An Australian-based international Gospel Ministry, Rise and Shine World initiated a Gospel Talent Hunt Competition dubbed ‘Ugendane Nanjye’ and so far the voting procedures are on the way.

It has been going on for about two weeks and for voting, one can do so on ‘Rwanda Gospel’ by clicking VOTE under the contestant's name. Another option is via the RSW YouTube Channel where one goes under the contestant video, clicks like bouton, and comments with the best message from ‘Ugendane Nanjye’ song by Bishop Justin Alain.

The judges in this competition are yet to be announced as they are expected to meet the contestants this coming week. The hunt will close on April 15, 2022, a night prior to the Gala Night which is scheduled on April 16. More to this will be shared in our next insights.

Let’s be reminded that ‘Ugendane Nanjye’ is Bishop Alain Justin’s new song and it is all about the prayer he made immediately after the death of his wife in February 2016. He was asking God to ‘Walk with him’ in the very new and hard journey of responsibilities of raising the four children all alone and one of them was a toddler. For more, read our previous piece, here.

The France-based Rwanda gospel artist, Hope Bella in her new song ‘Urukundo rw’umukiza’ reminded all the people in the world about the love of Jesus Christ who accepted to save them with his blood.

Hoe revealed that her inspiration came from the song she loved from the book and so she decided to dub it in a new music genre. “The song contains the good message of the love Jesus the savior loved us. I wanted to remind everyone that Jesus who had no sin loved us more than any other thing and died so that we can be saved while we didn’t deserve it at all,” said Bella.

She added, “For sure there is nothing that can go beyond that extraordinary love. It is only him that we all should trust and confide in always to guide us in our life journey.”

When asked about some other projects that she has after this, Hope replied that it is a lot and all is in line with keeping to serve the Almighty God.

Watch and listen to her song ‘Urukundo rw’Umukiza’

A renowned gospel artist, Israel Mbonyi revealed that he is planning to have a big concert of launching two albums that he worked on during the Covid-19 pandemic. He shared the news on his Twitter account with a statement that said, “Good news my people, If all goes well, We have a big Concert This year and Am launching my 2 albums made during Covid_19 (Mbwira & Icyambu ). We are praying and working on that.. more info ahead.”

This announcement is made after some other big concerts he held like the one of 2016 in which he launched his debut album dubbed ‘Number One’ and the ‘Intashyo’ in 2017.

Let’s be reminded that the 'Icyambu' hitmaker is also expected to perform at two big concerts in Israel from April 18, 2022 at the Roman Amphitheater of Kfar Shuni located in Binyamina-Giv'at Ada, Israel, and the second one will take place on April 20, at Ariel Sharon Park, Tel Aviv. Our very own Mbonyi will be alongside renowned Israeli singer and songwriter Avraham Tal. 

As the first beneficiary of this initiative, Mbonyi declared that traveling to Israel was his first dream and being able to play music live in the same country is an additional blessing to his career. In addition to that, he said, “The tour will not only benefit me but the whole Rwandan music industry which is going to be represented in other countries and get exposure which can open gates for more local artists.”

by K.J

Africa Let’s Worship (AFLEWO) organized a special evening of praise and worship as well as praying which is scheduled on Friday, March 25, 2022.

The AFLEWO Rwanda leader; Yves Mahoro Rwisumbura in a press release stated, “We are thankful to God for protecting us all within the last two years, 2020 and 2021. It was so difficult due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but we keep the prayers and commiserating those who were challenged in any way during those times. Let’s keep on believing in God as our savior.”

He indicated that after being disturbed by the covid pandemic, they resumed the praise and worship for seven hours. The event is scheduled for March 25, 2022 at CLA Nyarutarama. As the source we get this from; Mahoro said, “We resumed our praise and worship for seven hours. Starting from 5:00 pm until midnight. However, the Covid-19 prevention measures will be respected. Especially full vaccination and tests.”

All the team in charge of the event are in collaborations and well prepared to meet at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) Nyarutarama and together they believe to see some other people there. It is a Come one, come all for the praise and worship evening gathering and everyone is allowed to bring some friends and relatives along with an aim to never leave any behind the balls towards God.

The purpose of this is to pray and worship as well as reach out to some people in hard times so that they may know the goodness of God and the love of Jesus Christ that chance a person, a country, and various states for the glory of God.

AFLEWO has been operating in Rwanda for 12 good years since 2010. It is an international ministry initiated by Say Star University students from Kenya. Their aim was to unite Africans in one night a year for the prayers, thanksgiving, praise, and worship via songs.

by K.J

One of the very big names in the Rwandan gospel music industry, Patient Bizimana released a new song ‘Ipfundo’ which he got to name his third album after. It is the first song in eight that will be on that album. This came after Patient Bizimana and Gentille Karamira Uwera wedding on December 19, 2021. 

