For 2026, Rwandan celebrities are setting ambitious goals. Poets, musicians, entrepreneurs, media personalities, sports stars, and others, spoke to The New Times about the projects they launched, the hurdles they faced, and the lessons they learned in the previous year. In the new year, musicians aim to expand their reach locally and internationally, with album releases, collaborations, and live performances on the horizon. Poets and writers are planning new publications and literary projects, while entrepreneurs are focused on scaling their businesses and investing in innovation. Celebrities shared that the lessons of 2025—resilience, adaptability, and the importance of self-care—will guide their choices in 2026. Whether building on past successes or pivoting from challenges, Rwanda’s public figures seem united in their commitment to growth, creativity, and contributing to the country’s cultural and economic landscape. Junior Rumaga, poet: 2025 was a year of growth and building a strong foundation for my work. I reached key milestones in developing my creative and cultural projects, creating spaces where young people can use poetry and music to explore their identities and engage in meaningful conversations. Through “Ibyanzu” and other projects under my cultural and arts initiative, SIGA Rwanda, small ideas gradually became structured programmes. It was a rewarding journey that showed how culture can connect people and give life meaning. There were challenges too; growing sustainably, balancing creative freedom with organization, and working with limited resources tested me as a poet, songwriter, and author. Those experiences honed my focus and showed me that real change doesn’t happen overnight, it builds step by step. Looking ahead to 2026, my goal is to grow with purpose. I want to build on what we have achieved, make our platforms more visible, and raise the bar for festivals and programmes. This year, we have a major festival in March, the annual “Ibyanzu” album, and new work from me. I also want young creatives to tell their stories boldly and professionally while turning their talent into lasting careers. Barbara Umuhoza, communications specialist: 2025 was a year of pushing through limits; personal, professional, and family. It was a year that made me think differently, take risks, and embrace change. It felt like a year of fast growth. Now we are in 2026, a year I believe will build on that growth and bring change and transformation in different areas of our lives. It’s a year to return to our dreams and push boundaries further. I am excited to see what will unfold this year. Nyambo Masa Mara, fashion entrepreneur: Last year was one of movement, learning, and rebuilding for me, both creatively and professionally. I worked on my creative projects while also strengthening the foundations of my business. I moved between countries, clarified my vision, and learned to balance staying true to my art with building something that lasts. Growth isn’t always loud; it can be quiet, hard, and very personal. As I go into 2026, my focus is on building with purpose and stability. This year is about making what we started stronger, growing the business, and working more with partners across Africa. I am excited to expand my work in Rwanda and beyond, using fashion and storytelling to support dignity, identity, and lasting impact. Nelly Wilson Misago, film producer: Looking back, 2025 was a busy and rewarding year. I produced more than 160 new episodes of television, acting as both lead producer and executive producer, including new seasons of Seburikoko, a local comedy television series. One highlight was The Bridge of Christmas, the first Rwandan Christmas film, made fully in Rwanda, in Kinyarwanda, for Rwandan audiences. We also organized Zacu Gala, an annual event that celebrates collaboration in cinema and the creative industry. The gala was a big success. As a producer, I helped bring new cast members to the screen, several of whom became well known within a year. There are still some challenges, though, one of the main ones is the limited number of cinemas in the country, which affects how films reach audiences. In 2026, several new productions are already underway. This includes Rwanda’s first locally produced reality show. Zacu Gala will return this year, bigger and reaching even more people. Fally Merci, comedian: Reflecting on 2025, Gen-Z Comedy Show solidified its place as one of Rwanda’s leading youth-driven entertainment platforms, using comedy to develop talent, build confidence, and engage communities. From January to December, it hosted two main comedy shows every month, giving emerging comedians regular performance opportunities and creating a lively space for young audiences. These events brought together comedians, creatives, influencers, and entertainment stakeholders, supporting the growth of Rwanda’s comedy and creative scene. Gen-Z Comedy Show expanded to high schools and universities, reaching thousands of students with interactive performances and discussions that encouraged creativity, public speaking, and self-expression. For many, these tours were a first introduction to structured creative platforms and the idea that talent can become opportunity. We focused a lot on helping young comedians improve. Twice a week, we had training and rehearsal sessions to turn their raw talent into skills they could use on bigger stages. Meeting and working with well-known artists and media people also encouraged them and showed them what’s possible. In 2026, we plan to take the show to more regions, spend more time in schools, keep helping young talent grow, make more digital content, and set up comedy clubs, training spaces, and annual talent shows. The goal is to support young comedians and give them more chances to be heard across Rwanda. Jackie Lumbasi, media personality: 2025 was a great year for me, and I am grateful to God. It was healthy in every way, mentally, creatively, and