The first weeks of the year are always eventful in the showbiz industry. Though entertainment or leisure activities have been limited as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, the showbiz industry has been active with a number of events worth noting taking place. On a sad note, Alex Mbaraga, known as ‘Junior’, a member of the group Juda Muzik, started the year grieving, after he lost his lover of two years, Liliane Umuringa, who passed away on January 10. Junior says the passing on of Umuringa, who will be laid to rest on January 16, was not just devastating for him, it robbed him of someone who he looked forward to spend his entire life with. “She changed my life. I cannot believe she had to go,” Junior said, adding that he will put on hold some of his ongoing projects to mourn Umuringa, whose passing on seemed to devastate many going by different social media posts. Dr. Tedros hails Stromae Singer Stromae is back in the news after speaking out on his new song and personal struggles with suicidal thoughts. The singer, who is currently promoting his song ‘Hell’, has been hailed by the Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who thanked Stromae for highlighting challenges relating to mental health, particularly suicide. While promoting the song, Stromae highlighted his personal journey through depression and how he grappled with suicidal thoughts. “Suddenly, I sometimes had thoughts of suicide. I am not very proud of it. It is sometimes believed that this is the only way to silence them. These thoughts that make me go through hell,” Stromae said. The WHO Director General commended Stromae for opening up on the matter. “Thank you @stromae for raising the difficult topic of #suicide on your latest album. So important to reach out for help if you are struggling and to support those who need help,” Dr. Tedros wrote, accompanying his post with an explanatory note of what you need to do if you are suffering from depression. RIB to investigate Queen Kalimpinya Impersonator This week, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said it would investigate the person behind a social media account impersonating former Miss Rwanda 2017 contestant Queen Kalimpinya. The beauty queen filed a case with RIB after a certain account on Twitter (@6_pazzo) continued to use her pictures without her consent and posting things that were not inline with her values and personality. Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said it would investigate the person behind a social media account impersonating former Miss Rwanda 2017 contestant Queen Kalimpinya(Pictured). The RIB Spokesperson Dr. Thierry B. Murangira confirmed that the investigative body was following up on the case filed by the Miss Rwanda 2017 third runner-up, warning that if arrested, the individual could face up to three years in prison and pay a fine of Rwf3m according to the law. Uncle Austin loses only surviving grandpa Still on a sad note, singer and radio personality Uncle Austin, real name Austin Tosh Luwano announced that he lost his only surviving grandfather. The singer revealed that the grandfather (the father of his mother) passed on at the age of 92 in Uganda where he was living. The singer revealed that he was the only surviving grandparent, others having passed on before. DJ Pius introduces new artiste Pius Rukabuza, known by the stage name DJ Pius has continued to make his contribution to the music industry, this time introducing a new artiste known as Blamo, under his label 1k Entertainment. Blamo, real name Moses Mugisha, is the latest to be introduced by 1k Entertainment, kicking off his career with his song ‘Fly away’, featuring songstress Alyn Sano. DJ Pius said introducing Blamo is part of his effort to contribute to Rwanda’s music industry by giving talented upcoming artistes an opportunity. The ‘homba homboka’ singer also refuted claims that he parted ways with singer Babo, pointing out that the fact that her latest song ‘Lose you’ featuring Ariel Wayz, was not produced under 1k entertainment doesn’t mean that they no longer work together. The DJ and singer, currently on a ‘Visit Rwanda’ tour, said that he works with Babo on specific projects but the singer is free to work on her other works without involving 1k Entertainment.