In an exclusive interview, Patient declared that the entire album will contain good songs of thanksgiving and some of them are collaborations with other worshipers.

“In my song ‘Ipfundo’ I am singing that with all the best things that God did to me, he will also do the rest since Jesus is the knot of everything. The entire album will be focusing on thanksgiving to Almighty God”, said Patient Bizimana.

His first album ‘Ikime Cy’igitondo’ has songs like ‘Menya Neza’, ‘Yakomeje Izina Rye’, ‘Nongeye Ndaje’, ‘Iyo Neza’ and many more. The second album ‘Impanuro Yo Guhembuka’ has songs like ‘Ubwo Buntu’, ‘Amagambo Yanjye’ just to mention a few.

Back to the third album, which he managed to do with the support of Producer Sano Panda from GoDaddy Studio. Pando is the producer behind ‘Ipfundo’ as a song too.

by K.J

Jeannine Uwimana, a USA-based Rwandan gospel artist shared her new song in which she focuses on reminding people that they only live in God’s mercy. As a line picket from the song ‘Nakwitura Iki?’ she says, “We ought to thank God day in, day out since we all live in his mercy and grace. He protects us from all the worst, sickness, accidents, pandemics and all…”

In an interview with the local media that sourced this story, Inyarwanda Uwimana, a Seventh Adventist Christian from ‘Buffalo Suburban’ located in the United States of America, in New York City, Buffalo said that she started doing music in the Sunday School, since 2005 and later joined the adults choir. However, due to the shift to the USA, she decided to be an independent artist in 2014.

Within that journey, she has managed to release two albums and is now working on the third. As she revealed, her role models in the gospel industry are: Phanuel Bigirimana, Uwera Sarah and Yvonne Uwase. Regarding the choirs, she likes; Ambassadors of Christ, Christ Heroes/Intwari za Kristo and Jesus is Coming/Yesu Araje Family Choir. 

Uwimana yavuze ko amajwi y'iyi ndirimbo ye nshya yafatirwa na PC Records ariko indirimbo igatunganirizwa (Mastering) mu Rwanda mu Ishusho Studios kwa Nicolas. Yavuze ko impamvu yabyo ari uko studios zo muri Amerika ziri ku rwego rwiza ziba zihenze cyane kandi mu Rwanda bakora ibintu byiza ku biciro bidakanganye.

“There is something I want to ask you, my Lord. Why do I sin a lot, and do all the worst in your eye but you still forgive me and do good for me? Let me ask you Jesus, what can I reward you for doing good to me days and nights yet I am a sinner?” Sings Jeannine.

With all she emphasizes on reminding people that it is by the grace of God that they exist and so they should live by praising him by all means. Uwimana declared that she doesn’t intend to give up on this industry. The best are yet to come.

by K.J

Grace Nyirawumuntu a worshiper who lastly released a song in the past five years, recently released a new one, ‘Narakwiringiye’ which focuses on how God healed her.

She revealed that she wrote this song in late 2021 when she remembered the goodness and miracles that God has done for her. In that song, she shared an amazing testimony about how she got healed by God when all the medical treatments failed.

She said, “I did that song when I was during the time to remember all the goodness, blessings and miracles that God has been performing in my life. When I was 5-6 years old, God amazed me with a miracle of curing the sickness I had been battling. He did it via dreams.”

So far, Grace has had three songs ever since she started doing gospel music; ‘Nakijijwe N’ubuntu’, ‘Ndamushima’ and the recent one ‘Narakwiringiye’. She confirms that it is God’s timing to share this with the world.

In a live interview, Grace revealed that if we all can look back at what God has done for us, we can understand that all the harships we might be going through have no power over us. Instead we should always trust in God since he never looks at how we know him, what we do or anything at all. He simply has a focus to do good to us.

Nyinawumuntu promised to never go back since she aims at delivering good messages via songs as long as God will allow her to.

by K.J

Dudu T. Niyukuru one of the so common gospel artists in Rwanda after so long without being heard, came back with a  brand new album.

Dudu who has been in Kenya revealed that he has been busy since 2015 due to some personal-related issues, plus the Covid-19 pandemic which didn’t make it easy for anyone.

However, he did his level best and released the third album dubbed ‘Uri Mwiza’ with 12 songs on it. Some are; ‘Mu Maraso Yawe’, ‘Yaraciye Inzira’, ‘Nzahora Nshima’, and ‘Mbega Urukundo’ just to mention a few.

