TWENTY YEARS after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, has made a commendable effort to lose its reputation as the ‘boring city’ among revelers. In the past years, night dwellers would frown at the fact that there weren’t that many places to go and loosen up. However, all that has changed and today,

Kigali boasts of endless hangout  spots that include bars, casinos, movie theatres and so much more. Night life in Kigali beams with gusto as revelers from all walks of life party hard all night long.

For a long time, Kigali’s major appeal was associated with the brutal events of 1994 . Most visitors would just pass through the city en route to the country’s attractions like the Akagera Savanna, the ancient Nyungwe jungle and the gorilla-rich Volcanoes National Park. If people stopped at all, it was usually to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is regarded as one of the best museums in Africa.

Kigali has slowly but surely blossomed into ‘the city you just have to visit to sample what it has to offer in entertainment.

Emerging from a dark period, it is totally understandable that most people were simply too devastated to even think about having fun. The city was dull and many places were simply dining venues and nothing more.

Soccer was big and probably the only thing that brought people together for fun. The Kigali Memorial Site was a tourist attraction. Music concerts were as extraordinary as a nun with dreadlocks, save for the occasional traditional dance performances that people watched at wedding ceremonies and festivities such as the Pan-African Dance Festival (FESPAD). 

But things have since changed. We are now spoiled for choice. The list is not conclusive but here are some of the most popular trends that keep ‘Kigalians’ vibrant as the entertainment industry flourishes.

Music competitions

Gone are the days when musicians used motorcycles and taxis as the only means of transport. The industry has since grown and musicians are making good money that enables them to live a decent lifestyle. Most musicians have since gone international doing collabos with established artistes in the region and beyond. They are constantly invited to perform in Europe and some of them have their songs playing on international channels. 

Primus Guma Guma Super Star music competitions command a big following annually and it is currently making people to walk miles to catch a glimpse of their favourite artistes. The annual competition tours the country and the mammoth crowd in attendance is testament to its impact. With Rwf 24 million at stake, you can bet on only great performances. 

Karaoke

Karaoke has taken over Kigali night life. It is a fun activity even for those who can’t sing to save their life. In Kigali alone, there are karaoke sessions at Rosty’s, Hotel des Mille Collines, Car Wash, Micha’s Bistro Café, Hotel Okapi and the Grill & Barbeque in Kacyiru, among many others. It seems like an overkill to attend all the shows within the same week because one is almost as good as the other. 

Kwita Izina  

The event that is akin to the famous Royal Ascot Goat races sees international celebrities and personalities line up to give names to baby gorillas. This big tourism income generating activity sees all roads leading to Musanze in the month of June or early July and has quite a number of entertainment performances from local and international musicians. The extravaganza that follows the main ceremony is a once in a lifetime event that has become a permanent fixture on the social calendar

Film festivals

Happening once a year and the force behind Rwanda’s growing film industry, Rwanda film industry, also known as Hillywood, travels across the country showing locally produced films by young talented movie actors, actresses and producers. The event takes place in July and screens films in open places. 

Audio, visual entertainment     

There was a time when people who couldn’t afford DSTV had to be content with Rwanda television and for radio lovers, the option was Radio Rwanda. There was a period when Radio Rwanda opened a sister radio, Channel one, that worked only over the weekend and in the afternoon. 

That short period was a big relief but it was short lived. The station closed shop and we were back to square one. Voice of America came to the rescue and since then the country has seen the number of FM stations grow to over 24 stations and whereas the number of TV stations is now at six with Igihe streaming online 

Over time, people have gotten accustomed to the growing number of radio and TV stations. Star Times has equally simplified the situation by launching low-income satellite TV services. Movie and series lovers have generously supported movie sellers. And for cinema lovers, Century Cinema is the answer. The experience of watching movies in 3D and 5D has generated a buzz in the city.

 Music concerts

Which society would be complete without music concerts? I guess none. Steadily over the years, the number of concerts has grown and has seen regional artistes come to perform in Kigali. Ugandan musicians Jose Chameleon, Bebe Cool, Ragga Dee, Kenyan music star Wyre, South African music icon Brenda Fassie, Jamaican stars Sean Kingstone, Bennie Man and American RnB crooner Jason Derulo among others are some of the stars that have had concerts in Rwanda. 

Art galleries 

What used to be frowned upon as a lousy profession has turned out to be a huge income generating activity through painting, exhibiting and selling art pieces and also a source of leisure and enterinment? The best show case of Rwandan art and culture can be found at the Arts Museum at Rwesero. Rarely does a weekend pass in Kigali without an art event; art galleries are also on the rise. They include, but are not limited to, Inema Arts Centre, Inshyo Arts Centre, City Arts and Ivuka Arts Centre. 

Fashion

Just ten years ago, there were no fashion shows, no models and no local designers. Fast forward to 2014, one can be sure to find several fashion houses; Inzuki Designs, House of Marion, Christine Creative Collections, Rupari Agency, House of Marion, Rwanda Clothing Home, INCO/ICYUSA Fashion House and Alga fashion house among others. Equally, this has given rise to the number of modeling agencies. In recent years we have seen Dadmax modeling agency, Premier Model agency and Amarante among others. And the Rwanda Fashion Week is the icing on the cake. 

Comedy

Comedy is among the latest trends to invade Kigali. Just four years old, the comedy industry is steadily growing and people are enjoying hearty laughs. Comedy Knights opened the doors in October 2012. The group that is made up of Arthur Nkusi, Jerome Mugisha and Michael Sengazi among others has since grown and has held numerous shows including The Comedy Night in 3D show, Mr. Checked News show, and Comedy night show among others. 

Kigali has seen other comedians come to perform at the famed "Kings of Komedy” that featured Anne Kansiime and Patrick Idringi, aka Salvador from Uganda, Rwanda’s David Ndahiro, Kenya’s Eric Omondi, OMG from Nigeria and the emcee-turned-comedian Renee Nsengiyumva. Other comedians to perform in Rwanda include Eric Muhangi, Naboth Fisher a.k.a Museveni, and Fred Omondi. 

Beauty pageants 

They are probably the most popular of social events in Rwanda. Although marred by controversy, the Miss Rwanda search ranks high up on the social calendar in the country. However some people have condemned them as an immoral event; contestants have failed to bend the rules in the name of culture whereas others are still dying to win the coveted title. Universities have jumped on the bandwagon too, College of Business College of Business and Economics (CBE), National University of Rwanda (NUR), Kigali Independent University, Mount Kenya University among others.