Focus: An all purpose neighbourhood

Ever thought of a place in Kigali where you could get all you need for that bachelor life you lead? Giporoso is that place. Located along the road to the airport, Giporoso is an ideal place for getting whatever stuff you need, if you are the kind of person who leads a fast life. This is the case at least according to Herbert Manzi, 24, a student at the Kigali Institute of Education and part time Intenet Café attendant. Manzi says that he has been working in an internet café for the last one year in Giporoso. He believes it is the best place to hang out for most especially young people who may not be “loaded enough” to hang out in posh places like MTN center and other like places. He explains “here you can have cheap beer after work in the evenings and more importantly there are many pork joints to accompany the beer.” His friend Bryan, who works in a nearby hair saloon, concurs; “One of the things I value most as someone without a family is cheap food,” he adds, “and in this place, it is abundant and well prepared”. Bryan says this is the reason he prefers to live nearby in Kabeza which is a “walk able” distance. Apart from having several shops and super or mini markets, Giporoso, is a busy place that many youngsters call a “happening joint”. With several small bars that sell many “tribes” of beer and liquors, those who love getting tipsy at a relatively cheap price, retire to the neighborhood in the evenings. However, for all its attractiveness, the place is said to have a not so good reputation. Manzi says that he has had rumors that the place sometimes witnesses drunken fights. But he adds that this is expected of a place with a high concentration of “watering joints”. Many of these small bars play loud music, which only competes with the Congolese music played on loudspeakers in hair saloons that are located all over the place. Though there are mainly small bars, there are several bars, restaurants and Hotels that may be rated as “high class”. These include “Hill Top Country Club”, Airport View Hotel among others. The presence of a taxi park also makes the neighborhood very busy. Many people pass through Giporoso in the rush hours of the morning and evenings. So if you are into having fun at a relatively cheap cost, this is the place to be. Contact: frank2kagabo@yahoo.com