The heat is on, and so is Kigali’s weekend calendar. As the city moves into July 24 to 26, here is a curated list of events worth checking out.
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CECAFA Kagame Cup
Rwanda’s regional club football tournament opens Friday at Amahoro Stadium with a double-header, meaning two matches on the same day. Uganda’s Vipers SC face Djibouti’s FC Garde Républicaine at 3 p.m., before hosts APR FC meet Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC at 7 p.m.
Tickets start at Rwf2,000, and fans who cannot make it to the stadium can follow the matches on RBA and Azam TV.
As the tournament progresses, some fixtures move to Kigali Pelé Stadium.
Afro Carnival
Friday afternoon brings Afro Carnival to the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village/ Camp Kigali.
The event starts at 4 p.m. and runs into the night, with organisers promising live music, dancing and a lineup that includes Emmy Blaq and Prince Okuta from Nigeria, Juss Gigi from South Africa, and local acts Element Eleeeh, Kivumbi King, DJ Pyfo, Kem Lion, DJ Flixx, Muyango and Joxy Parker.
Entry starts at Rwf15,000.
Amapiano Ipathii 3
Atelier du Vin hosts Amapiano Ipathii 3 on Friday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., with Groove Kigali behind the event.
Amapiano, the South African club sound built around deep bass and piano lines, has become one of Kigali’s most reliable late-night draws, and the remaining tickets are listed at Rwf20,000.
Kigali Cine Junction
The fourth edition of Kigali Cine Junction continues through Sunday, July 26, with screenings and events spread across Cine Mayaka by IMITANA, Imbuga City Walk, L’Espace and KCJ Lounge by The Wine Lab.
The programme includes films such as Kubana, Saloum, The Kids Are Ok and Yakari: La Grande Aventure, and closes with an ALTErnative Soiree in honour of The Surreal 16 Collective.
Ticket prices vary by film and venue.
Oldies Music Festival
On Saturday evening, Kigali Universe turns into a time capsule for the seventh edition of the Oldies Music Festival.
The event runs from 6 p.m. into the early hours of Sunday and is built around nostalgic hits from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Tickets start at Rwf10,000.
Gira u Rwanda Cultural Concert
Kigali Serena Hotel hosts Intayoberana Cultural Troupe’s Gira u Rwanda concert on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The performance focuses on traditional Rwandan drumming, dance and storytelling, with tickets ranging from Rwf10,000 to Rwf200,000 depending on the package. The show is part of the troupe’s effort to present culture as a live performance for younger audiences and families.
Tunataka Ku Enjoy
Mundi Center becomes one of the weekend’s busiest spots on Saturday and Sunday as Hottempah’s Tunataka Ku Enjoy returns.
The festival uses three stages to split the experience: the Silver Stage, open from 3 p.m., focuses on food stalls, fashion pop-ups and games; the Gold Stage runs from 7 p.m. to midnight with live performances; and the Mist Stage at Depot 37 runs from midnight to 2 a.m. with dance music, including Amapiano, Afro house and 3-Step, a South African style built around a three-step bounce.
Saturday’s performers include Nel Ngabo, Ish Kevin and Kirikou Akili, while Sunday brings Christopher, Active Again, Mike Kayihura and Azawi. Passes start at Rwf12,500.
Rwanda Auto Fest
Sunday shifts gears at Kigali Universe for the third edition of Rwanda Auto Fest. The cars-and-bikes show starts at 1 p.m. and brings together collectors, families and enthusiasts for a display of customised builds, luxury vehicles and modified engines.
Tickets start at Rwf10,000.
Outside Kigali, the MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival heads to Musanze (Stade Ubworoherane) on Saturday, July 25, with performances by Kenny Sol, Chris Eazy, Davis D, Marina, Ross Kana, Amalon, Kivumbi King, Bushali and guest rapper Riderman, who won the Primus Guma Guma Super Star competition.
The free-entry show starts at 12 p.m., with VIP tickets priced at Rwf5,000.
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