Minister of Youth and Arts Dr. Abdallah Utumatwishima urged artists on Saturday, June 13, to keep away from extreme alcohol use and drug abuse, saying the habits can gas gender-based violence and different issues amongst younger folks.
He made the remarks through the second version of the Rubavu Music Awards and Expertise Detection in Rubavu District, a border city the place, he stated, the chance of illicit drug trafficking is a priority.
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The occasion acknowledges established artists and rising expertise from the district.
With out pointing to any particular case, Utumatwishima stated some artists are sometimes led to imagine alcohol or medication assist them really feel assured or carry out higher on stage.
“You all look wholesome. I’ve not seen anybody who’s drunk or underneath the affect of medication,” he stated. “When persons are younger, they get simply deceived by issues comparable to alcohol and drug abuse. We have now seen instances the place artists abused their lovers or dedicated acts of violence inebriated or medication.”
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He referred to as on artists and youth to reject gender-based violence and select self-discipline as an alternative.
“Steer clear of such behaviors,” he stated.
The minister’s feedback come as singer Yampano faces trial over allegations associated to drug abuse and the assault of his girlfriend, together with accusations of battery, issuing threats and unlawfully confining an individual.
Different instances involving entertainers have additionally reached the courts, with alcohol and drug use typically cited among the many contributing components.
Brother Important Ringuyeneza, government director of Imaginative and prescient Jeunesse Nouvelle, which organizes the awards with Rubavu District, stated this 12 months’s version was constructed round expertise growth, violence prevention and psychological well being consciousness.
“We wish our youth to be disciplined,” he stated. “This platform shouldn’t be solely about music. It supplies a possibility to lift consciousness about points affecting younger folks, together with dangerous behaviors that may negatively impression their lives.”
Rubavu DJ Selekta Dady additionally backed the minister’s message, saying that whereas alcohol is frequent in leisure circles, drug abuse and violence ought to by no means be accepted.
“Being a star or working in present enterprise doesn’t imply that we must always interact in drug abuse,” he stated. “We should always condemn such conduct as a result of now we have seen many gifted artists whose careers have been destroyed by extreme alcohol and drug use, resulting in imprisonment or rehabilitation.”
