Local showbiz started the year in style with a bunch of trends and big events that are keeping partygoers entertained.
Last week, Miss Rwanda Photogenic 2019, Claudine Uwase Muyango tied the knot with long time fiancée and AS Kigali goalkeeper Yves Kimenyi, while gospel artiste Tonzi announced that she’s back with a new album, ‘Respect’.
The New Times highlights more stories from last week that got people talking.
Miss Shanel drops ‘Uzaze’ EP
Rwandan artiste Nirere Shanel on Friday, January 5, made waves again in the music industry with the release of 'Uzaze’, a six-song extended play which is her first release in years.
ALSO READ: Nirere Shanel returns with 'Uzaze EP,' an exploration of womanhood, cultural fusion
Shanel moved to France in 2012 and currently resides in South Africa where she produced most of the tracks on the EP.
"This is not just a collection of tracks; it's a heartfelt exploration of womanhood, challenging societal norms through the language of music,” Nirere recently told The New Times about the EP.
Uzaze EP also features collaborations with local talents like Micheal Makembe, Madebeats and Pastor P, known for the hit song "Ndarota."
Socialite Muyango officially weds goalkeeper Kimenyi
Miss Rwanda Photogenic 2019 Claudine Uwase Muyango and AS Kigali goalkeeper Yves Kimenyi are now husband and wife, after saying their vows in a colorful wedding ceremony held at Romantic Garden on Saturday, January 6.
The two were first reported to be dating in 2019, and went public with their love affair by getting engaged in 2021, before welcoming their firstborn, Miguel Yanis Kimenyi, in August that year.
ALSO READ: Kenny Sol surprises fans with civil wedding
The wedding was attended by some of the biggest names in Rwanda’s sports and entertainment industry including Miss Rwanda 2019, Meghan Nimwiza, Mariya Yohana and Victor Rukotana, Nshuti Innocent of APR FC, Nkinzingabo Fiston of Mukura FC, Mugunga Yves of Kiyovu FC among others.
Rwandan musician Kenny Sol legally weds fiancé
Rwandan musician Kenny Sol last week surprised many with a proposal and wedding to his fiance Alliance Yvette Kunda that was held at Nyakabanda Sector.
The couple managed to keep their relationship under wraps until the night of January 4, when Kunda shared an Instagram story flaunting her engagement ring. The caption read, "He asked... I said yes!"
Miss Rwanda 2020 Nishimwe engaged to Ethiopian techpreneur Michael Tesfay
Miss Rwanda 2020 Naomie Nishimwe on January 1, finally said ‘Yes’ to fiancé Michael Tesfay after two years of dating.
Tesfay and Naomie were first reported to be dating in early 2022 before making their relationship public via their social media a few months later, sharing photos of them together with captions of romance.
ALSO READ: Who is Michael Tesfay, Ethiopian techpreneur engaged to Miss Rwanda 2020?
Their engagement photos have since shaken up the internet as different celebrities including Naomie’s fellow beauty queens excitedly reacted to the development.
Gospel artiste Tonzi launches album ‘Respect’
Clementine Uwitonze, popularly known as Tonzi, one of the pioneers of modern gospel music in Rwanda on January 4, launched her ninth album dubbed ‘Respect’ making her Rwanda’s first praise and worship singer to have achieved such a remarkable milestone in Rwanda’s history.
This album consists of 15 songs, featuring tracks like ‘Respect’ named after the album, ‘Nshobozwa’ ft. Gerald M., ‘Merci’, ‘Warabikoze’, among others, and features 15 artists including Dj Spin, Josh Ishimwe, Alfred Kwizera, Sano Olivier, See Muzik, and many others.
The album boasts production from renowned Gospel Producers such as Camarade Pro, Mok Vybz, Didier Touch, Sam Pro, mix and mastering: Bob Pro, and Nicolas