She was born in 1975 in Brussels, the daughter of Rwandan exiles.[1] As a child, Karemara excelled at mathematics and dreamed of opening a bakery.[2] Karemera studied at the National Conservatory of Theater and Dance in Brussels. In 1994, her father, a journalist, returned to Belgium as a result of the Rwandan Genocide.[3] Karemera first discovered Rwanda on a motorcycle in 1996.[1] She performed in several plays, such as The Trojan Women by Euripides, The Ghost Woman by Kay Adshead, and Anathema, before starting her film career.[2] Between 2000 and 2004, she played the leading role in Rwanda 94. Her uncle, Jean-Marie Muyango, composed the score for the show.[3]