It was a fun evening in Kigali as Rwandans entered the Heroes Day weekend in style with a concert to celebrate the selfless individuals that sacrificed their lives, with local artistes and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Jazz Band joined forces to entertain music lovers.
Revellers started flocking Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village – Camp Kigali as early as 3pm on Friday for the Heroes Day concert, one of the events organised to mark the annual day which is celebrated on February 1.
For the over half an hour, the Army Jazz Band and Vibes Band, composed of Nyundo School of Music, had the task of warming up the crowd as it grew in size. By 6pm, the big marque was filled up. The national ballet Urukerereza stepped on stage and excited the audience.
Music lovers couldn’t have asked for more as local music legends Intore Masamba, Mariya Yohana and Jean-Marie Muyango led Urukerereza’s performance.
It couldn’t get even better as Intayoberana kids troop came on stage. They had not been announced among the performers on the night and their presence surprised concert goers. East Africa’s Got Talent finalists got the crowd emotional as they put up a spectacular performance.
After their performance, traditional music sensation Clarisse Karasira was announced as the next performer and the crowd could not hide their excitement as the new face of Rwandan traditional music style came on stage to pay tribute to the country’s heroes with a graceful performance.
After Karasira’s performance, things got even better as local Afrobeat star Social Mula took up the stage with a lot of enthusiasm. The ‘Yayobye’ hitmaker went on to prove why he is a force to reckon with, performing most of his popular songs like ‘Abanyakigali’ and ‘Ma vie’
As soon as Social Mula was done, the most awaited act of the night, Niyo Bosco was announced and amid loud cheers, almost half of the crowd stood up and shouted messages of support and love towards the upcoming star who has a visual impairment.
Dressed in camouflage fatigues from head to toe, the up and coming artiste known for his guitar skills sang for the crowd close to half an hour but had an interjection where he asked the technical team to switch off the lights and asked the fans to light the room using their phones.
Emotions were really high as he sang his breakout hit "Ubigenza ute?” and his latest "Uzabe intwari”, which calls on people to be selfless and sacrifice for others.
The Army Jazz Bank led by Sergeant Major Robert Kabera and Dieudonné Munyashoza had the task of closing the show. The army band particularly thrilled the concert-goers with an electrifying performance with songs like "Maji Maji” and "Majeshi makali” which got the audience involved.
Pierre-Damien Habumuremyi, the head of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO), thanked the youth for turning up in big numbers and urged them to live responsible lives by putting country first as the heroes that were being celebrated.
The Minister of Youth and Culture Rosemary Mbabazi, who was the guest of honour, said that she was impressed by how young people turned up for the Heroes Day concert, promising that the next celebration shall take place in Kigali Arena.
Among the high ranking officials who attended the show is the Minister of Defence Maj. Gen. Albert Murasira and the Minister of Internal Security Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba. The show ended around 10pm.