Kenneth Kigozi of Uganda sold his bike so he could come to Dubai and try his luck.

Kenneth Kigozi was a motocross racer back in Uganda. But sold his bike so he could come to Dubai and try his luck.

He has not totally abandoned the sport. He said getting back on the race track is his “biggest wish.”

“But it’s a very expensive sport. It requires a lot of investment to have sponsors I didn’t have that money,” says Kenneth when asked why he sold his bike for Dubai.

Kenneth, who has been in the UAE for the past seven years, had worked in Sharjah for four years as a building security guard during which he finds time to do some sport activities whenever free.

“I’m personally a sportsman. I can do everything competition wise, even jey-skiing,” he says.

Kenneth, who had been to Nairobi, Kenya twice in 2013 (2)  for a motocross competition, says life is like a race track: “It is full of ups and downs. Sometimes you fall off your bike, but get you get up to be back in the rat race again. 

“In motocross, we have a saying that if you fall down five times, stand up six times. It is never about falling, but rather rising up every time you fall down.”

Aside from being a racer, Kenneth also trains.  “I had some Arab friends who liked my skills and I was like a trainer to them. They even give me a sport bike,” he said.

Kenneth, who describes himself a positive person, says his journey in life started like anyone else’s: “A slow ride, as in your childhood in your life; but as you grow up, you realize you don’t know what comes ahead – it may bring screams of fear or laughter with tears.”

Kenneth these days works as a real-estate broker.

Discover the great taste of Italy this season

Dubai, UAE:  Award-winning Italian restaurant Luigia, located at the Rixos Premium in JBR, has unveiled a new menu filled with hearty dishes and thirst-quenching drinks to savor especially during the summer season.

Fresh and authentic Italian delicacies have been added to the a la carte menu and include starters, pasta, pizza, and mains. Made from fresh Italian ingredients, the team of chefs has created the dishes inspired by the passion, love, and attention to detail of its founder.

The mouthwatering dishes are inspired by food served on Italian tables during summer. Guests wil enjoy the flavorful Linguine al Frutti di Mare with calamari, mussels, red prawns tartare and vongole; Tartare Di Astice, made of lobster tartare with avocado; Tartare Di Gamberi Rossi, with Sicilian red prawns tartare and burrata from Puglia and Insalata di Polpo with octopus, tomato gazpacho, and datterini tomatoes. 

Luigia also launches an aperitivo menu featuring refreshing spritz, curated mocktails and tasty sfizi showcasing Italian spirits and seasonal flavours, perfect for pre-dinner drinks and catch ups with friends and colleagues alike.

All flavors are served in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, making Luigia a destination for friends, families, and visiting relatives who enjoy creating timeless moments together.

For reservations contact +971 (0)4 349 6950, WhatsApp +971 55 4287540 or visit www.luigia.ae.

Founded by Luigi Guarnaccia and Enrico Coppola. Luigia is an elegant yet casual Italian eatery that brings authentic Italian home cooking to Dubai. The Dubai venue has been lovingly brought over from its birthplace of Geneva at the beginning of 2018.

Shehab Eldin Mohamed, the ‘cool dude,’ is happy tourists are back

Shehab Eldin Mohamed, born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, arrived in Dubai two years back and soon after was buckling down to work. But like thousands of expats in the city, he lost his job last year during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

So much was lost that he ended up unable to keep up with his rent, thanks to the room owner, he was able to survive harsh times.

These days, Shehab is almost always in all smiles. Working at a travel agency, things have started to get back to normal.

“My journey in life is to work and fight for a better life,” says Shehab, who indulges himself to Turkish coffee in the morning before going to work.

His job, Shehab says, has made him realize he has nothing else to hold on to in life.

Having been in Kuwait City and Doha, Shehab says Dubai is “really expensive.”

“But we deal with it,” he said.

Greetings pour in as the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai turns 72  

Today, July 15, Thursday is the birthday of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In light of this, endless birthday wishes pour in on social media as the ruler, born on  July 15, 1949, at the Al Maktoum family home in Shindagha by the banks of Dubai Creek, turns 72.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid  ascended to the throne in January 2006. Under his watch, Dubai’s development accelerated by leaps and bound, turning the city into a most-preferred place for expats around the world to work in, citing safety, security, stability and state-of-the-art digital infrastructure.

Ganesh Shinde of Thane, India, won the jackpot with ticket number 0207 in Millennium Millionaire Series 363.

A seafarer from India, who was on vacation while standing by for his return to Brazil where he is employed, has won a life-changing $1 million at the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) raffle.

Ganesh Shinde, 36 and a father to one child, won the jackpot ticket number 0207 in DDF’s Millennium Millionaire Series 363.

The 36-year-old father of one is currently on vacation while waiting for his deployment in Brazil where he works.

“This is such a great opportunity. I’m very happy and thankful to Dubai Duty Free,” local media quoted Shinde, who is from Thane in India, as saying.

According to a Khaleej Times report, Shinde is the 181st Indian national to have won $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indian nationals make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers. (Photo supplied) 

Stellamaris Kioko of Kenya’s Kamba tribe hopes to one day have her own fashion label.

Stellamaris Kioko gets up early, shakes off the sleepy head in her and starts going about her morning ritual of prayer, a quick shower and a cup of coffee.

“Then I’m off to work,” she says. 

It’s her daily grind, if you will, and she really doesn’t mind, she said.

