Author: Elvis Kwizera
With the sun-drenched summer months already here, East Africa prepares to welcome a dynamic array of cultural celebrations, music festivals, and adventurous experiences that capture the essence of the region’s rich cultural heritage and artistic prowess. From the mesmerizing coastal shores of Kenya to the majestic Nile River in Uganda, the East African festival scene promises a tapestry of vibrant events that resonate with locals and international visitors alike. FESTIVAL OF DHOW (Zanzibar – July) Rounding up the eclectic festival scene is the “Festival of Dhow” in Zanzibar, a widely anticipated annual event held in July that celebrates the fusion…
Remember when you resolved back in January to reach a certain financial goal in 2024? Maybe you wanted more savings or to afford a few things on your wishlist. The ordeal of those resolutions often calls for patience. However, summer can be a good time for a quick financial review, while there’s still time to make adjustments if you’re falling behind on your goal. Passive incomes, found mostly in the form of side hustles, offer a loophole to the challenging world of less income and hence, the slow journey to fulfilling your plans. When I was first asked to explore…
Rwandans are gearing up for the general elections on Monday, July 15, with those in the diaspora having begun casting their ballots as early as midnight on Sunday. The presidential race is not the only contest on the Election Day ballots; in addition to choosing a head of state, Rwandans will also vote for parliamentary candidates. In the presidential race, voters will select from three candidates: Paul Kagame of the RPF-Inkotanyi, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana. Meanwhile, 589 candidates compete for 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. With over nine…
Uwayezu Arielle, better known by her stage name Ariel Wayz, is a talented Rwandan singer. Born in 2000 in Rubavu, Western Province, she grew up in a family of eight, with her mother having sung in Orchestre Ingeri during the 1990s. Ariel’s passion for music led her to successfully audition for a Nyundo School of Music scholarship in 2015, where she began her musical journey. As a co-founder and vocal lead of the Symphony music band, Ariel Wayz showcased her talent and creativity. However, it was in 2021 that Ariel truly made her mark with the hit single “Away” featuring…
Last Friday and Saturday saw the return of Green Ferry Music’s return of the ‘I am hip-hop’ festival, an annual event created to promote all the richness of hip-hop culture, happening since 2017. This year’s event brought together rappers, DJs, breakdancers, streetwear designers, BMX riders and graffiti for two days of shows and exhibitions. Day one was more of a warm-up for what was in store with performances from Skidd, Insibika, White Monkey and Red ink. Saturday’s show was even more exciting with household names like Bull Dogg, B-Threy and Ish Kevin on the lineup. The avenue made the experience…
Last week was filled with unforgettable events, from festivals to the Euro 2024 football showdown, a star-studded BET Awards, and more. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights that made headlines. The Toxxyk Xperience: A Beachside Party to Remember Gisenyi, Rwanda, was abuzz with excitement as partygoers flocked to the west side of Rwanda for the highly anticipated “Toxxyk Xperience”. Hosted by DJ Toxxyk at Heza Beach, the event promised a night of non-stop entertainment featuring a stellar lineup of artists, including Logan Joe, Ish Kevin, and Chriss Eazy, with deejays Marnaud, Higa, and Rusam keeping the energy high.…
Here’s a recap of the highs and lows that made headlines in the past week. Rwanda’s Presidential Campaigns Kick-off This past weekend, the stage was set for the upcoming July presidential and parliamentary elections as campaigns kicked off with fervor. The ruling party RPF-Inkotanyi, led by incumbent President Paul Kagame, launched their bid with massive rallies in Musanze and Rubavu districts. While Democratic Green Party’s Frank Habineza started in Gasabo and Kamonyi, and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana kicked off his rallies in Kirehe and Ngoma districts. The events, attended by hundreds of thousands of supporters, featured not only political speeches…
Over the past few years, Rwanda’s real estate market has experienced significant growth, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country’s economy. According to the National Institute of Statistics (NISR), the services sector, which includes real estate, contributed 44% of Rwanda’s national GDP. The stable political climate, rapidly increasing urbanization and population growth, and efforts to promote economic proliferation and urban development have all contributed to this expansion, attracting more investors to both commercial and residential segments. Hassan Adan Hassan, CEO of ADHI Africa Holding Ltd, a real estate development and construction company, provided an overview of Rwanda’s…
Social Media Ignites Gender and Youth Representation Debate This past week, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) became the battleground for a heated debate on gender and youth representation. The spark was lit by the Minister of Youth and Arts, Utumatwishima, who commented on a Radio Rwanda post that announced a panel discussion on Africa’s strategies amidst global conflicts. The minister’s retweet pointed out the absence of female and youth panellists, noting that the issues at hand affect all demographics equally. This ignited a debate among Social Media users: Should women be included in discussions merely for representation, or should…
In a speeding thrill, Gakwaya Jean Claude and Mugabo Jean Claude took home the 2024 Huye Rally this Sunday 16th. The race that transformed Huye into a stimulating arena, saw Rwandans take first place, closely followed by Ugandans Fred Kitaka Busulwa and Joseph Bongole, with a time difference of only four minutes and ten seconds. This year’s Huye Rally, organized by the Rwanda Automobile Club, began on Friday, and brought together top talent from Uganda and Rwanda, commencing with an electrifying night stage in Huye City. Thirteen teams embarked on the challenge at 8 pm, navigating a 3km strip through…