Stakeholders in the events industry such as wedding planners, chefs, bakers, among others have cited slow economic activity within the sector based on the few orders received. While the services in the sector were allowed to resume following the August 11 Cabinet meeting, the players say that business is yet to pick up. While events such as weddings were given a green light, without exceeding the set attendants limit based on the venue capacity, a number of stakeholders said that business has been slow to resume in recent weeks. Claude Nkundimana, the Chief Executive of Correct Service which offers buffet service, protocol, photography, and cakes at events and conferences, said that orders have significantly dropped as compared to those they used to have before. “With the exception of prior bookings that had been postponed, we don’t have many new orders and it’s not particular to us, even others who offer the same services have been telling the same,” he said. Perpetua Kunda, who is involved in the events bookings said that they were however prepared to commence providing their services. “I was excited when they granted us permission to work again, it had been so long and this is my only source of income” she said. “The last time, people who had booked these services experienced a great loss when they were abruptly closed again. Others went on and did their weddings without these services and it was successful. There’s still fear of uncertainties of whether they might close again” shared Angeline Dusabe, whose sister recently got married under the same conditions. “I think people who provide these services should be a little bit patient, give people time to plan and maybe place their orders” suggests Roger Nizeyimana, a bus driver in Kigali. “The fact that some people are not yet back to while others have lost their incomes completely might also be contributing to this collective loss” he added. Patrick Kabiligi, baker at Correct Service, however, had an idea of expanding his baking operation after seeing how weddings cakes were no longer having a big clientele for him. “I learned how to bake cupcakes, donuts (etc) and also decorating birthday cakes. At least for them, they didn’t lose big market in these time” he shared.
