All eyes were on who the winners would be on Saturday night at the Kigali Convention Center for the awarding event at the second edition of the ‘ Made-in Rwanda Awards ‘ as celebrities and companies from across sectors in the local showbiz industry..
Kalisimbi Events organizes the annual awards in collaboration with the East African Youth Development Agency to recognize various characters and businesses that have made a difference over the previous twelve months in line with promoting the Made-in-Rwanda initiative.
The awards also aimed, among other things, to recognize the role of the showbiz industry in promoting the policy of Made-in-Rwanda.
A number of nominated celebrities had pulled out of the awards expressing doubts about how the awards were being organized while others said they had not been contacted before they were included in the categories. Others doubted that the prizes were credible.
It did not, however, prevent organizers from moving on and recognizing those who were prepared to be part of the prizes.
The awards varied from music, fashion and comedy to film, photography, sports and innovations in 34 distinct categories. Some of the winners are below.
Award winners:
Female Celebrity Influencer of the Year: Jolly Mutesi, Miss Rwanda 2016
Best Photographer of the Year: Constantin Ashimwe
Fashion Designer of the Year: Delphine designs
Traditional Troupe of the Year: Inyamibwa
Female Model of the Year: Christelle Teta
Male Model of the Year: Eric Sekamana
Actor of the Year: Emmanuel Ndayizeye (Nick, City Maid)
Song of the year: Mariya Jeanne by Francois Nsengiyumva
Music Label of the Year: The Mane
Best Male Artiste of the Year: Ibrahim Cyusa
Female Artiste of the Year: Clarisse Karasira
Music Radio of the Year: Kiss FM
Best Makeup Artist: Souvorov Beauty
Best Entertainment radio: Flash FM
Best DJ: Miller
Best Female Celebrity: Jolly Mutesi
Best Fashion Show: Tsapa fashion show, TV1
Best Fashion Event of the Year: Rwanda Cultural fashion show
Best Actress of the Year: Jeannette Bahavu, aka Diane (City Maid)
Best TV series of the year: Seburikoko
Best Radio sports talkshow of the Year: 10 Sports, Radio 10
Best Comedian of the Year: Daymakers
Best Movie Interpreter: Rocky Kirabiranya
Best Gospel Song of the Year: Ndanyuzwe by Aline Gahongayire
Best Fashion Boutique of the Year: Masha Boutique
Best Innovator: Gura Ride