The campaign got off to a rousing start on May 20 2001 in Kigali when nearly 50,000 people showed up at a free launch concert in Amahoro stadium that featured international music stars and the first ladies of ten African nations in attendance. The concert, which also reached another one million radio listeners, featured Jamaican reggae artist Natty Dread, South Africa's legendary Brenda Fassie, and Rwanda music "queen" Cecile Kayirebwa. The musicians promoted AIDS awareness and prevention messages throughout the evening. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeanette Kagame danced the night away with first ladies from Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali and Nigeria who were in Rwanda for the Summit of African First Ladies.

Youth, HIV/AIDS, Family Planning.

After the launch concert, JHU/CCP continued to carry the KUBA message through Rwanda with an event at Butare University on May 27 and another concert in Gitarama on June 3. JHU/CCP will now actively seek to develop partnerships with local musicians, actors, donors and others to expand the KUBA campaign and continue to reach young adults through media that appeals to them.In addition to the famous artists present on May 20, several local artists warmed up the crowd with KUBA messages, such as:

• The future is now, To protect it, make a KUBA decision;
• The strength of our youth lies in the KUBA. To live healthy and strong, make a KUBA decision; and
• Do not get hot if you have not got it. Condoms prevent AIDS and STDs.