Doriane Kundwa off to Canada

It looks like the sky is the limit for former Miss Rwanda, Doriane Kundwa.  Word reaching our desk is that Kundwa is heading to Canada for further studies at Laval University of Québec. Kundwa’s departure comes just a few days after Balbine Umutoni, a former two-time Miss Rwanda contestant, left for further studies in Canada too.

The beauty queen joins other former Miss Rwanda winners who are no longer living in the country; they include Grace Bahati (Miss Rwanda 2009), Aurore Mutesi (Miss Rwanda 2012) and Colombe Akiwacu (Miss Rwanda 2014). We wish her the best. 

Singer Gahongayire lets cat out of the bag

After an on-and-off relationship between female gospel artiste Aline Gahongayire and her husband Gabriel Gahima, word on the street is that the two permanently parted ways and the singer is now back in the singles-lane. She is said to have officially announced it during a radio interview on Voice of America (VOA) in the US. Gahongayire, who has been on music tour in the US, said she separated with her husband, but didn’t reveal reasons as to why.

A couple of months ago, several local media platforms announced that the two had separated but she refuted the rumours.  So, what next for the gospel singer? We shall keep you posted.

Jack-B falls ‘sick’ on stage

Popularly known for songs like Sinakureka and Umwanzuro, local R&B and hip hop singer Jack B, real name, Jacques Rugamba, has been off the music radar for quite some time now. The gossip reaching us is that the artiste has been performing at small drinking spots around the city.

According to snoops, during a recent performance at Zaga Night Club in Kimisagara, the artiste did the unthinkable, leaving revellers shocked to the core. When he took the microphone to start singing, the effects of drinking a little too much took a toll, causing him to throw up.  The artiste apparently then told the audience that he was being ‘bewitched’ but it was clear to everyone that he was simply drunk. This just goes to show that the unprofessionalism coming from some artistes is clearly hindering the industry’s growth.  We hope he recovered.

Kansiime nominated for BEFFTA Award

Ugandan comedy sensation, Anne Kansiime, has once again been nominated for the BEFFTA’s in the category of the best female comedian of the year - the same award she won back in 2013.

Ecstatic beyond measure, Anne shared the news with her fans on her social media page,

"I have been nominated BEFFTA 2016 Best Female Comedian,” she said before going on to add, ‘This is my 3rd nomination in the same category in a row.  We scooped the award on our first nomination in 2013.”

BEFFTA awards is a distinctly special awards ceremony honoring the best showbiz and entertainment personalities in the black and ethnic communities in the UK, USA, Africa, Caribbean, Canada and globally.

The voting will officially begin on Monday 12 September. Apart from kansiime, Eddy Kenzo and Grajoh Entertainment are the other Ugandans that have been nominated for best international male African act and best events promoter respectively.

Local artistes desperate for collabo with Wizkid

Nigerian singer Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, staged an epic performance at the Mutzig Beer Fest in Kigali last month. As we reported, the star wasn’t interested in any collaboration with local artistes.

Word reaching our desk is that Primus Guma Guma Super Star 6 winners, Urban Boyz, tried to have a collabo with the star but to no avail. Sources say that the group’s manager fought tooth and nail and even had talks with Wizkid’s management, but apparently, the decision was to be made by the man himself. 

The trio, along with their manager Richard, spent more than an hour at Marriot Hotel waiting for Wizkid, only to be told later that he had already left the hotel.  Upcoming dancehall artiste, Assinah, also tried to get in touch with the Nigerian star but went as far as talking to one of the people on his management team.

As it is now, the Nigerian superstar is set to perform in Kampala, Uganda, in a show dubbed ‘Wizkid Live in Concert’ in December. Could this be an opportunity for artistes to try again? After all, the saying goes, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again’. Maybe, just maybe, one of our own could succeed.