Diva Music Awards come to Rwanda

RWANDAN female artistes have a reason to smile after Diva, a Ugandan entertainment company that recognises best female musicians, opens shop in Rwanda.

Friday, November 23, 2012
A Rwandan dance troupe at last yearu2019s Diva gala. Net photo.

RWANDAN female artistes have a reason to smile after Diva, a Ugandan entertainment company that recognises best female musicians, opens shop in Rwanda.The company, operational for the last four years, has awarded outstanding female musicians in Uganda and Kenya."We realised that female musicians in Rwanda are working so hard to get to regional and international market, so we want to encourage them through recognising them,” said Richard Kagwa Kalule, the CEO, Diva.He explained that identifying those who will be awarded will be done in a fair and open way with the help of various stakeholders. "Empowering female musicians can help influence society for the better,” he said. The organization will mobilise all the winning divas in a way to support disadvantaged children under the theme, "Divas for children”, he added.The exercise to select those who will be awarded is ongoing and efforts are being made to identify the people who deserve recognition, he added. Kalule, also head of Diva Awards Afrika, which awards the exemplary women in their respective economic and development activities, said that bringing his company’s activities to Rwanda will also help promote young talents. "There are many young talented musicians out there who have used every possible means to get where they are today, despite many hurdles,” he said. Beyond musicians, Diva Award Afrika will also award women who have demonstrated efforts in various economic and development activities.Proceeds from these concerts will go to several orphanages and children living with HIV/Aids. Also to be recognized are outstanding women in business, ICT, theatre and fashion, sports, among others. Women actively involved with civil society advocacy also stand a chance, according to organisers.In Uganda, Diva has recognised several female musicians including Desire Ruzinda, Irine Namubiru, Halimana Namakula and Angela Katatumba.Last year, Uganda`s Minister of Trade and Industry, Amelia Kyambade, and female national rally champion Susan Muwonge, were also recognized as divas in their respective fields.