magubo, the Class of 2025’s top graduate. His presence, kindness, contributions and excellence will be remembered and celebrated by the entire RIIO community.
June, 2026
2026 SCHOOL EYE SCREENING
RIIO launched the 2026 School Eye Health Screening Program in Bugesera District. Screenings began on 11 May at New Explorers Girls Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with support from Direct Aid.