Saturday wasn’t just another Umuganda day for the residents of Gasharu Cell, Kinyinya as local music stars descended on the locality in Gasabo District to take part in the monthly community work.

Excitement gripped residents as the 2015 Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS) contestants, along with Bralirwa and the East African Promoters staff, joined them to take part in the monthly exercise which takes place every last Saturday of the month.

It was a thrilling experience for the residents as they got to interact with their guests especially the artistes as they cleared overgrown bushes and weeds on a road and a water source.

The artistes and organisers of the annual music contest took off their glamorous accessories and grabbed work tools alongside compatriots in the area.

Earlier this month, the artistes took part in activities to support Genocide survivors as the country marked the 21 commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The residents could not hide their excitement.

"Umuganda is a valuable activity, it brings us together to develop ourselves by working on our roads, supporting the under-privileged,” said Jean Claude Twagirimana, one of the residentd, adding that it was thrilling to see the stars joining in the cause.

"I was particularly happy to see the likes of Knowless and Senderi who we only see on TV. Working with them was a very fulfilling thing,” Twagirimana said.

With a spade in his hands, Platini Nemeye of Dream Boys said Umuganda is an activity that brings people together to discuss and implement ideas for national benefit, while his colleague TMC, who was carrying a pick axe, said Umuganda has helped the people of Rwanda to overcome so many challenges at community and national level.

Knowless described Umuganda as a great cause for national development, adding that the exercise should be a daily instead of monthly event. "Umuganda has put Rwanda on the global map and should be part and parcel of our national psyche if we are to take this country to another level.”

Rapper Bulldog said Umuganda, a home-grown solution to development challenges, has greatly contributed to the development of the country and preservation of the environment.

Participants, as is customary after the Umuganda, gathered for a community discussion at the home of one Jeanne Uwimbabazi, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Her house, which was constructed with the support of the Genocide Survivors Assistance Fund (FARG), was renovated by Bralirwa after it had been damaged by rain.

They also shared free refreshments courtesy of the brewer.

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