Author: Jane Babirye

All photos by Getty Also known as the Met Ball, the Met Gala is one of the most anticipated events in the fashion world, and this year’s edition did not disappoint. Hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the gala saw celebrities, designers, and fashion enthusiasts come together to celebrate the opening of the annual fashion exhibit. For SENS, these stars stole the spotlight with their stunning outfits, leaving our jaws dropped both in awe of their creativity and efforts in pulling out the theme of the year: ‘The Garden of Time’. Zendaya, the American actress and singer, was our red…

The first lady of Rwanda H.E, Jeannette Kagame, was on 5th, May 2024 named the seventh most decent African first lady by Descent Africa magazine – after scoring a Global Decency Index of 5.9. According to the magazine, Jeannette’s significant contributions to Rwanda and the continent, coupled with her dedication to improving the lives of women and children, earned her this prestigious accolade. For this year’s ratings, the magazine says the list was a compilation of the First Ladies’ public appearances from over 25 events in the previous year. Jeannette Kagame, the force behind the Imbuto Foundation – a non-profit organisation focusing on youth and women empowerment through humanitarian work…

“I wonder whether I will ever fall in love,” complained a friend who believes they’re running late on marriage. Given her profession and demanding work schedule, she argues she can’t date off work or make time to go out and mingle. Liz (not a real name) works 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. On her off days, she goes to church and does some housework, with her body requiring some personal time. Every now and then, Liz is ‘swept off her feet’ with dinner invitations and gifts from charming clients, only to decline them in the name of professionalism. Love and professionalism are two important aspects of our lives. However, sometimes they come into conflict, especially in professions where it…

This year marks exactly thirty years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ravaged Rwanda. Although it may sound like a long time, in the hearts of many Rwandans, it feels like yesterday. “The wounds are still fresh, and it will take a while before they heal”, Jemima Kakizi remarked. Nonetheless, she, like many others born before or after the Genocide, refuse to let the past define them. Kakizi is a compassionate artist who for the past years, has dedicated her craft to Rwanda’s healing, a journey she embarked on in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, after she enrolled for…

When you mention the name Rebero to a ‘Kigalian’, the first thing that comes to their mind is Canal Olympia, coupled with imaginary appearances either in the cinema hall savoring on popcorn while watching their favorite movie, playing the escape game with friends, or in the soccer/basketball court showcasing fitness skills. However, there’s more to this hilltop gem than just fitness and movies-a museum. In the green lush RDB garden, adjacent to Agaseke centre, is where king Ngabo planted his museum-such a thoughtful choice for an artist. Upon entering the studio, the first painting that ushers you in is the…

In 2021, while studying at Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) in one of the course- introductions to print media, we were tasked to trace the history of magazines in Rwanda. Upon researching, I stumbled on the Kangura and Kanguka publications and their role in the 1994 genocide. The latter was an RPF response to the MRND publications. And oh my, with every reading surged feelings of guilt for my once precarious judgements. Everything started to make sense. The following year, some friends exploring Rwanda asked me to tag along as they planned to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Despite feeling…

As the 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi continues — both in Rwanda and all over the world–, this year, the spotlight encompassed women survivors and victims, whose resilience tremendously contributed to Rwanda’s rebuilding. In the harrowing days of the genocide, Tutsi women were targeted mercilessly, with the design to attack their powerful ability to imbue life. Otherwise, the womb. Nevertheless, these women stood tall, representing 70 percent of the surviving population. For a couple of years, these details were snubbed, only representing the victims’ sturdiness through “Up Right Men” sculptures installed at genocide memorials and elsewhere…

In one of his statements during the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, President Paul kagame stressed that the youth are the guardians of Rwanda’s future and the foundation of unity, with a completely different mindset from the generation before. Well, this was witnessed on 9th April, 2024, when a group of over 6000 youths gathered at Kicukiro-Nyanza Genocide memorial site, to pay tribute to over a million lives lost during the massacre, as well as stretch their pledge to remember, unite and renew. Organised by Christian Intwari and his team, through their umbrella; ‘Our Past Initiatives’,…

President Paul Kagame has been named among the political leaders to co-chair the Global Citizen NOW summit 2024 in New York City. According to a press release dated 28th march 2024, Global Citizen is set to hold a two day summit at Spring Studios in New York from 1st to 2nd May, 2024. Kagame will co-chair the summit alongside Mokgweetsi Masisi-President of Botswana; Gaston Browne-Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Philip Davis-Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Stefan Löfven-Former Prime Minister of Sweden, and Erna Solberg-Former Prime Minister of Norway. Themed ‘Act Now, Save Tomorrow’, the summit intends to focus on…

While Easter is one of the central holy days of Christianity-It honors the resurrection of Jesus and a conclusion to the Lenten season-time of devoted prayer, fasting and penitence, a ‘must’ attend church day, church in some places becoming more than what Christians signed up for. In Uganda for instance, a pastor recently made headlines after he asked his congregation for ‘huge’ amounts of money in the name of ‘sowing for dreams’. Pastor Samuel Kakande, reportedly asked his followers to “write down their dreams and attach them to the ministry’s email along with the required fee of $300” with promises…