What was anticipated as a grand celebration at Château Le Marara Hotel ended in frustration and disappointment. Guests, including notable figures like Miss Rwanda 2020 Nishimwe Naomie, Isimbi Model with her husband Shaul Hatzir, and Jolie Queen, alleged extremely poor services at the luxurious venue. This sparked heated exchanges of accusations and responses between the hotel management and the couple.
According to the contract’s financial details, the wedding’s estimated cost ranged between RWF 45 million and RWF 65 million.
In April 2025, bride Uwera Bonnette signed an agreement with Château Le Marara to host her wedding with Musemakweri. At that time, hotel rooms were billed at $350 per night, and suites were priced as high as $1000 per night.
Bonnette negotiated discounts due to her large guest list exceeding 250 attendees.
Château Le Marara adjusted rates, reducing a single room from $350 to $220 and lowering the couple’s suite from $1000 to $700 per night.
The wedding spanned three days, incorporating traditional ceremonies. The hotel agreed to cater meals at $30 per guest and offered lodging at $15 per night, including breakfast.
As part of her arrangements, Bonnette reserved 20 hotel rooms for three days but agreed to cover costs for any additional guests. While initially planning for 200 attendees, a surprising 88 additional guests showed up.
Unplanned Additions Fuel Costs: A "White Party" event saw 80 unauthorized attendees, and another 88 appeared during traditional ceremonies. Guests at the White Party each incurred a $35 fee, while ceremony attendees were charged $30. This led Château Le Marara to bill an extra RWF 5 million for the unplanned expenses.
Couple's Demands: Refund and Public Apology
In a letter addressed to Château Le Marara, Musemakweri and Bonnette made several demands:
- A refund for one night’s stay for all guests, alongside 40% of food and drink charges.
- Reparations for reputational damages, citing the attendance of over 40 recognized personalities who collectively hold over 6 million followers across social platforms.
- Compensation for emotional turmoil, noting that their day of joy became a source of distress.
- A public apology addressing issues such as power outages, poor cleanliness, substandard meals, and staff shortages.
- Implementation of improvement measures including reliable generators, sufficient staff, and contingency plans for emergencies.
Miss Naomie Speaks Out: “We Paid, but Felt Uninvited”
Guests expressed their grievances across social media. Miss Naomie stated, “It’s troubling to see a business deliver subpar services then hide behind manipulation to protect its image. Worse yet, resorting to legal threats shows disregard for accountability.”
She added, “Despite paying for everything and bringing our own supplies, no effort was made to ease our discomfort. Apologies without tangible actions are meaningless.”
Jolie Queen: “I Took Over as the Hotel Manager”
Jolie Queen, an expert in international tourism, voiced deep dissatisfaction. “From July 3 to 5, we booked the entire hotel for $220 per room—prices listed on their site as $200. We expected top-notch service in return, but faced disappointment.”
“At the White Dinner Party, Kigali-based guests waited over an hour for drinks as power outages hit. Cooks were unaware they could use gas ovens. I had to give instructions in the kitchen,” she said.
She described the breakfast as unacceptable—spoiled milk, contaminated fruit, and no juices present. “The $35-per-guest charge was daylight robbery. Services couldn’t even match budget guesthouses.”
On the wedding day itself, power interruptions disrupted preparations, decor setup, and makeup application for the bride and groom. Jolie revealed, “Hotel staff knew about the generator issue beforehand but made no fixes. We were forced to seek external assistance and procure necessary tools ourselves.”
Hotel Responds: Château Le Marara Denies Poor Service
On July 14, 2025, Château Le Marara released a statement refuting complaints:
- Concerning outages: While admitting to a blackout on July 3, they claimed services resumed promptly upon resolution.
- On catering quality: They maintained that food and drinks were available per their records.
- Payment disputes: The management denied agreements exempting the couple from payment. They affirmed invoices were issued, citing no objections submitted prior to the couple’s departure.
While rated a five-star facility, Château Le Marara faced heavy criticism for allegedly below-par services provided during the wedding. Attendees insist the experience highlights critical gaps in handling premier events.
Jolie Queen concluded, “Sharing this story is essential. Others must plan wisely to avoid such disappointments.”
Reports suggest that Château Le Marara lodged complaints with Rwanda’s Investigative Bureau (RIB), accusing Musemakweri and Bonnette of damaging its brand while escaping fees exceeding RWF 5 million.
New revelations highlight the couple’s hosting of an unplanned “White Party,” with 80 attendees charged $35 each. Events spanning three nights incurred lodging fees of $15 per guest.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB): Investigation Ongoing
RDB acknowledged the issue via a Twitter statement on July 15, 2025, confirming the launch of investigations.
