The Ubumuntu Arts Festival was founded by Hope Azeda, a visionary in contemporary Rwandan theatre and the Artistic Director of Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company, a leading theatre company in Rwanda. The festival was born from Hope’s leadership proposal to the Africa Leadership Project, which was met with enthusiasm—and thus began the Ubumuntu journey.

Launched in 2015, the festival takes place annually after the 100-day commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Held at the outdoor amphitheater of the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, it gathers artists from around the globe to Kigali, Rwanda. Activities include performances, workshops, panel discussions, and visits to genocide memorial sites.

The festival is free and open to everyone, relying on the generosity of donors and sponsors to make it possible.