Samuel Kyagambidwa. The graduate of Makerere University in Kampala has for close to 17 years now been the artistic director behind Urunana, a Rwandan Radio Theatre programme that airs on Radio Rwanda, Radio Ten and BBC.

He also featured in theatre plays with Uganda’s Bakayimbira drama actors theatre company before returning to Rwanda in 1998. Currently a theatre director for Mashirika Performance and Media Company since 1998.

He has a large following in Rwanda and Burundi. He has also been the theatre director at Mashirika Performance and Media Company since 1998.

Before he enrolled for a music, dance and drama course at Makerere University, he had pursued a carpentry course and he was doing well. He says if he did not turn to theatre later, he would probably be working in the construction sector.

------------------------------------------

What’s your off-duty passion?

I enjoy holding discussions with people, talking with and listening to them. Also I love spending time with my family.

If you hadn’t turned into who you are now, what would you be?

I think I would be a very good carpenter. Before I enrolled for a music, dance and drama course at Makerere, I had pursued a carpentry course and I was doing well. I would probably be working in the construction sector.

What signifies your personal style?

It’s kind of hard to assess myself, but I love listening to other people and I know I am generally passionate about supporting people. I tend to listen more and take time to come to conclusions.

How do you manage your wardrobe?

I do that in collaboration with my wife. We agree or disagree depending on what am going to do and how she feels I should appear, but she makes most of the choices.

When in East Africa, where are you most likely to be whiling away your time on a Saturday afternoon?

Saturday would turn out really well at Kivu Sun Beach in Rwanda’s Western Province.

Describe your best destination yet in East Africa?

Actually, it would be the Kivu, or somewhere close to the shores of Lake Kivu.

Anywhere on your must-visit list?

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Also Zanzibar is top of the list. I have never been there, but I have heard a lot about the beauty of the Isles from my colleagues and wife over the years.

What do you see as East Africa’s greatest strength?

I think it is the tourism sector, which is one of the strongest and most lucrative sectors we have as East Africans. If it is well managed, it can turn out into a a real big thing for the economies.

What’s your best collection?

It’s just been coming up lately. I have recently started collecting pictures of different moments with people in my life that I feel am connected to. They are not necessarily pictures of relatives or friends. It can be anyone that I am connected with.

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve received?

It was my first car in 2010, from my friend Sande Sengi, who was also my colleague. He told me it was in appreciation of how we related and worked together.

What’s the best gift you’ve given?

This is quite a tricky one, but I think it was a small house to my mother in 2004.

Your last great read?

I am just half way and haven’t completed it yet. It is titled Five Kick Ass Strategies Every Business Needs by Robert Grede. Funnily enough, when I was buying it, I was thinking of how I needed to cover the front because of its “ugly” title. But it is a very interesting read on business.

What’s your favourite music?
I enjoy gospel music.

Your favourite website?

I usually visit bbc.com for international news, then theeastafrican.co.ke and monitor.co.ug.

What’s the constant in your fridge?

I usually prefer stocking it with fruit, specifically bananas, oranges and mangoes. At least one of those should be available.