Aimée Umugeni is a promising actress in a famous radio soap opera called Urunana. The radio play is aired on the BBC Great Lakes service and rebroadcast on Radio Rwanda. It depicts daily life in a fictional Rwandan rural village. The program educates the Great Lakes’ Kinyarwanda- and Kirundi-speaking communities on reproductive health, business development and rural development initiatives. Ms. Umugeni is one of the young actors who have been acting for a long a time in the soap opera. Her character is Nyiraneza. She recently talked to Vijana FM about her role, her future plans, and shared her message to girls and East African youth, among others. The following are excerpts from the interview.
Q, Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Aimée Umugeni. I am 22 years old. I am a radio play actress in [the] Urunana soap opera and a student at [the] Kigali Institute of Management.
Q. How did you get into the radio plays field?
In 2000, when I was in Primary 4, I participated in [an audition for child actors], and then I emerged as the best.
Q. Can you tell us about your character in Urunana?
I act as Nyiraneza. My role is to educate/advise youth on reproductive health, [behaviour] change and good manners.
Q. What is the role of theatre /radio play in Rwandan society?
It is very important, as it changes…society. For instance, [it has created] positive change for girls and it has changed…the community [a lot], so people learn how to improve their lives.
Q. How do you manage your studies and your artistic work?
My God-given talent complements my studies, so I will even continue my artistic projects after graduating from university.
Q. About one month ago you were interviewed on an international broadcaster on the International Day of the Girl. During the interview you talked about the girl’s status in Rwandan society. So what is your message to East African girls?
Being a girl is a blessing from God. East African girls should be proud of [themselves] and avoid temptations. They should work hard to build a better future.
Q. Do you have any radio play of your choice?
I listen to many radio plays aired on local FM radio stations on Tuesdays and Saturdays to get the message dedicated to the youth.
Q. Do you have any performing art field you would like to enter?
I want to become a film actor in the future.
Q. Do you have any message you would like to add?
I wish East African youth a happy new year. Let’s fight ignorance, build our nations by bringing about change for our countries’ development and sustainable peace.
