Rwanda is experiencing great changes and has been hailed by many as an international model in social and economic development mainly because of its significant progress in poverty reduction, especially among the rural masses.

The country’s women-friendly policies have also seen many women try their hands in territories hitherto taken as a man’s domain, a move that led drastic women empowerment.

Christine Uwingabiye, 39, is one such local woman who has taken on the male-dominated business sector, making women economic empowerment a reality.

 The genesis

Uwingabiye has always been an innovative person; when she was about 12-years-old, she would sit in her bedroom and design ‘house plans’.

"I was always doing some ‘project’ or another at home using old stuff, including constructing dummy houses,” she says.

She adds that apart from drawing designs of houses and fabrics, she also loved decorating and painting as a little girl.

"I would draw pictures of clothes with ‘funny’ patterns. Also, whenever I attended wedding ceremonies with my mother where great pieces of art were displayed, I would always touch the paintings and watch the decorations with great admiration,” she reminisces of her formative days.

And that was to define her future as one of the big names in the local decor and design industry.

Uwingabiye has from those playful beginnings now built a Rwf10 million business, as a designer and retailer of ceremonial décor that specialises in traditional lifestyle and attire.

She has become acclaimed for her intricately coloured décor and other innovative designs and materials she uses in ceremonies like weddings.  "Design is about how we live and how that experience can be improved. As a designer, I help people live in a more colourful way,” she says.

Equipped with artistic hands and entrepreneurship skills, Uwingabiye has become the most acclaimed decorator in Rwamagana District.

Uwingabiye grew up in a Muslim-dominated area popularly known as Uswahilini in Rwamagana town.

"When I am decorating, I try to create a background for the best life one can have,” she explains.

"Making a captivated and happy environment is a noble venture. Good decoration leads to an environment that enhances sense of well-being, which inspires everyone.”

She notes that besides having creative talent, one must be innovative and able to interpret the needs and preferences of clients, which she notes "has not been easy”.

Uwingabiye says she joined the business after living as a housewife for 11 years, looking to earn her own money.

Housewife no more

Married at a tender age, the mother of four moved into a new house with her husband and decorated herself even though they had hired a designer.

"I never thought I would pursue my childhood dream...However, I got tired of sitting at home all day, and having to ask my husband to give me money whenever I needed anything. So, I decided to start a business and decoration is what naturally came as the best bet for me. I have never looked back since then,” Uwingabiye points out.

"The fact that I lack ‘sound’ formal education meant that my husband provided everything for the family…I couldn’t accept this anymore,” she says.

Because she was an active member of the society working with youth groups, she started saving the little money she got from seminars.

"I had saved Rwf150,000 by the end of the year, which I used to buy a piece of cloth (the national flag colours) to kickstart my venture in 2010.

"Later, I secured a loan Rwf2.5 million from Duterimbere Microfinance Bank to expand the enterprise,” she explains.

"I bought tents, traditional suits and a number of décor items. This work is hard because it is supposed to reflect a customer’s personality not mine,” she says.

"It was, however, a huge turning point in my life…I no longer depend on my husband. I actually contribute a lot into the family coffers; my husband is happy that I dared to dream big and live my dream.”