Business people across the City of Kigali defied the tradition of closing up their premises during Christmas and operated normally.

In previous years, the only businesses that operated during Christmas were pharmacies, supermarkets and restaurants. This Christmas, however, more businesses remained open.

The New Times found garages, hair salons, bookshops, hardware shops, clothes stores, forex bureaus and other businesses operating.   

Small and medium businesses around the city centre, Kisimenti, Nyamirambo, Nyabugogo, Remera and most other parts of the city remained open.

Their clients too seemed to shop around or seek services like they do on ordinary days.

Banks were closed for the day with most promising to resume operations today. 

Musa Mutangana, who runs a hardware store in Nyamirambo, said he opened because he is a Muslim.

"People are still around the city and some use this day to run errands they have been putting aside due to work schedules. The idea that Christmas is a day for relaxing and having fun is fading. People have also realised that January is costly, especially because of the back-to-school shopping preparations and fees involved,” Mutangana said.

Mutangana said business was  better than he thought it would be with numerous customers coming in.

Others used the day to prepare for the school term beginning in January, by shopping for school uniforms and books.

Moses Ndayisaba walked around the city with his teenage son in tow shopping for school requirements.

"With the work schedules some parents have, Christmas comes in handy to prepare children for the coming term. I choose to shop and fix my car, instead of relaxing at home the whole day,” Ndayisaba said.

Marie Ingabire, who runs a boutique in downtown Kigali, said she wanted to target last-minute shoppers and take advantage of the disposable income and the easy spending attitude people have during Christmas.

"I cannot close my business to have fun as January is financially straining. There is a lot of disposable income as people were paid early. I would rather take advantage of that than stay at home. Competition is also less since only half of us are working,” Ingabire said.