Mani Martin for Bayimba International Festival

As one of Rwanda’s finest live performing acts identified with Afro Soul mixed with traditional music, Mani Martin has graced local and international music festivals. The singer is now in Uganda, where he is representing Rwanda at the 6th edition of Bayimba International Festival of the Arts. He is the only Rwandan artiste who was invited to participate in the three-day event, which ends tomorrow.The festival at the National Theatre in the city centre of Kampala, features over 300 artistes and over 60 performances. Other acts on the programme include art exhibitions, film, fashion and the ever popular Silent Disco.Speaking to The New Times from Uganda, Mani Martin said that the event is a platform for him to meet and share experience with other artistes from different Africa countries. “I am grateful to be part of the event because this is an event which attracts different artistes from Africa. It will give me chance to know where change is needed in my music and to promote the Rwandan music beyond boarders,” he said.Other acts gracing this year’s festival include Shazi Kool (Bujumbura, Burundi), Leo Mkanyia (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) and Ante Neo Soul (Nairobi, Kenya) from East Africa. Others are Kouyate and Neeman (Paris, France), Nehoreka (Harare, Zimbabwe), KayGizm (Johannesburg, South Africa), Maria Bragança (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and Mr. Poa (DR Congo).Bayimba International Festival of Arts is one of Uganda’s premier art festivals. Since its first edition in 2008, a wide variety of known and upcoming artistes from East Africa and beyond have performed at different stages of the Bayimba International Festival of the Arts. Born on December 24, 1988, Mani Martin, real name Martin Maniraruta, is a singer, songwriter and entertainer. He started recording at the age of 12.

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Mani Martin for Bayimba International Festival