Rwanda’s showbiz is currently filled with a lot of controversies and thrilling events which are keeping entertainment watchers alarmed.
The just-ended week leaves local vlogger Jean Bosco Sengabo alias Fatakumavuta behind the bars after Kicukiro Primary Court denied him bail while the same court handed a three-month suspended sentence to Miss Rwanda 2022, Divine Nshuti Muheto, in a case related to drunk driving.
It was, on the other side, a weekend of celebrations as a hot of local filmmakers bagged awards at the 10th edition of Mashariki African Film Festival [MAAF] which concluded in Kigali on Saturday, November 9.
The New Times picks more stories that made headlines over the week.
Miss Muheto gets three-month suspended sentence
Miss Rwanda 2022, who still holds the crown, was last week handed a three-month suspended sentence in a case related to drunk driving and was also slapped with a Rwf190,000 fine after the Kicukiro Primary Court founder the beauty queen guilty of charges related to drunk driving.
Muheto, 20, was arrested in the wee hours of October 24, on her way from am bar located in Kicukiro District, City of Kigali, heading home to Kimironko where she resides.
Local filmmakers bag awards at 10th MAFF
Rwanda’s finest filmmakers were on Saturday, November 9, celebrated with a number of accolades during the awarding ceremony which brought the 10th edition of Mashariki Film Festival to a close.
The filmmakers were recognized under the festival’s special category dubbed ‘Iziwacu.’
Renowned actor Yannick Nshimirimana popularly known as Killaman bagged the Best Actor Award (web), while Vanessa Iradukunda walked away with the Best Actress (web) award.
Willy Ndahiro was acknowledged with a Best Male Lifetime Achievement Award. The same award in women’s category went to Antoinette Uwamahoro.
Other top actors and actresses including the likes of Clapton Kibonke and Gratien Niyitegeka also scooped awards in various categories in an evening that celebrated the progress of Rwanda film industry.
Element snubbed for Grammy Award nominations
Rwandan singer and producer Fred Robinson Mugisha, also known by stage name as Element Eleéeh, was not considered on the nomination list of the prestigious 67th GRAMMY Awards.
The youngster had submitted his song "Milele” for consideration in the Best African Music Performance/Producer category when the Grammy’s organisers, Recording Academy, called for nominations in September.
However, his song did not make it to the final list of nominations announced on Friday, November 8.
Meanwhile, musician Beyoncé overtook her husband Jay-Z as the most Grammy nominated artist of all time in the Grammy Awards.
Beating Jay-Z&039;s record of 88 nominations, Beyoncé has a whopping 99 nods under her belt, thanks to her first country album "Cowboy Carter," released last spring, which earned her 11 nominations, putting her in the lead of all other artists competing this year.
The 67th Grammy award ceremony will take place on February 2 in Los Angeles.
Anne Kansime, Mammito perform in Kigali
Uganda’s Anne Kansiime and Kenya’s Mammito were among comedians who entertained hundreds of young people who are attending the seventh edition Youth Connekt Africa Summit in Kigali.
The duo joined the likes of Rwanda’s own Rusine, Babu, and Herve Kimenyi at Kigali Convention Centre for the comedy show which attracted youth, leaders, and innovators from across Africa under the theme, "Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling.”
The event brought together over 3,000 delegates from across Africa, including entrepreneurs, leaders, innovators, artists, and students.
Fatakumavuta denied bail
The Kicukiro Primary Court in Kigali last week ordered a 30-day remand for vlogger Jean Bosco Sengabo, commonly known as Fatakumavuta, pending trial in substance on multiple charges related to his online content.
The 37-year-old radio presenter faces six charges including spreading false information, defamation, drug abuse, and issuing cyber threats.
The prosecution said that several public figures, including musicians Benjamin Mugisha (The Ben) and Medard Jobert Ngabo (Meddy), as well as music promoter Alex Muyoboke, filed complaints with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), accusing Sengabo of spreading false information about them and publicizing their private lives.
RIB summoned the vlogger on multiple occasions and warned him about his alleged offenses but he ignored the warnings leading to his eventual arrest.
However, in his defense, he denied all charges and insisted that his content is factual. He also denied using drugs and requested independent re-testing after questioning the first tests.
It remains to be seen whether Fatakumavuta has appealed against the court decision.