Stella, as her peers fondly call her, arrived in Dubai two years ago to try her luck in the city. A high school graduate, Stella speaks good conversational English.  She works as a sales staff at a fashion clothing store.

What keeps her going? “My job and my family back home,” Stella says.

“Since I was young, I have always liked fashion and beauty. So, I find it easy assisting customers in choosing their desired clothing; and it’s always my happiness seeing them walk out with their face full of joy,” says Stella, mother of a 17-year-old lass in Kenya.

Stella said she believes she would have been a fashion designer herself. Launching her label and opening a fashion house, she says, is always in her mind.

“Yes, that will be my future business, in God’s will,” said Stella.

Stella said her life has not been easy, “but I keep on hoping that one day I will achieve my dreams.”

Hers is the story of most of Dubai’s everyday people – the ones you see at the store, or sitting next to the Nol card window at the metro; the waiter at the restaurant…the sweaty Indian guy at the shawarma café…the Nepalese at a Carrefour counter…and more.

“I like my work very much,” says Stella, adding that she especially like interacting with customers.

“Engaging different people in a conversation makes my day easy, and the fact that I am far from my family, sharing smiles with them makes me feel as if I am home; my job is my second home,” says Stella.

Dubai is her first city away from Kenya and she loves the place.

“I can confidently say Dubai is my second home. The security makes us feel confident about our safety,” she says.

But, you can’t have your cake and eat it too; Stella says housing in the city centers is expensive. Can’t complain though because she makes up for it by unwinding at Dubai’s marina area on weekends or during day-offs.

“It’s a breathtaking place. The view and all… beautiful place to relax your mind,” she says.

The Kamba tribe is one of the largest ethnic group in Kenya. There is a small community of Kenyans in Dubai.

From being tailors to designers and finally, to having their own label, Aaron shares the secret to their success, saying it did not happen overnight.

Aaron and Ahquiben Cadenas were dreamers, who believe it was not enough to just dream big.

They knew they had start somewhere; and so at 15, while most boys their age were indulging themselves in fun things, the two left their hometown in Bohol –  parents and nine siblings behind, too – and took their chances in the big city, Manila. It was 2007.

“Working as assistants to a fashion designer,” recalls Aaron, “we discovered our talents in designing.”

And so began the twins’ narrative about success stories often having roots in humble beginnings.

They soon were working for a company producing clothing apparel for big brand names like Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan New York, among others.

“That gave us an idea and the determination to go abroad. It was 2012,” said Aaron, now 30. 

He added: “I arrived in UAE on February 22, 2012 and worked as a tailor operator in Ajman. It was my humble beginning and by grace, I was promoted as assistant fashion designer.”

Three years later, Ahquiben – or Ahqui as the twins’ circle of friends calls him – would join Aaron and the two would work together in boutiques and various big name couturiers; Aaron as assistant designer and Ahqui as tailor, with both eventually levelling up as fashion designers having various stints including one for a royal family.

This chapter in the twins’ lives had a lasting impact on their career. “It enabled us to grow by leaps in the fashion industry,” says Aaron.

Until finally, the inevitable happened: The twins launched their own label –  Aaronic Atelier.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Looking back, Aaron said he had come to a point where he almost lost hope. 

“However, I believe that no matter what you’ve gone through or are going through, you must move on. The world does not stop for you. But the beauty of it is that it also always beams a ray of hope. Likewise, don’t lose faith in God,” says Aaron.

The twins don’t stop dreaming big.

“In few years’ time,” Aaron said, “we will go back to our family and bring our own brand, Aaronic Atelier, to the Philippines, starting it in our hometown Bohol. 

“We also want to open a school, where we could share our knowledge to the younger generation who are dreaming of being in the fashion industry,” said Aaron.

With a tentative opening in August at Fashion Avenue Dubai Mall, this concept has been eagerly awaited by customers.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Called Social Café by OPSO, the venue scheduled for an August 2021 opening will be recognized as a place for affluence as the menu and offering has been created to ensure every plate is interactive and highly Instagrammable using latest trends and techniques with the very best of ingredients. Each dish has been carefully created by some of the best pastry chefs in town considering local trends and combinations.

The pastry kitchen will be in full view of the customers showcasing a range of delicacies made fresh every morning on site which sets this café apart. This same approach is used when creating a fantastic range of specialty coffees and beverages, floral tea selections, artisanal sandwiches, and freshly baked pastries.

“The Social Café by OPSO Design will attract a chic crowd who are looking for a beautiful place to unwind and socialise while enjoying great food and beverage. The open-kitchen concept at Social Café offers a theatrical touch, allowing diners to see how the culinary team creates dishes and crafted drinks, beautifully presented to satisfy one’s palate,” says  OPSO Operations Director Mark Taquet.

The café’s modern and slight feminine design is as impressive as Opso restaurant’s terrace views of the iconic Dubai Fountain where you can enjoy a savoury breakfast options, again produced with the freshest of ingredients, all made in house.

“OPSO Dubai has been at the forefront of the food scene in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue for more than two years now. We have been creating exciting new dishes based on the local market preference and trends, which have proven extremely popular with our customers. With so many generic styles of cafes opening, we knew we had an amazing opportunity with Social Café. Our offering brings together everything you would expect from one of the best cafes here in Dubai,” adds Faisal Al Mandil, Managing Partner, Rafid Gourmet.

The new venue will be open daily from 10:00 am to 12:00 am and has a seating capacity of 60 that ranges from comfortable lounge areas to relaxed table seating.