The PAM Awards 2008, programme that kicked off on May 31, with regional launches around the host country, Uganda, has now moved to the next stage involving other participating members in the region.

These are, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi - with Rwanda as the last destination.

Now in its third consecutive year in Rwanda, the Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards, are coming to Kigali next to the Karisimbi Centenary Park and Bar Restaurant, on Wednesday the 23rd July.

"We recognize that there are aspiring artists out there waiting to be discovered. Plans are still in the pipeline to move from doing one event to more events like those that we are doing in Uganda.

We have not been able to do this before because we did not have a major sponsor for the event regionally,” explains Isaac Melinda, the Organising Committee Chairman, in an interview with The New Times.

PAM Awards is now negotiating a deal with a potential sponsor that will see the event grow from one function (regional launch) to upcountry events to provide an opportunity for all upcoming artists in the country an opportunity for support.

"More events in the country will increase the chances of local artists to showcase their talent and grow,”

This year, PAM Awards will also cross to the neighbouring country, Burundi in a bid to expand the event to the whole of Africa.

The PAM Awards are a tribute to local musicians in an appreciation of their art and talent.

"We are committed to promoting and building both artists and the music industry in the country in general though we don’t have yet a major sponsor of the event from Rwanda,” Mulindwa said.

Meanwhile winners of last year’s PAM Awards in Rwanda have a reason to smile, as for the delayed prize money; it will be cashed soon according to the Organising Committee.
Each PAM Award accolade comes with a cash prize of 500 US dollars. "By the time we have our regional launch in Kigali next week, winning artists will have received their money,” Mulindwa explained.

After the regional launch in Kigali, music fans will begin nominating local artists to participate in the final competition to be held on the 1st of November, at the Lugogo Cricket Oval grounds.

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