Hundreds of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda thronged Liberty Christian Fellowship in Camberwell, South East London to witness the launch of the first Kinyarwanda gospel album in the UK.

The CD entitled "Mfite Umukunzi” (I have a friend) and a DVD "Akira Mwami” (Receive Lord), are both a brainchild of a Rwandan lady Jackline Mugabo.

In her testimony, Mugabo said she loves to sing for the Lord and she had wanted to produce an album for a very long time but lacked guidance.

"15 years ago in Uganda, a pastor prophesied to me that ‘you girl you are going to sing for God and travel the world,” Mugabo told the audience.

"I’m happy that this prophecy has been fulfilled after this long” she added.

Jackline leads the choir of Irembo Ry’ibyiringiro (the Gates of Hope), a Kinyarwanda fellowship at Liberty Christian Fellowship. 

Irembo Ry’ibyiringiro leader Pastor Joy Guma Byabagamba said she was very proud of Jackline, adding that this is a challenge to other Rwandans to bring out their talents.

Pastor Lincoln Serwanga, the Senior Pastor of Liberty Christian Fellowship said that he was particularly impressed by Jackline’s voice and the mixing of religious music with Kinyarwanda traditional dance.

"The nation of Rwanda has emerged out of a tragic Genocide to be the shining light of Africa,” said Pastor Serwanga.

He commended the Rwandan government for the fight against corruption, calling it a cancer that other African governments have failed to uproot.

Representing the Rwandan Ambassador to UK, first Counsellor Linda Kalimba Gihana said the Rwandan Embassy supports Rwandans in Diaspora to promote Rwandan culture through creative arts.

"Jackline’s achievement is a testimony that Rwandan women wherever they are have been emancipated,” says Gihana.

"The Rwandan government supports women emancipation and has set up policies to ensure that this happens in reality.”

Jackline’s album was supported by other East African artistes including Ugandan gospel sensation Fiona Mukasa, Paul Ntwatwa, and Gracious Band.

Ends