{"id":2000129502,"date":"2026-10-17T15:57:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T13:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000129502"},"modified":"2026-10-17T15:57:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T13:57:14","slug":"artrwanda-ubuhanzi-returns-for-fourth-edition-as-alumni-make-strides-in-the-creative-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/artrwanda-ubuhanzi-returns-for-fourth-edition-as-alumni-make-strides-in-the-creative-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi returns for fourth edition as alumni make strides in the creative industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest edition comes as participants in previous competitions continue to make their mark in various creative fields, including music, poetry, comedy, film and fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some have released albums and performed on international stages, while others have directed music videos for prominent artists or established businesses that create jobs for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Launched by Imbuto Foundation in 2018, ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents, develop their skills and explore opportunities in the creative industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through competitions, training and engagement with experienced professionals, participants have gained skills and opportunities to advance their careers and develop their projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their achievements also reflect their individual efforts, the businesses and initiatives they have established, and the partnerships they have built along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the fourth edition gets underway, IGIHE looks at some of the programme&#8217;s alumni and how they have developed their talents into careers and businesses, while contributing to Rwanda&#8217;s growing creative industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jean Chr\u00e9tien Munezero (MJC)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jean Chr\u00e9tien Munezero, popularly known as MJC, is among the talents who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That year, he won first place in the photography and video production category, receiving a cash prize of Rwf 1 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the competition, he continued to develop his talent, eventually founding Uniquo Creations in 2022, a company specialising in video production and editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Imbuto Foundation\u2019s 2024\/2025 report, MJC had produced more than 20 music videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the videos he has directed are Nibido by Christopher and Beauty on Fire by Bruce Melodie and Joeboy, which he worked on with Bahali Ruth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MJC is among the competition\u2019s alumni who have successfully turned their talent in video production and editing into a profession, working with artists and various organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/insaver_to_498683664_18370849927121548_58725635426219104_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129508\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Carine Maniraguha (Carine Poet)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carine Maniraguha, popularly known as Carine Poet, rose to prominence through poetry. In 2018, she won first place in the writing and poetry category of the ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the competition, she continued to develop her poetry career while also venturing into theatre, taking her work to audiences in Rwanda and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, Carine was among the cast members of the play <em>Gahugu Gato<\/em>, which was staged at the Festival d\u2019Avignon in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That same year, she participated in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, where she and Gad Tuyizere tied for second place in the literature category, sharing a prize of Rwf 10 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carine also runs Rangurura, a project that seeks to empower women and girls to make their voices heard through art and poetry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"847\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/umusizi-carine-yabonye-igihembo-cyumusizi-ubukora-abukunze.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129509\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fally Merci<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ndaruhutse Merci, popularly known as Fally Merci, is one of the comedians who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After gaining recognition through the competition, he continued pursuing comedy and later launched initiatives aimed at helping other comedians showcase their talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In March 2022, he founded Gen-Z Comedy, which initially operated from a tent at the ArtRwanda centre in Rugando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A March 2025 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicated that the initiative had helped more than 100 comedians develop their talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time, Gen-Z Comedy had six permanent employees and provided temporary employment to another 47 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In November 2025, Gen-Z Comedy signed an agreement with ZACU TV to broadcast its comedy shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fally Merci has expanded his career beyond performing comedy to establishing a platform that helps other talented individuals access opportunities in the creative industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"854\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/e06e9711-d5c4-4f4c-a646-0d88f209bd8c.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129510\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Boukuru<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christiane Uwase Bukuru, popularly known as Boukuru, is a singer who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She has built a name in music by blending soul and jazz with sounds rooted in Rwandan culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On September 6, 2024, Boukuru unveiled her debut album, <em>Gikundiro<\/em>, featuring 11 songs, during a concert held at Norrsken in Kigali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She was later selected to perform at the 2025 edition of the Sauti za Busara Festival, held in Zanzibar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That same year, Boukuru was named among the 10 finalists in the Prix D\u00e9couvertes RFI competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These milestones have helped her bring her music to audiences in Rwanda and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1250\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/000a1719-f40bf.