In honor of Labour Day, we take a closer look at the vibrant and diverse workforce that powers Kigali, Rwanda. From the early morning hustle of street vendors to the meticulous precision of corporate professionals, each day is a testament to their dedication and resilience. This article delves into their daily lives, offering a glimpse into their routines, challenges, and triumphs. Join us as we explore the unique stories and experiences that make up the heartbeat of this dynamic city.
“I’m an early bird ” — Uwineza Chantal, Street Vendor.
I ran into Chantal one hot afternoon, near the Nyabugogo bus park. At first, I didn’t want to bother her in that heat, but when I walked over, she greeted me with a kind smile—one that says she’s used to pushing through long days every day.
“I wake up at 4 a.m.,” she told me. “By 5, I’m already in Nyabugogo, trying to find the best fruits—mostly bananas and passion fruits. The majority of my buyers are students and people heading to work, so I need to catch them early.”
Once she’s done selling in the morning, she heads back home to Kicukiro Centre–there’s always something to do: a few chores and a bit of rest.
In the afternoon, at 3 p.m., she’s back out again, setting up at Nyanza-Galé. “That time works for me,” she said. “It’s not too busy, and it’s safer. On a good day, I can make about 6,000 RWF. It’s not a lot, but it helps me take care of my kids.”
Chantal doesn’t complain. Even with the sun beating down and her legs tired from standing all day, she keeps smiling. It’s not easy—but she’s doing what she can.
“I ride people around the city” — Nsengiyumva Emmanuel, Moto Taxi Driver
Emmanuel is one of the many moto taxi drivers who help ‘Kigalians’ stay on the move.
“My schedule?” he laughs. “Honestly, it’s not static. Some days I start at 6:00am and work until 2 or 3 a.m. While on others I begin at 3 p.m. all through the night.”
Emmanuel admits that mornings aren’t really his thing. “People rush out to work around 6 a.m., but by 11, things slow down and it gets quiet. The real hustle starts around 5 p.m. when people are leaving work. That’s when I make the most money.”
He adores his job because it feeds him and keeps him ‘going’. “ I’m proud that I learnt how to work. Nkavana amaboko mu mufuka—I took my hands out of my pockets,” Emmanuel stressed.
“I work in a company” — anonymous, corporate worker
“I work for a tech company,” she said introducing herself. “My mornings start as early as 5:00 a.m. I’m a lady, hence need extra time to get ready,” she added. Rose (not real name) is then picked by her company car an hour later, setting off to ‘face’ the day.
Breakfast? Not her thing. “I’m not big on early breakfasts,” she said. “I just drink some water and get straight to work.”
Her first real pause comes around 9 a.m.—a quick coffee break and maybe a light snack. Then she gets back to it, typing, planning, replying to emails until lunchtime at 1:30 p.m.
The afternoons roll on with more work until 4:30 p.m. “After that, I might chat with a few coworkers,” she said. “Or go out if we’ve made plans… which doesn’t happen that often.”
“Yeah, it’s not super exciting,” she admitted. “Sometimes I miss the simple life, like how my mom used to just buy and sell. It was straightforward. But this job? It’s helping me grow. It’s a different kind of hustle.”
“I post videos” — Ingabire Phionah Mukono, Content Creator.
You’ve probably come across one of Phionah’s videos while scrolling online—bright, fun, full of personality. But behind the screen, there’s a lot more going on than most people realize.
“People think content creation is all fun and easy, but it’s way more than that. I plan my scripts, shoot, edit, post, and even reply to comments. It’s a whole job,” remarked Phionah.
Unlike the classic 9-to-5 routine, her day depends entirely on what she has lined up.
“I don’t really do early mornings. I usually start around 11 a.m.—that’s just what works best for me.”
However, that doesn’t mean her work is laid-back. She starts her day by prepping everything—her script, her outfit, even her poses. “I can’t just show up and ‘freestyle’,” she explains. “I need to know what I’m doing. Every detail matters.”
Some days begin with a meeting. Other days, she jumps straight into filming. “If it’s a talking video, I have to memorize my script. If it’s a photo shoot, then it’s all about the angle and making sure I dress to match the brand.”
Even when the camera sets off, Phionah’s work doesn’t end. At home, she sets up her laptop, and gets to editing, especially if the deadline is approaching.
“Yep, I do the editing too,” she said. “Especially when the client wants it fast. It can get hectic.” Nevertheless, it’s all worth it.
“One time, someone messaged me saying my video inspired her to start her own channel,” “That made everything—the late nights, stress fade.”
“Art is how I speak” — Nikita Heaven, Filmmaker & Musician.
For Nikita, art is a way of communicating with the world around her.
“Right now, I’m working in both film and music,” she shared. “But filmmaking takes up most of my time these days because I’m focused on growing in that industry. It’s not just a job for me—it’s an investment in my future.”
She sees film and music as two sides of the same coin, both storytelling mediums that allow her to express herself.
“They both tell stories in different ways. But filmmaking requires so much time and planning, so I have to talk to clients in advance to figure out how much time I’ll need for each project. That way, I can make sure to balance my time and still find moments for my music.”
It’s a tough balancing act, but Nikita makes it work.
“At this stage in my life, I’m still figuring out how to be flexible with both my art forms, without always depending on others or having to answer to a boss,” she admits.
So how does she manage it all?
“I barely sleep, to be honest,” she admits amidst laughter. “But coffee is my best friend! I always have a cup nearby to keep me going. I also have a morning routine that helps me stay grounded. I write everything down—journaling, planning, just processing everything I need to do to stay organized.”
Despite hardships, Nikita finds joy in blending both worlds of film and music.
“At the end of the day, I reflect on how my film and music journeys are coming together. I’m even working on my own visuals right now. It’s still a work in progress, but I can see it coming together! It’s been a learning curve, but I’m all in.”
