Angel Uwamahoro burst onto the Rwandan entertainment scene when she joined Mashirika Performing Arts, a popular contemporary acting troupe.

The 21- year-old is one of the most established young actresses in the country and she always wanted to act. Through acting, Uwamahoro has become one of the most recognisable faces on the Rwandan entertainment scene—having performed in various countries, especially in Europe.

The New Times’s Linda Mbabazi captured Uwamahoro’s profile; below are the excerpts.

TNT: Briefly who is Angel Uwamahoro?

Uwamahoro: I am a 21-year-old, female Rwandan, who enjoys acting, dancing and singing. I am outgoing, optimistic and energetic.

TNT: What are you up to of late?

Uwamahoro: At the moment, I am in Brussels performing in a play called "Le Bruit Des Os Qui Craquent”, written by Suzanne Le Beau and directed by Roland Mahauden.
The play is about child soldiers and the hardships they experience. It is a very moving play, and I am glad to be part of it because for me, it is not just acting — I feel like I am doing something to help these children by telling and showing the world-(through my God given talent) what they are going through and calling upon all my audiences to stand up as one and help stop the atrocities these children face.

TNT: We have learned that you are set to star with some of Europe’s renowned actors Diane Krugger and Dany Boon, what are you exactly going to be involved in?

Uwamahoro: Yes! What happened is while I was here[ in Belgium] one of the actresses I work with, Aiisatou, brought it to my attention that there were castings taking place for a movie staring Danny Boon and Diane Krugger.
We all went for the casting- they were looking for a young black lady to act as an air hostess on Kenya Airways. A week later, I got a call confirming it was me who got the role. It’s a small role but I am still super excited about it.

TNT: What are your future prospects now that you have taken your acting skills beyond Rwanda, where are your eyes set?

Uwamahoro: As far as future plans go, I am hoping to start university next year in January back home. Yes, I plan to continue working in the arts at the same time but really home is the place to be.
I can always go out of the country for jobs, extra trainings but I feel as an up-coming artist, Rwanda is the place to be, because there so many people coming to Rwanda who want to invest in new talent and I want to make sure I am there to find when they come looking.

TNT: Where do you see your acting career in the next five to 20 years?

Uwamahoro: In the next five years...I would like to see myself in at least three more international movies...with bigger role.

And in the next 20 years... I hope to have built my own theatre and have a theatre performing arts school in Rwanda- in partnership with Mashirika Performing Arts because it’s Mashirika that has nurtured me to be the actress I am today.

TNT: What inspired you to join the arts industry and what would you advise young persons, who would like to pursue your career?

Uwamahoro: I was born an artist. My mother is an interior designer; both my uncles love to draw. My aunties loved dancing and my grandmother too. So I grew up in an artistic family so I guess it’s safe to say my family is what inspired me to join the arts industry.

My advice to young people, who would like to pursue my career, is that honesty is the key to everything. Once you are true to yourself and your art, then you become original. And that is what people are looking for- originality not copies of the original.

TNT: What challenges do you face as an actress?

Uwamahoro: There are always challenges, in different aspects and on so many levels but I like challenges. They have made me stronger and they have made me who I am today and, who I will be in the future.

TNT: Do you see yourself hitting Hollywood one day?

Uwamahoro: In my dreams, yes!

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