Kadaga to officially open Nyege Nyege festival

The eighth edition of the Nyege Nyege festival is set to kick off on Thursday, November 9th, 2023, in Jinja.

 Among those expected to grace the opening day events is Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, who will grace the event with her official opening.

This festival, staring from November 9th to 12th, has established a significant partnership with the city of Jinja.

This collaboration aims to create opportunities that will benefit not only the city and its residents but also the broader Busoga region.

Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has been previously honored by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Gabula IV, for her unwavering commitment to advancing the development and recognition of Busoga Kingdom affairs both nationally and on the global stage.

For Hon. Kadaga, the Nyege Nyege festival holds a special place as it serves as a remarkable platform that generates both direct and indirect incomes for the traders within the Busoga sub regions. She encourages the people of Busoga to take pride in their rich heritage and promote it.

Since its genesis in 2015, the Nyege Nyege festival has become a significant contributor to preserving Uganda's traditional musical heritage. It has evolved into a flagship example of cultural and festival tourism within the country.

The festival draws thousands of attendees, including locals, regional tourists, and international visitors to Jinja and the broader Busoga region every year, with attendance reaching approximately 13,000 in 2019 and approximately 15,000 in 2022.

This year's edition will be happening across a vast 50-acre space, encompassing the Source of the Nile Jinja Showground’s, Jinja Golf Course, and Source Gardens. Notably, there will be a dedicated Kingdom Stage featuring traditional performances by more than 25 artists from Busoga, including acts like Crazy MC, Skool Feez, Cool Demus, Swabra Kiss, Street 5, and many others.

 The Nyege Nyege festival sponsored by Uganda waragi continues to be a vibrant celebration of Uganda's heritage, bringing together diverse audiences to appreciate and cherish the nation's rich cultural tapestry.