I arrived at Gisimenti weekend car-free zone at 7pm on a Friday evening. Previously, it would have been very difficult for me to move around due to the mass number of people who go there expecting to end the week on a high note. But this time, I could easily count the number of people seated outside the numerous restaurants and bars here. Yes, there was music, but not as much or as varied as the last time I was there in July this year. The weather was ideal for a party, but the atmosphere was dull. If you have been to Gisimenti before, you'd agree with me that seeing people calmly seated down is rather unusual here. What happened to Kigali’s most vibrant weekend-only car free zone, one may wonder. The KG 18 Avenue street in Gisimenti, which the City of Kigali (CoK) designated early this year to allow bars and eateries to expand their outdoor seating areas to accommodate more revelers and make it a car-free zone on weekends, quickly became Kigali's most entertainment spot. As opposed to the other car free zones, Biryogo known for its green tea, chapati and brochette (meat on a stick) and Imbuga City Walk, Kigali’s Central Business District, this was the only place where alcohol could be served along with good loud music among other things. The place quickly drew people of all ages and became arguably the best location for businesses at the time. After 7 p.m, it was nearly impossible to find a parking spot. People even joked that the CoK would have to expand due to its popularity. Gisimenti car free zone hosted the People's Festival during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June. It was the right place for foreigners and Kigalians themselves to get a glimpse of a well packaged Kigali nightlife, with the most popular artists convening, the DJs promising a good time, and the people who wanted a bit of rest from the meetings they had during the day. While Kigalians were trying to make the most of it, and rightfully so, after nearly two years of restrictions on public entertainment, some people began criticizing the place. Or rather , some claimed 'inappropriate' activities were taking place, nicknaming the previously beloved venue 'Satan's den.' Memes demonizing the place went viral. Videos were shared on social media demonstrating how people were misbehaving in contravention of 'Rwandan' culture in the name of having fun. Following various incidents, some of which involved police arresting people for public indecency and public drunkenness, Gisimenti's popularity dwindled as quickly as it had risen. Gisimenti had become the subject of all bad jokes on every social media, said Dan Uwe, a Kigali resident. “With the trending videos of drunk and strangely dancing people, no one would have wanted to be recorded there, even if mistakenly. My friends and I stopped going there because of how judgmental everyone had suddenly become, he said. While some, like Uwe, were afraid to be associated with the place for fear of being judged, many businesses had opened at the avenue, taking advantage of the area's previous popularity. When we saw how many people were coming to this place, we saw it as a business opportunity, Christelle Kampire, who works at Zabou Liquor store, said. “But now the business is in peril. We only rely on passing customers at liquor stores, she added. According to Marie-Solange Muhirwa, Chief of Urban Planning at CoK, the critics of the place could be part but not the only reason why businesses are not having as many clients as before. She suggested that the decrease in clientele could be due to increased competition and inefficient management. Muhirwa also revealed that CoK is exploring ways of handing over Gisimenti to new able management. PSF Remera (Private Sector Federation) is currently in charge. CoK entered into a collaboration with RG Consult Inc Ltd in order to revitalize the area. From November 20 to December 18, the latter will showcase the upcoming World Cup 2022 games at Kigali's three Car Free Zones. A view of the venue in February 2022, just one week after inaugurating the place