professionally. One of the biggest milestones was finishing my master’s degree, a journey that wasn’t easy but was very rewarding. Professionally, my television show, “The Real Talk”, grew and reached more people, showing me that meaningful storytelling takes time. I also improved as a moderator and MC, stepping into rooms with more confidence, clarity, and purpose than before. As 2026 begins, my goal is to keep building and growing with purpose, intention, integrity, and joy. I want to have more impact, refine my voice, and keep creating work that feels honest and useful. I am praying and looking forward to a year of growth, good health, and meaningful connections. Davis-D Shine Boy, Afro-Pop singer: Last year stood out as an important stage in my artistic journey. It was an exceptional year for me. Since 2022, I had never performed more than 30 concerts in a year, but in 2025 that number rose to nearly 50. I performed across all provinces of Rwanda and also in Europe, Asia, and other parts of Africa. One important moment came in Dubai. Before, I had only travelled there to shoot music videos, but in 2025, I performed live on stage there for the first time. Another unforgettable performance took place in Bukavu. It was my second time performing in DR Congo. I had last been there before the conflict escalated. When I returned in October, it was encouraging to see calm return after the unrest earlier in the year. Daily life had resumed, there was no gunfire, and that sense of peace gave the concert more meaning. Like many artistes, I aim to push my work further, even though financial limits often influence what is possible. Based on what 2025 brought, I believe 2026 will bring clear and visible changes in my career. Vanessa Mutesi Zuba, content creator, brand influencer, radio presenter, MC: 2025 was a year of contrast for me. On a personal level, it was very challenging and testing, even if that wasn’t always visible. Professionally, however, it was a good year, and I am grateful for the opportunities I received. I shared stages with many inspiring people, expanded my presence across different platforms, and continued to show what I have to offer. I can’t single out one moment as more important than the others. Every opportunity mattered, whether I was moderating or emceeing. Working with the Ministry of ICT on campaigns such as “Her in a Million” stands out. It reconnected me with interests I hadn’t explored before, especially in the tech space. Being part of that campaign and seeing young women step into opportunities in technology is one of my highlights. Another major moment was hosting at the BK Arena with Davido, which was my biggest audience at the time. That was later surpassed during the New Year’s celebration at Kigali Convention Centre, where we welcomed 2026. This new year will be a more personal year focused on individual projects. Plans to start a YouTube channel or podcast are already in progress, with the aim of bringing more of myself into my content. Olivier Niyonzima, aka Sefu, Rayon Sports midfielder: Last year was a challenging but important period in my football career. Ending the year healthy and still active in my profession is a blessing in itself. I faced many challenges in 2025, including times of inactivity caused by misunderstandings with management. Those moments taught me that things don’t always go your way. As a team, reaching the final stages of the 2025 Rwanda Champions League, which ended in June, is a special experience, even though we didn’t win the trophy. Losing the title in the final minutes was painful, but the journey gave us memories that will last. I see 2026 as a chance to start fresh, rebuild, compete, and give my full commitment to both my club and my career. Judence Kayitesi, author: When I think about 2025, it was a year of reconnecting with purpose, memory, and education. Through my writing and school workshops, I used my youth book “The Unity Quest” to engage students from different cultural backgrounds in conversations about identity, resilience, and the lasting impact of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Working in classrooms showed me how storytelling can open honest, age-appropriate dialogue through generations. In 2026, I hope to strengthen these connections even more by expanding school-based reading and writing programmes that bring young people, educators, survivors’ stories, and cultural memory together in shared learning spaces. Through “The Unity Quest”, my goal is to help younger generations understand the past, reflect on responsibility, and connect across cultures, especially within diaspora communities. My hope for the year ahead is a future fashioned by remembrance and empathy, where education and stories work together to build understanding, dignity, and lasting peace. Remmygious Lubega, creative entrepreneur, events manager, marketer: 2025 was a year I never imagined so much and so little could happen at the same time. I had to scale down most of the ambitious plans I had, from the start of the year until almost the third quarter, because of unexpected business setbacks. That list of projects I had hoped to complete barely materialised. Even with all that, at least we launched “Tangira StartUp TV Contest ”, an entrepreneurship show for young people. Watching it go from an idea on paper to TV screens was a real achievement. But the year was also full of pain, losing my mother crushed so many of my dreams for her and for myself. Even now, I keep asking, ‘what else could I have done?’ Maybe I should have tried another hospital, prayed longer, or listened more to her. Just two weeks before she passed, I also lost a close friend. The year forced me to see who was real and who wasn’t, to let go of people, and focus on those who cared for me. I am grateful for life, for lessons about patience, focus, and keeping my head through everything. I am praying that this year goes well and that all my efforts bear fruit.
