Rwandan jazz concert organisers building houses for genocide survivors

Kigali Jazz Junction founder Remmy Lubega told The New Times at the weekend that the organisation wanted to partner with other companies in the private sector to ensure that the project could benefit as many survivors as possible.

“It is our social corporate responsibility to help needy people because we believe in building the community," he said." It is not the work of the government alone. There is still so much to do and if we come together as citizens, then we can change the lives of many people.”

Lubega was speaking during the laying of the foundation stone of the first beneficiary’s house in Gasabo district, which after completion will be worth about $10 000. He said a percentage of the proceeds collected from the Kigali Jazz Junction three-year anniversary celebration concert scheduled for June would be directed to the project.

Kigali Jazz Junction is a monthly event that features local and international artists. It is organised by creative and events agency RG-Consult in partnership with Neptunez Entertainment Company.

Musician Cyubahiro Serge, who works with RG-Consult, told Music In Africa that the company wanted to do more than just plan music events.

“We felt that it was time to give back to the community,” he said. “We've had support from our fans and it's our turn to support them too. This is a great cause and it is my hope that others will support us because these survivors deserve some attention for the suffering they went through.”

Last month Rwanda marked 24 years since the 1994 genocide, which saw about 1 million Tutsi killed by the Hutu majority government.