Alicia and Germaine have once again brought Rwanda into the continental spotlight after being nominated in the Africa Golden Awards 2026, following their earlier success of winning at the Shining Star Africa Awards 2026.
The duo is currently competing in the highly competitive Top African Gospel Group/Duo 2026 category, a title that recognizes the best gospel duo or group across Africa.
Africa Golden Awards 2026 has attracted massive attention from fans across the continent due to its voting system, which is entirely driven by public participation. The competition officially opened its voting phase on Friday, 20 March 2026, bringing together nominees from different sectors including music, media, arts, and business.
Alicia and Germaine, two Rwandan gospel singers, whose real names are Alicia Ufitimana and Germaine Ufitimana, stand out among the gospel nominees thanks to their growing popularity and impact in African gospel music.
The awards follow a strict voting system where nominees must meet specific thresholds to qualify for grants. A category winner must secure at least 50,000 verified votes to receive a USD 5,000 grant, while the overall winner must reach 500,000 verified votes to qualify for the USD 50,000 grand prize. Voting is conducted exclusively through the official website, and all votes are verified to ensure fairness and prevent manipulation.
Alicia and Germaine’s nomination comes shortly after their major achievement at the Shining Star Africa Awards 2026, where they won the Best Star New Gospel Artist award. The ceremony was held in Kigali at Olympic Hotel on 7 March 2026, marking the first time the event took place in Rwanda after previous editions in South Africa. Their victory was widely celebrated and marked a key milestone in their musical journey.
The duo has gained increasing recognition through their gospel songs such as Uriyo, Ibendera, Urufatiro, Wa Mugabo, and Rugaba, which have been widely appreciated for their spiritual messages and inspirational themes. Their growing influence has positioned them as one of the most promising gospel acts in East Africa and beyond.
As Africa Golden Awards 2026 continues, Alicia and Germaine remain strong contenders in the gospel category. Their recent achievements have strengthened their visibility and increased expectations among fans, who believe the duo represents the rising strength of Rwandan gospel music on the African stage.
Their heartfelt message after being nominated
Alicia Ufitimana
Germaine Ufitimana
