On June 13, 2026, celebrated Rwandan gospel sisters Vestine and Dorcas announced the end of their collaboration with MIE Entertainment Ltd, the management company led by Irene Murindahabi, popularly known as M. Irene, after five years of working together.

In a statement shared on their social media platforms, the duo revealed that the decision was made after careful reflection about the direction they want their music career to take.

“After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided to end our partnership with MIE effective immediately,” they stated.

Despite ending the partnership, Vestine and Dorcas expressed gratitude to M. Irene for the role he played in their journey, describing him as a mentor, guardian, and father figure who supported them throughout their rise in the gospel music industry.

On June 14, 2026, M. Irene also confirmed the separation, saying that both parties had mutually agreed to conclude their working relationship.

“After five years of partnership and a journey filled with wonderful moments and valuable lessons, MIE Music and Vestine & Dorcas have mutually agreed to end the contract that united us,” he said.

An investigation into the agreement previously signed between MIE Entertainment Ltd and the artists reveals important details about how their partnership was structured.

The contract, signed between MIE Entertainment Ltd as the investor and manager, and Vestine and Dorcas as artists, allowed either party to terminate the partnership in the event of unresolved disputes or disagreements.

However, one of the key clauses required the party seeking to terminate the agreement to provide a 30-day notice before ending the partnership.

According to information obtained by InyaRwanda, the original contract was valid for three years and expired in 2025. Following its expiration, the two parties reportedly continued working together without signing a new agreement.

Legal experts consulted by the publication noted that when parties continue collaborating after a contract expires without signing a new one, the terms of the previous agreement are often considered to remain in effect until a new arrangement is reached.

Under the agreement, MIE Entertainment Ltd was responsible for financing and producing the artists’ audio and video projects, promoting their music through various media channels, and distributing their content on digital platforms.

The company also carried the responsibility of building and developing the artists’ brand and public image.

In return, Vestine and Dorcas were expected to focus on creating music and actively cooperate with the management in all activities intended to advance their careers.

One of the most significant provisions in the contract concerns intellectual property rights.
According to the agreement, ownership rights to all songs produced during the partnership belong to MIE Entertainment Ltd.

This means that if the original contract terms are still considered applicable, Vestine and Dorcas do not hold full legal ownership of the songs created under the partnership.
The agreement further stipulates that if the artists wish to acquire ownership rights to any of the songs, they would be required to pay Rwf 5 million per song.

Based on the number of songs released under MIE Music, the duo is estimated to have recorded at least 12 songs during the partnership. Acquiring ownership of all those songs could therefore cost approximately Rwf 60 million.

Reliable sources also indicate that M. Irene provided Vestine and Dorcas with more than Rwf 300,000 per month to support their livelihood and music-related activities.

The same sources claim that before making their public announcement, the artists first informed M. Irene by phone that they wished to end the partnership in pursuit of a new direction and greater opportunities for growth.

The 30-day notice requirement contained in the original agreement could become a point of discussion if the previous contract is deemed to have remained effective after its expiration.
Legal observers note that questions may arise regarding whether the public announcement complied with the contractual obligations agreed upon by both parties.

For now, however, neither side has indicated any intention to pursue legal action.
Nevertheless, the issues of song ownership and the process through which the partnership ended are likely to remain central topics should any disagreements emerge in the future.

The separation marks the end of one of Rwanda’s most successful gospel music partnerships in recent years, a collaboration that helped transform Vestine and Dorcas into some of the country’s most influential gospel artists.