Cécile Kayirebwa
At a glance
| Born | 22 October 1946, Kigali |
|---|---|
| Known for | Songs based on traditional Rwandan music |
| Lived | Belgium, from 1973 |
| Recordings | Music from Rwanda, her first solo album; albums in 2002 and 2005 |
Source: Wikipedia: Cécile Kayirebwa1
Early life
Kayirebwa was born in Kigali in 1946 to parents who both loved to sing. As a child she sang with a group broadcast by Radio Rwanda. She trained as a welfare officer while developing as a composer, building on her study of traditional Rwandan music.1
Belgium and the diaspora
In 1973 she left Rwanda with her mother and settled in Belgium. She sang for the Rwandan diaspora in Europe, was a member of the group Iyange for five years and studied her cultural heritage at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren. In the mid-1980s she toured Europe and America with the group Bula Sangoma.1
Recordings
Her first solo album was Music from Rwanda, and she released further albums in 2002 and 2005. Her songs include Umunezero, about happiness. With Christine Coppel she founded the charity Hope, the Children of a Thousand Hills.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cécile Kayirebwa?
A Rwandan singer and composer, known for songs about Rwanda built on traditional Rwandan music.
Where did she live?
She settled in Belgium in 1973 and toured Europe and America in the mid-1980s.
What was her first solo album?
Music from Rwanda.
Sources
Facts checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information.
