Hosted at Kigali Convention and Exhibition Village (KCEV) on the night of June 2, the Inkotanyi Ni Ubuzima Concert was attended by several people who enjoyed music about the Rwandan liberation. The audience started arriving and taking their seats at around 4 p.m. The venue was decorated white and grey. At around 5 PM, a band took over the stage and warmed up the audience who were still filling the room. From an elevated stage where everyone could see them, their music hit clearer, sweeter and harder as they performed. They cheered up the audience with songs related to liberation, clad in green t-shirts labelled Inkontanyi Ni Ubuzima which translates to Inkotanyi is life. Inkotanyi are the soldiers of Rwanda Patriotic Army who liberated the country and stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed over a million lives. At around 6 p.m, the MC seized the stage and introduced the official event. He gave the band some more time and its members cheered the audience up with enormous songs including Badutinye. Near the stage, some audience were parading like soldiers. After the band, the MC welcomed artiste Dieudonne Munyanshoza with tremendous vitality. He joined the stage with hit songs like Simba Yatembeya... and Dukomeze Kwibohora that the audience left their seats to dance to the songs. He was followed by Nyirinkindi, who was received with a loud cheer from the audience, that at some point they crowd lifted him in the air as he performed. His song Mwarakoze where he thanks Inkotanyi was the most lauded. Next on stage was Senderi International Hit. His songs Twaribohoye and Ibyo Kagame Yatugejejeho, saw the crowd sing along, even when the sound system faced technical issues. They couldnt afford to spoil the enjoyment. At around 7:34p.m, the MC introduced Bonhomme, headliner of the concert and organiser of the annual event. His songs like Inkotanyi ni Ubuzima and Humura Ntugipfuye cheered the audience and made them dance to their rhythms, reflecting the hard work, dedication and patriotism of Inkotanyi. He finished performing at 8:16 p.m. That was before the MC introduced Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu, the President of Ibuka to address the audience. He talked about the heroism of Inkotanyi and requested the audience to take a minute to remember those who lost their lives during the liberation war. He urged the audience to follow in their steps by fighting for the countrys unity. A one Nsabimana, who attended the concert, said that he enjoyed pure Rwandan music while learning about the liberation of Rwanda and why people celebrate it. Ange Ituze who was among the revelers said the concert was a reminder of what Inkotanyi did to save the country, adding that the songs are fun, while also reminding us to preserve the heritage of Inkotanyi. The event closed at around 8:45 p.m.