As per our source, Igihe.com, Dudu said, “This album has the thanksgiving songs, others of praising the goodness of God and some to urge people to always worship God since he is almighty and the provider of everything.”

The ‘Ntari Twebwe’, ‘Ndi Hano’ and ‘Ndagushima’ hits maker expressed how he misses performing in Rwanda though he has no idea about when he will come, but he prays and plans hard for it to be sooner. The last time he performed in Rwanda was in 2015, under the theme ‘Stand for Jesus Outreach’ which took place at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) located Nyarutarama.

by K.J

Thacien Tuyishime is a big name in the gospel industry of Rwanda, under the name of Thacien Titus. As he and his wife celebrate their wedding anniversary, the artist surprised his wife with a car gift.

Thacien gifted Christine Mukamana with a Rav$ car as they were celebrating their eight years of relationship and seventh wedding anniversary. The two have two children together, Leila Gitego Tuyishime and Jovia The Champions Tuyishime.

In late February, that is when they had their celebrations in The Mille Collines Hotel and so Titus gifted Mukamana a car. He said that it is the sign of the love he has for her, “As we celebrate the eight years of relationship and seven in marriage, I surprised my wife and gifted her a car as a sign of endless love that I have for her. I made sure that I get her favorite car, Rav4.” Titus declared.

This car is worth 22,000,000 Rwf and Titus shared that his wife’s love of God, hospitality, love, and respect are their marriage stepping stones. Mukamana expressed her gratitude to her husband, “This melts my heart. My husband is so extra, he loves me and I love him. He is always new to me.”

After gifting his wife a car, he was also given a cow by a friend who appreciated his step in marriage. It was an event attended by relatives, family friends, and their close ones. For more details, click here.

These two will soon celebrate the 7th year in marriage since they tied the knot on August 22, 2015. Thacien Titus is the mind behind; ‘Aho Ugejeje Ukora’, ‘Uzaza Ryari Yesu’, ‘Uzampe Iherezo Ryiza’, ‘Mpisha Mu Mababa’, ‘Rwiyoborere’, ‘Haburaho Gato’, ‘Impanuro’ and ‘Nshyigikira’ and many more.

by K.J

LISTEN TO SOME OF TITUS SONGS HERE

Rwanda Gospel Stars  Live was an event that aimed at awarding outstanding gospel singers and recognizing their achievements in the Rwandan gospel industry. Let’s have a closer look at some details that highlighted this event from the start.

This event was planned for May 2021 but didn’t happen due to Covid-19 prevention measures. However, efforts were being made to make it happen. During the event preparation, artists who were contesting in this were promised to be given some money from the votings as were as some to help them financially and allow them to get ready. Unfortunately, some revealed that they didn’t receive that allowance.

Due to some lack of professionalism of the event; one of the most known gospel artists, Tonzi withdrew from the competitions. On this, she said, “After realizing the mismanagement of this event, I withdrew myself from such. However, I was so saddened by the fact that they kept on putting me on the banners that were being used to announce the event.”

To ensure the betterment of this event, the organizer announced the jury of judges to define who the winners are. Unfortunately, prior to the event of announcing the winners, all the five judges; Aimée Uwimana, Simon Kabera, Josue Shimwa, Mupende Gedeon, and Pamela Mudakikwa resigned from their duties.

In an interview with Igihe.com, Aimée Uwimana explained some reasons behind their resigning, “At the beginning, we were noticing some unprofessionalism from the organizers, but we were hoping for some better changes. As days went on, it was becoming worse and so we decided to resign and leave for good.”

Aimée added that they were so surprised to know that some people already knew the winners before they decide on who the top winner was, such as MBONYI ISRAEL. The sad truth was, the revealers were the Rwanda Gospel Stars Live organizers. Let us reminds that the list of the winners of the Rwanda Gospel Stars Live Season One is:

Top Winner: Israel Mbonyi , 7 Million Rwandan Francs Prize / Second Place: Aline Gahongayire, 2 Million Rwandan Francs Prize / Third Place: Gisubizo Ministries, 1 Million Rwandan Francs Prize, and Ratajah (As the best upcoming Artist) : 1 Million Rwandan Francs Prize.

A renowned gospel artist from Tanzania, Rose Muhando was invited to perform in the official closing of the event. Yes, she came, and she delivered an amazing performance to the audience who were at Canal Olympia. Though the audience was so limited since many were gone based on the poor organization of the events.

At the venue, in the middle of the event, the band stopped playing the instruments since they claimed that they were not yet paid and after almost an hour they resumed the concert.

Based on people’s reactions to this, Rwanda Gospel learned that this is so sad to see all this negative feedback in the gospel industry, and this needs very closer attention and changes for future kinds of organizations. 

Story by K.J