IN order to promote advocacy for the youth and contribute to their development, MTN Rwanda launched a new brand "better together”  that involves scouting for brand ambassadors and one brand icon who send messages of inspiration, motivation, integrity, and leadership.

The brand ambassadors are all high-flying youths. The current brand Icon is Atome while the brand ambassadors are Miraj, Mani Martin, Uncle Austin, Immaculet Babra Mugire and Jay Polly. For the uninitiated, The New Times provides details about each of the aforementioned.

Brand ambassadors

Jay Polly Real name: Joshua Tuyishime Polly, a.k.a Jay Polly.Profesion: Musician/painter  Awards: 2011 Salax Awards (Best Hip-hop Male Artiste), "Ijorory’urukundo” Music Awards (Best Hip-hop Artiste), PAM Awards nomination and Primus GumaGuma SuperStar contestant.Born in July 1988 in Gikondo, Kigali, Jay Polly is a renowned Hip-hip artiste and visual artist.He says, "My art conveys different messages. It predicts real situations that happen in the society and sends a message to the youth”.

MirajReal name: Sandra Umulisa alias Miraj. Profession: Rapper Date of Birth: March 15, 1991.

Miraj was among the first new breed of local hard-edged female MCs to hit the Hip-hop scene. "I loved music from childhood and I wasn’t shy to show it,” said Miraj.

Immaculet Barbra Mugire Profession: Musician At just 20 years of age, Mugire’s life is already taking an interesting turn.  She has been chosen to be Rwanda’s diva. "I was really interested in music since I was a little girl and I got the inspiration from my father,” says Barbra. "I wrote my first song when I was in Senior One. It doesn’t mean that when you’re a student, you can’t develop your talent. It’s possible to juggle many things, as longer as they’re important to your life”.

Uncle Austin Real name: Austin Tosh Luwano.Profession: Radio Presenter/ musician

Uncle Austin is an inspiring singer and KFM presenter."I was inspired by my music teacher. I used to admire her voice, and I thought to myself that someday, I would be like her, or even better than her,” said Austin. "We all have mentor and we should struggle hard to be better than them” Uncle Austin narrates a story for the youth”.

AtomeReal name: Diogene NtarindwaProfession: Actor/lawyer/scholarTheatrical honors: Rwanda 94 (Italy and Liège), Pieter De Buysser’s Du Pain pour les EcureilsPlaywright in Carte d’Identité in Rwanda, Burkino Faso, France, Djibouti, Switzerland and Canada.Atome was born in the neighboring Burundi but he obtained his Bachelor of Laws Degree at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) and, later followed his dream and went to Belgium, where he studied theatre.  "I try to engage myself in projects that are of high quality and those that depict dignity because I believe this attribute is the key to success,” said Atome. "People’s dreams can be achieved if they insist on measures to succeed,” Atome advises the youth.”

Mani Martin

Real name: Martin Maniraruta, better known by his stage name Mani Martin.Profession: Actor/musician Awards:  PAM Awards nomination as Rwandan Best Male Artiste 2007, Salax Music Awards Best Male Gospel Artiste 2008 and Youngest performer FESPAD 2006.

The 24-year old was born in the Western Province of Rwanda, where he also attended his primary education."I was largely inspired by artistes such as Cécile Kayirebwa to love Rwandese music and soon, it became my style of music.”

 "I had already recorded 12 gospel singles at the age of 11. His parting shot is: "Age should never limit you from reaching out for your dreams.”