Master Fire on quitting drugs and his musical comeback

Master Fire, real name Innocent Hakizimana, was a notable artiste in Rwanda, especially at the University of Rwanda - Huye Campus, before he was sent to Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre over abuse of marijuana. The reggae, afro beat and hip-hop singer says that he completely changed after spending one year at the rehabilitation centre in Rutsiro district. He was taken to the centre to treat his drug abuse problem. “The long journey from the university to the transit centres to Iwawa and from Iwawa back to the real world gave me a lot to think about. I learnt a big lesson. Having spent a year being equipped with vocational skills, I can definitely say I am a changed man,” he says. He adds that it’s not easy to quit drugs completely but as time goes by, it happens. The artiste started singing in 2006, and had composed 28 songs by the time he was taken to the rehabilitation centre. “I had 28 songs when I was booked into rehab. In fact I was about to launch my album. After the rehab experience, my dream is to continue my music and to finish my studies and promote my music. I’d like to tell young people that there is nothing good about using drugs. On the contrary, it will destroy the opportunities coming your way,” he added. Master Fire is known for his hit songs like Mtoto wa Kijiji, Nakupenda and Espece d’imbecile, among others. Master Fire is the first born in a family of four. He did his primary at Ecole Primaire de Kigoma in Nyanza and moved to ETO Kibuye, IPK Kirinda and Groupe Scolaire Nderabarezi for high school. He then joined what was known as National University of Rwanda, now Huye College. It is said that he spent nine years at university instead of the normal four years. “It’s true I started my university studies in 2006, but because of different issues with the administration, it wasn’t easy for me to finish within the four years, I was supposed to,” he says. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Master Fire on quitting drugs and his musical comeback