............ . . Social vibrancy is Kigali's pride   By George Kalisa   IF YOU want to have a breath from the routine nagging heavy and haphazard traffic of automobile and humans, a pile of bada bodas, potholes, irritating sights of litter, revolting stench from the ‘tied’ sewerage systems, a flurry of pedestrians, factors which combine together to make movement in most unplanned cities hectic, then for sure, Kigali mighty be the best choice. The absence of swirling dust, a corrupt police, a crescendo of chatter, clanging of old cars and abundance of pavements in the streets make the city a dream city for everybody; holiday makers, the business community, drivers, pedestrians and window shoppers. Little wonder that the United Nations designated Kigali the cleanest city in the world. The day I was there, I got up gripped by the 10 o’clock appointment at Commercial Street, the busiest street. I was indeed late! So I called my business partner to ask him to put off the appointment who insisted I would make it. I was certain I would not make it with the kind of traffic definition I had had for a life time. ‘It is a 15-minute drive from Alpha Palace Hotel to the venue; then plus 30 minutes to be eaten by the traffic jam I would not make, my partner is crazy’ I thought aloud.   When a voice from the other end insisted, I reluctantly checked out the hotel and started the car. Believe me not I made it within 15 minutes. Traffic was moving in an orderly manner! Every motorist and their passengers wore helmets. It was just as hard to find two people perched on the back of the boda boda as it is hard for the biblical camel to go through the eye of the needle. Kigali’s traffic was by far the purest contrast of the one in my home country. I drove through the clean streets with imposing evergreen spruces on the sides. The sight of smooth roads, erected floodlights, leveled flowers and organised automobile will leave no doubt in the first time visitor that he is in Rwanda. Sight of any scenery short of these, it would not be in Rwanda. What an adventure! And, when you see some ewe-inspiring skyscrapers then, again be sure, you’re not in Kigali. The likelihood that you are in a dream is high. The city engineers say, given Kigali’s mountainous and hilly topography, the architecture is highly incompatible with the landscape. Mountains like Jali, Shyolonge and Kigali account for the city’s uniqueness but they also make sophisticated architecture nearly impossible and costly.   Kigali life after dark Whoever was in Kigali six years ago and those who have heard about it know that cleanliness and unequalled hospitality define this city. What they may not know is its vibrant entertainment industry, let alone the charming and angel-looking babes and smart dudes who form part of the nocturnal community. You are worried about muggers, robbers, hooligans, or “kintu kidogo”(I mean corruption in all its manifestations by the security personnel), then know that you are just tormented by your past experiences in other cities. Kigali’s omnipresent security and discipline of the security personnel does not give room to such vices; even would be criminals know this fundamental truth about the country.   Musician Paul of the Nigerian music duo P-Square shares a moment with fans at a recent performance in Rwanda Many spots of the city never go to sleep. Is it insomnia or somnambulism that the dwellers and their visitors suffer from? In suburb like Remera, particularly in the vicinity of Amahoro National Stadium, Nyamijos and Migina where we find conglomerations of both low income pubs and large-scale hang-outs excitement starts at dusk and the area remains awake till dawn. The sight of fully parked spacious yards of Sports View Hotel, Planet Night Club, Hill Top Motel with cozy and pricey cars explicitly reveals the new image of the leisure industry. Kigali’s vibrancy has attracted both regional and international music icon like Jamaica’s musical icon and Shaggy, P-Square. Jose Chameleon, Radio, Bobi Wine, Juliana Kanyomozi have rocked Kigali at close intervals. Ugandan reggae musician, Jose Chameleon and internationally renowned hip hop Nigerian singers, the P-Squares with popular songs like “Shida za dunia” and “Mama Mia”, “P-Square Temptation” and “Story” staged a soul-stirring performance as part of last year’s Kwita Izina ceremonies Kigali had not hosted for decades.   Ugandan artiste Chameleone in a 2008 performace at the Amahoro Stadium Shaggy was also in Kigali. He went to MTN centre and Kigali Serena Hotel before he performed at Amahoro Stadium. All these musical icons have performed after dark and thus added colour to Kigali’s night life. You do not need to wait for performances, there as many night clubs and joints as the stars where you can relax from. Planet, Kigali’s premier discotheque sheltered by Kigali Business Complex (KBC) in the heart of the city opens throughout the week. The complex is a one stop centre. It houses some of Kigali’s restaurants that open 24-hours and the presence of the best DJs in region the club will quench your music thirst. Live music at Hotel Milles des Collines and the former Novotel Hotel makes hanging there inevitable after a busy day. The Rwandan culture is insatiable and Rwandans from time immemorial valued entertainment in all its forms. Igisope (songs that were sang by Rwandan musicians many years back). A sea of Rwandese and foreigners alike on weekends throng Alpha Palace and Chez Lando hotels to have a full dose of the Rwandan music to remember.