The colourful gathering, held at the High Commissioner's Residence in Kacyiru, blended culinary displays, performances, fashion, heartfelt speeches and reflections on the enduring partnership between the two nations.
The evening opened with a soulful performance by singer-songwriter JP Zed, followed by the national anthems performed by the Turikumwe Choir. Guests later enjoyed a raffle in which two attendees won business-class RwandaAir tickets to attend the King's Birthday celebrations in the UK.
Thereafter, a series of energetic performances took the stage, including a lively dance showcase by children from the Sherrie Silver Foundation. The entertainment lineup also featured Mike Kayihura and his band, Okay Bisoke, as well as late-night DJ sets by DJ Dawee and DJ Bruno, transforming the diplomatic celebration into a vibrant artistic evening.
In her keynote speech, British High Commissioner Alison Thorpe delivered warm remarks that combined diplomacy, humour and personal reflections on her first year in Rwanda. Opening her remarks in Kinyarwanda, to appreciative applause, she expressed her admiration for the country and its people.
'Rwanda has totally captured my heart, from the rolling hills to the warmth of its people,' she said, noting that the event was both a celebration of the King and of the friendship between the UK and Rwanda.
Thorpe highlighted milestones of the past year, including ministerial visits, over 20 delegations from the UK and trips across Rwanda to meet communities and see ongoing projects.
She outlined three pillars of the UKâ€"Rwanda partnership: development, trade and investment, and people-to-people connections. This includes joint efforts in education and social protection, as well as investments by British companies exceeding £230 million (approximately 380 billion Rwandan Francs) in sectors such as energy, mobility, and technology.
The High Commissioner also spotlighted the growing creative collaboration between the two countries. A major highlight of the night was the reveal of the custom dress she wore, the winning piece of a design challenge involving eight Rwandan designers working with experts from the University of Westminster.
Thorpe wore the winning design by Inkanda House, founded by celebrated designer Patrick Muhire. Later in the evening, she also donned another dress, which took second place in the close competition, by Twinkle by Asty.
To continue supporting local artists, the envoy noted that in the new year, the British Council will be launching Creative DNA, a fashion-focused accelerator programme that showcases fashion as a viable career path for young people and a valuable driver of the creative economy.
"This is just the first step in the British Council's long-term plans to support capacity building within Rwanda's wider creative and cultural industries," she stated.
Meanwhile, Muhire, who has been a pioneer of Rwanda's fashion industry since 2008, said that the experience of working with the High Commission was both humbling and inspiring.
'I wanted to make a dress that she could never find elsewhere, a dress that represents my country,' he explained. He chose 'inyegamo', a traditional Rwandan material once used in home décor, to symbolise Rwanda's heritage.
All eight designers who participated in the competition are set to travel to the UK next year for a fashion show and cultural exchange at the University of Westminster, while also exploring new markets for their creations.
'We are hoping to enter the UK market and reach a broader audience than before,' Muhire said. 'The guests invited tonight aren't just from the UK; we also have people from France, Italy, and across the globe. Through this programme, we hope to access a larger market than we had previously.'
Representing the Government of Rwanda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, reaffirmed the strength and depth of Rwandaâ€"UK relations.
He highlighted collaboration in governance, education, trade, peace-building, climate resilience and innovation, noting that even during moments requiring 'thoughtful dialogue and mutual understanding,' both countries have maintained open, constructive engagement.
The Minister praised the UK's role in global climate action, a cause long championed by King Charles III, and welcomed continued cooperation through initiatives such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative. He also commended cultural and creative partnerships, especially the fashion collaboration showcased during the event.
'We remain confident that this chapter will lead to an even stronger partnership, one that contributes not only to our bilateral relations but also to regional stability and international cooperation,' he said.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