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129511\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Makembe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ishimwe Michael, popularly known as Michael Makembe, is a singer, instrumentalist and music producer who participated in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makembe is known for exploring and preserving traditional musical sounds while blending them with contemporary music production techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through his project, Sounds of Rwanda, he has travelled to different parts of the country to record the voices of traditional singers and sounds produced by traditional musical instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, he composed music for Father\u2019s Day, a film by Kivu Ruhorahoza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has also contributed to music for theatre and dance productions, including umuko by Doroth\u00e9e Munyaneza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His works include Havumera Inka, Ikondera and Bagore Beza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makembe is among the artists demonstrating how traditional music can connect Rwanda\u2019s history and cultural heritage with contemporary artistic expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/michael_makeba_during_a_past_performance._the_artiste_will_perform_in_dakar_senegal_on_may_21__net_photo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129512\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Munezero Jean Vainqueur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Munezero Jean Vainqueur is a fashion designer and the founder of the fashion brand Maison Munezero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018 and continued developing his work in fashion design and garment production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2019, he showcased his designs at Rwanda Fashion Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, he was among six fashion designers who participated in the Austria\u2013Rwanda Fashion Connect event held at Expo 2020 in Dubai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, he took part in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, where his ready-to-wear clothing project earned him second place in the fashion category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Munezero continues to develop Maison Munezero while expanding his activities in the fashion industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tuyishime Anaclet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuyishime Anaclet is a fashion and accessories designer known for his project, Umuringa Fashion Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, he won first place in the fashion category of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His work focuses on creating shoes, bags and other accessories using leather and fabrics, combining these materials with his own creative ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, he once again distinguished himself at ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, winning first place in the fashion category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the competition, he presented a project focused on making shoes from recycled materials, giving previously used materials a new purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project demonstrates how creativity can contribute to business development while reducing waste that harms the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1250\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/gzylw4vxmaa5odx-819fd_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129513\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Musafiri James<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Musafiri James is a screenwriter and film director who participated in the second edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi, launched in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He completed the competition\u2019s training programme in December 2024, having gained skills that helped him further develop his talent in filmmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His work includes writing scripts for some of Rwanda\u2019s popular television series, including <em>City Maid<\/em> and <em>Indoto<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2024, he wrote and directed the film <em>Weaving Bonds<\/em>, which tells the story of a parent who gradually comes to understand the value of their child\u2019s talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, Musafiri was among the award winners in the film category at ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has continued to apply his experience in screenwriting and film directing, particularly in productions that explore people\u2019s lives and social experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The journeys of these artists demonstrate how creative talent can be turned into ventures that create jobs, support personal growth and contribute to preserving Rwandan culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their achievements also serve as an example for young people participating in the fourth edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi, showing that talent can become a source of growth and opportunity when supported by knowledge, dedication and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/insaver_to_652003613_17911913916346203_1545209883670615540_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000129514\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fourth edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi is underway, with a focus on promoting Rwandan arts and culture while helping young people turn their creative talents into careers and business opportunities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":2000129559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[151,69],"byline":[201],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000129502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","tag-editors-choice","tag-homehighlights","byline-rania-umutoni"],"bylines":[{"id":201,"name":"Rania Umutoni","slug":"rania-umutoni","description":"","image":{"id":2000122457,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.00.00-PM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 12.00.00 PM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":139}],"contributors":[{"id":201,"name":"Rania Umutoni","slug":"rania-umutoni","description":"","image":{"id":2000122457,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.00.00-PM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 12.00.00 PM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":139}],"featured_image":{"id":2000129559,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/mixcollage-16-oct-2026-05-24-pm-682.jpg","alt":"ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi returns for fourth edition as alumni make strides in the creative 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