In its expansion drive, one of Tanzania’s leading film distribution companies, Steps Entertainment Ltd, has opened an office in Kigali.

Apart from distributing movies, Steps Entertainment also sponsors movie production.

The company’s Marketing Executive, Ignatus D Kambarage, said that the move that will see other branches open in Kenya, Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aims at working directly with filmmakers from other countries.

"In Tanzania, people were used to watching Nigerian movies, but they have resulted to watching our home products and this can also happen in Rwanda,” Kambarage said.

He explained that as the company joins the regional market, measures would be taken to ensure that Rwandan filmmakers benefit from the industry.

"I have moved around Kigali City and identified that the business is heavily being affected by piracy,” he said.

Kambarage promised to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders to create awareness and protect the copyrights of the artists.

Flanked by Shamu Nzayinambaho, the representative of Steps Entertainment Ltd in Rwanda, Kambarage announced that the company would also help upcoming film and music stars to develop their talents.

"We have already identified young talented actors and actresses to work with and more should join,” Nzayinambaho said.

Ndjoli Kayitankore, a local actor known by his stage name Kanyombya, appreciated the move, saying it will promote the Rwandan entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian newspaper Daily News dated 20 August 2011, reported that the government of Tanzania had promised to put Steps Entertainment under close scrutiny following claims that the firm's operation was undermining the prosperity of local artists.

Steps Entertainment Ltd launched its operations in 2005.

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