Author: Jane Babirye

The beauty about public holidays is; despite the day being locally/internationally recognised, the decision to celebrate remains an individual choice. In Uganda where I hail from for instance, 26th January is NRM Liberation day. Do ‘we’ (the youth) commemorate the day? No. Why? Mainly political reasons (that I wouldn’t want to indulge in at the moment). Similarly, 14th February every year is globally acknowledged as Valentine’s day. And although certain assumptions have announced the day as a universal way to show love to everyone who holds a special place in your heart, St. Valentine’s ‘romantic’ letter to the girlfriend ahead…

Valentine’s Day in Kigali offers a plethora of enchanting experiences tailored to various tastes. Whether you’ll be celebrating love with a partner, enjoying a night out with friends, or indulging in self-care, the city has something special in store. Here’s a curated list of events and packages to consider for a perfect way to celebrate love, friendship, and joy. Fall in Love with Beauty First things first: Self-love. As you wait on that ‘special’ person to treat you this valentine’s, Rwanda’s Leading Beauty Haven–Her Majesty Cosmetics has decided to ‘Love You Back’ with a wide range of their best sellers’…

Dating today isn’t just about swiping right or sliding into DMs. It has become a cultural phenomenon with its own dictionary. Forget the old-school labels like “single” or “taken”; the modern love scene has introduced terms as intricate as the relationships they describe. We might have Jada Pinkett Smith to thank for this evolution. When she called her relationship with August Alsina an “entanglement,” it was as if she gave everyone permission to rebrand their romantic situations. Now, every moment has a catchy name. Whether you’re single, mingling, or in a relationship, staying fluent in love lingo is more than…

As the New Year draws near, we’re filled with excitement and hope for the future. The start of the year brings with it a renewed energy and a chance to set goals, whether in health, career, relationships, or personal growth. Kudos to those who already keep a journal and diligently set resolutions. Special applause to those who stay committed and see them through. Unfortunately, not everyone succeeds in keeping their goals, and if you fall into this category, this article is for you. The problem often lies in setting unrealistic goals or not knowing where to start. This year, let’s…

Tick, tock, tick, tock—the clock keeps ticking. One minute, the holiday season is here, and the next, it’s gone. Now, we’re stuck in ‘JanWorry’, and your pockets are reminding you of all the lavish indulgences from the festivities. Take a breath. No need to stress or feel guilty about enjoying life—that’s what you’re meant to do! But now, you’re here in this never-ending month, and it’s time to live again. This time, however, you’ll be working with a more fixed budget. It’s going to take some creativity, but you can thrive, not just survive, January. Ready to get frugal? Read…

The 2024 Global Mobility Report by Henley, a leading residence and citizenship advisory firm, indicates that Rwanda now has visa-free access to 65 destinations, representing 29% of the globe. While this milestone opens doors to incredible opportunities for travel enthusiasts, it can also be a gateway to transformative education, equipping Rwandans with skills that benefit not just themselves but the entire nation and continent. We know that pursuing international education comes with high costs, and with the current economy not “economying,” this may make you hold back. But worry not! We’ve got you covered with a detailed list of scholarship…

Storytime: It wasn’t until 2018 that this writer started wearing trousers. She was visiting Rwanda with friends and like any other tourists, they had to move around for some city viewing, food tasting and souvenir buying in Kigali. Kigali is known, among other things, for bustling with motorcycles at any given moment in a day, it is affordable, fast and cuts through traffic so conveniently. Not so long after we arrived in Kigali, that we realized the motos are not only safer than the boda bodas back home in Kampala, but also cleaner. Another difference that I didn’t notice until…

‘New year new me’ shouldn’t just be a saying. It should be a lifestyle, a commitment you live up to throughout the year–particularly the ‘new me’ part. When setting plans for the “new you” for 2025, on the list of all the big things you want to do and be – fit, heathy, social, traveler, and many more, remember the seemingly trivial habits that can easily become your repellent personality traits. Here are some suggestions: Since health is wealth, let us talk about hydration. Many of us underestimate the importance of drinking enough water forgetting the habit’s impact–dehydration can cause…

The holiday season isn’t just a calendar fixture—it’s a time for connection, reflection, and celebration. Whether you’re rounding off the year with loved ones or seeking a moment of peace to recharge, this season offers the perfect opportunity to wrap up the old year and welcome the new one with hope and joy. From cozy home gatherings to breathtaking outdoor adventures, here’s how to make your New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day truly memorable. Deck Your Halls, Kigali Style We all adore how Kigali transforms into a festive wonderland during this time of year—so why not bring a bit…

The festive season is all joy, fun, food, and gifts—until nosy aunts, judgmental cousins, and over-involved parents decide to turn it into a life intervention. Instead of dessert, they serve interrogations—peppering you with unsolicited questions about your personal timeline. For years, these ‘beloved’ relatives have taken the liberty of turning holiday cheer into a grilling session. But this is where we draw the line. This year, we’re helping you reclaim the holidays with hacks to turn those dreaded gatherings into celebrations of love—not a trial about marriage, babies, or career choices. Set Boundaries First and foremost, set clear boundaries. This…