Cayenne Lounge in Ntinda in Kampala, Uganda, was the place to be on April 15 if you were Rwandan and up for entertainment and networking for it was the Rwanda-Burundi Night.

Not to be confused by the name – Rwanda Burundi – the event was open to Ugandans and citizens from neighbouring countries and not even the punishing rain that delayed the coming to stage of Chameleon, Radio & Weasel could dampen the mood at the venue.

If anything the revellers just took shelter and went on dancing to the beats of the music so generously played by the Dj.

But that is just a peek into what it was all about. The Rwanda-Burundi Night was previously known as the Rwandan Night, an event characterised by Rwandans and a few Burundians coming together for music. This time, it was bigger and better.

“Shows have been happening in Uganda, but we needed a quite more engaging platform, am hopeful that this is to promote art amongst countries,” explained Arthur Nkusi, a Rwandan stand-up comedian.

It would appear the Rwanda-Burundi Night offered just the platform.

“We are focusing on creating a platform for sincere presentation and celebration of our home-grown talent,” Alex Muyoboke, the manager of Decent Entertainment, which was a major organiser of this event explained.

“We thought it better to start with Uganda as the venue, since a lot of Burundians and Rwandans reside there. What is more, Ugandan musicians have had several projects with their Rwandan counterparts,” explained Mr Muyoboke.

This first edition didn’t disappoint. It was a night of starts – from the known to the unknown.

There was Kigali’s six-man Charly Band on the stage, sending everyone to the dance floor just as there was Jody Phibi, belting out Ndacyashidikanya among other golden songs.

To emphasise the power of collabos, Joy Phibi teamed up with Dj Pius in Nzagukunda. Dj Pius further performed songs from Ntibyambaho to I’ll Never Let Her Go with Uganda’s Ray Signature, a collaboration which left the Rwandan and Burundian fans dancing along. Not to be left behind, Charly & Nina took to the stage with their favourite songs.

Big Fizzo, a Burundian Afro-beat and pop budding star, showed why he is loved by audiences, playing most of his loved songs, including Bajou. He didn’t forget those who came ahead of him and went on to perform songs by legendary Burundian musicians like Kidum. One of the event’s highest peaks for Fizzo was his performing of the party song Indoro, which he recorded with Rwanda’s Charly and Nina.

The emceeing team of Arthur Nkusi, Judith Heard, a Rwandan-Ugandan socialite and entrepreneur and MC Katts, a popular Ugandan television man, did a superb job keeping the audience entertained.

Expressing further live collaborative spirit among artistes, Rwanda’s Dj Pius and Uganda’s Jose Chameleon premiered Agatako, a song they recently recorded.

Other artistes at the fete were Nigeria’s Onyido Nkemjika better known as KetchUp, Uganda’s Atlas the African, Keko, Azziz Azion, Irene Ntale, and comedian Alex Muhangi.

Those in attendance were all praises.

“This should be a lesson to our local artistes and event organisers. For example artistes like Chameleon were with the team for rehearsals from the start to the end. I believe the organising committee did a great job as far as advertising was concerned,” said Andrew Shyaka, a Rwandan journalist who attended the event.

Others like Big Fizzo saw the event as a unifying gig.

“Given the fact that back home, conflict has affected lives, this platform more creates a bridge amongst fellow Burundians and other East Africans,” he said.

According to organisers, this event will be extended to the rest of the region in a bid to reach out to Rwandans and Burundians as they market local talents. The second edition is scheduled for December this year.