Renowned gospel artiste Israel Mbonyi delivered a heartwarming performance in Musanze on Saturday, March 21, in what was his public performance in the Northern Province-based town. The ‘Icyambu’ hitmaker staged a powerful performance at INES-Ruhengeri, a venue in one of Rwanda’s secondary cities that seldom hosts performances by top artists. Mbonyi’s appearance upcountry follows the postponement of his debut concert in Rubavu, which had been scheduled for New Year’s last year. Organisers are working closely with the singer’s management to schedule a national tour which will reach different parts of the country. The concert in Musanze drew a large crowd of gospel music fans, particularly students from INES Ruhengeri. Mbonyi took to the stage around 6:30 PM, opening his set with “Amashimwe”, after earlier performances by various choirs had warmed up the audience. Hundreds of fans cheered as he performed a selection of his most popular songs, beginning with his Kinyarwanda hits. As the show gathered momentum, Mbonyi introduced Igisirimba—a popular church dance—keeping the crowd fully engaged in worship through songs such as “Nina Siri” among others to cap off an evening of praise and worship. Teta Erssie, a second-year Software Engineering student, described the experience as unforgettable, having seen the artist perform live for the first time. “I feel overjoyed,” she said. “It’s amazing to see him perform face to face.” For her and other students like Deliphine Uwimana, 21, from Rwamagana, such events offer a positive outlet, helping ease academic stress while steering students away from negative influences. According to Father Gratien Kwihangana, the concert was part of efforts to help new students feel welcomed and connected to a supportive Christian community. “This concert provided a positive space to foster spiritual growth and support students in their faith journey amid the distractions of university life,” he said. He also highlighted Mbonyi’s growing international appeal. “With his expansion into English and Swahili songs like ‘Nina Siri’, Israel Mbonyi is reaching a broader audience, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to connect with his music,” Kwihangana added. “That’s what I enjoyed most tonight.”
