The latest edition comes as participants in previous competitions continue to make their mark in various creative fields, including music, poetry, comedy, film and fashion.

Some have released albums and performed on international stages, while others have directed music videos for prominent artists or established businesses that create jobs for others.

Launched by Imbuto Foundation in 2018, ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents, develop their skills and explore opportunities in the creative industry.

Through competitions, training and engagement with experienced professionals, participants have gained skills and opportunities to advance their careers and develop their projects.

Their achievements also reflect their individual efforts, the businesses and initiatives they have established, and the partnerships they have built along the way.

As the fourth edition gets underway, IGIHE looks at some of the programme's alumni and how they have developed their talents into careers and businesses, while contributing to Rwanda's growing creative industry.

Jean Chrétien Munezero (MJC)

Jean Chrétien Munezero, popularly known as MJC, is among the talents who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.

That year, he won first place in the photography and video production category, receiving a cash prize of Rwf 1 million.

Following the competition, he continued to develop his talent, eventually founding Uniquo Creations in 2022, a company specialising in video production and editing.

According to Imbuto Foundation’s 2024/2025 report, MJC had produced more than 20 music videos.

Among the videos he has directed are Nibido by Christopher and Beauty on Fire by Bruce Melodie and Joeboy, which he worked on with Bahali Ruth.

MJC is among the competition’s alumni who have successfully turned their talent in video production and editing into a profession, working with artists and various organisations.

Carine Maniraguha (Carine Poet)

Carine Maniraguha, popularly known as Carine Poet, rose to prominence through poetry. In 2018, she won first place in the writing and poetry category of the ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi competition.

After the competition, she continued to develop her poetry career while also venturing into theatre, taking her work to audiences in Rwanda and abroad.

In 2025, Carine was among the cast members of the play Gahugu Gato, which was staged at the Festival d’Avignon in France.

That same year, she participated in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, where she and Gad Tuyizere tied for second place in the literature category, sharing a prize of Rwf 10 million.

Carine also runs Rangurura, a project that seeks to empower women and girls to make their voices heard through art and poetry.

Fally Merci

Ndaruhutse Merci, popularly known as Fally Merci, is one of the comedians who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.

After gaining recognition through the competition, he continued pursuing comedy and later launched initiatives aimed at helping other comedians showcase their talents.

In March 2022, he founded Gen-Z Comedy, which initially operated from a tent at the ArtRwanda centre in Rugando.

A March 2025 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicated that the initiative had helped more than 100 comedians develop their talents.

At the time, Gen-Z Comedy had six permanent employees and provided temporary employment to another 47 people.

In November 2025, Gen-Z Comedy signed an agreement with ZACU TV to broadcast its comedy shows.

Fally Merci has expanded his career beyond performing comedy to establishing a platform that helps other talented individuals access opportunities in the creative industry.

Boukuru

Christiane Uwase Bukuru, popularly known as Boukuru, is a singer who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.

She has built a name in music by blending soul and jazz with sounds rooted in Rwandan culture.

On September 6, 2024, Boukuru unveiled her debut album, Gikundiro, featuring 11 songs, during a concert held at Norrsken in Kigali.

She was later selected to perform at the 2025 edition of the Sauti za Busara Festival, held in Zanzibar.

That same year, Boukuru was named among the 10 finalists in the Prix Découvertes RFI competition.

These milestones have helped her bring her music to audiences in Rwanda and beyond.

Makembe

Ishimwe Michael, popularly known as Michael Makembe, is a singer, instrumentalist and music producer who participated in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.

Makembe is known for exploring and preserving traditional musical sounds while blending them with contemporary music production techniques.

Through his project, Sounds of Rwanda, he has travelled to different parts of the country to record the voices of traditional singers and sounds produced by traditional musical instruments.

In 2022, he composed music for Father’s Day, a film by Kivu Ruhorahoza.

He has also contributed to music for theatre and dance productions, including umuko by Dorothée Munyaneza.

His works include Havumera Inka, Ikondera and Bagore Beza.

Makembe is among the artists demonstrating how traditional music can connect Rwanda’s history and cultural heritage with contemporary artistic expression.

Munezero Jean Vainqueur

Munezero Jean Vainqueur is a fashion designer and the founder of the fashion brand Maison Munezero.

He participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018 and continued developing his work in fashion design and garment production.

In 2019, he showcased his designs at Rwanda Fashion Week.

In 2022, he was among six fashion designers who participated in the Austria–Rwanda Fashion Connect event held at Expo 2020 in Dubai.

In 2025, he took part in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, where his ready-to-wear clothing project earned him second place in the fashion category.

Munezero continues to develop Maison Munezero while expanding his activities in the fashion industry.

Tuyishime Anaclet

Tuyishime Anaclet is a fashion and accessories designer known for his project, Umuringa Fashion Code.

In 2022, he won first place in the fashion category of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi.

His work focuses on creating shoes, bags and other accessories using leather and fabrics, combining these materials with his own creative ideas.

In 2025, he once again distinguished himself at ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, winning first place in the fashion category.

For the competition, he presented a project focused on making shoes from recycled materials, giving previously used materials a new purpose.

The project demonstrates how creativity can contribute to business development while reducing waste that harms the environment.

Musafiri James

Musafiri James is a screenwriter and film director who participated in the second edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi, launched in 2022.

He completed the competition’s training programme in December 2024, having gained skills that helped him further develop his talent in filmmaking.

His work includes writing scripts for some of Rwanda’s popular television series, including City Maid and Indoto.

In 2024, he wrote and directed the film Weaving Bonds, which tells the story of a parent who gradually comes to understand the value of their child’s talent.

In 2025, Musafiri was among the award winners in the film category at ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars.

He has continued to apply his experience in screenwriting and film directing, particularly in productions that explore people’s lives and social experiences.

The journeys of these artists demonstrate how creative talent can be turned into ventures that create jobs, support personal growth and contribute to preserving Rwandan culture.

Their achievements also serve as an example for young people participating in the fourth edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi, showing that talent can become a source of growth and opportunity when supported by knowledge, dedication and collaboration.