Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe has urged gospel music star Israel Mbonyi to consider the 45,000-seat Amahoro stadium for his next highly anticipated Icyambu Live concert.

The Minister brought the idea on his X handle, shortly after the musician announced the third edition of his annual Christmas show on December 25.

"It’s happening again on December 25 – Icyambu Season 3 is coming,” Mbonyi posted on his social media on Sunday, October 27, noting, "I am a living testimony, and in a few days, we’ll announce more concert details. This time, we have 10,000 seats at BK Arena, which might even surpass that. God has allowed it; let’s do it again.”

Mbonyi sold out his previous two shows, both held at BK Arena on December 25, in 2022 and 2023 and, as he gears up for the 2024 edition at the same venue, Nduhungirehe thinks it is becoming too small to host thousands of his fans, hence proposing him to shift it to Amahoro Stadium which is way bigger.

"I would highly recommend taking your concert to Amahoro Stadium. BK Arena is no longer able to accommodate all your fans, including Christians and non-Christians!” Nduhungirehe posted on X, commenting on Mbonyi’s announcement about his upcoming Icyambu concert.

The Minister’s comment was welcomed by many gospel music enthusiasts who also want Mbonyi to rock the recently renovated ultra-modern facility, saying that he is the only local act that can fill the stadium.

"Indeed, the minister is telling the truth. Last year we were very crowded. Your advice is awesome,” a user under the names of Bless Ndikumana commented on the post.

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Amahoro Stadium is a multi-purpose facility which is among the biggest modern stadiums on the African continent.

Mbonyi taking his concert to Amahoro stadium would make him the first artiste to have a one-man show at the facility since it was refurbished. However, the artiste has not yet replied or commented on the Nduhungirehe’s request nor did he respond when The New Times reached out for a comment about the proposal.

Dubbed Icyambu season 3, the live concert will be Mbonyi’s third Christmas show in Kigali since 2022.

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Born Israel Mbonyicyambu, Israel Mbonyi has established arguably as Rwanda’s finest gospel musician of his generation.

He is already having a good year during which he produced timeless hits that dominated East African charts and earned him big shows around the region.

In the month of August alone, the 32-year-old artiste headlined three major shows in Kenya and Uganda, drawing tens of thousands of revelers to some of the biggest venues in the two neighbouring countries.

His maiden Kenya concert at Ulinzi Sports Complex on August 10, attracted big crowds that included politicians, religious leaders and celebrities, a few days before heading to Uganda for a musical tour that kicked off at Millenial Grounds (formerly KCCA Grounds) on August 23, and stopped in Mbarara at the University Inn grounds on August 25.

Before Icyambu season 3, Mbonyi will first headline two shows in Tanzania at Mlimani City and Leaders Club.