Jinja: Hundreds of revellers from around the world gathered at the vibrant Nyege Nyege Festival, which was filled with high enthusiasm and excitement.
The four-day festival, held at the Golf Course Club in Jinja City, was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga. The event, which was criticized by some religious leaders, drew large crowds and was an important cultural highlight for the region.
The festival kicked off on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and concluded on Sunday. It reached its peak on Saturday when Kadaga, who has consistently supported the event, attended and addressed the crowd.
“I want to thank the authorities at Talent Africa for choosing Uganda to host this event year after year,” said the excited Kadaga on Saturday night while speaking to the revellers.
Kadaga reassured both local and international attendees, saying, “Uganda is safe, and we have enough accommodation facilities to host you.”
Despite criticism from some clergy who condemn the festival as immoral, Kadaga emphasized that the event is a tourism initiative that draws both local and international visitors.
“I am inviting you, on behalf of the President, to visit Uganda’s tourist sites,” said Kadaga, who represents Kamuli District in Parliament. She was accompanied by Hellen Namutumba, the Minister for Tourism in the Busoga Kingdom.
Kadaga also commended the heightened security at the festival, which was a joint effort by Uganda’s security forces at the Source of the Nile in Jinja City. The increased security came after a visit by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abass Byakagaba, who was represented by the Director of Police Operations, Frank Mwesigwa, before the event began.
This is the ninth edition of the Nyege Nyege Festival, an annual celebration that attracts local, national, and international performers from a variety of genres.
Like many large-scale events, the festival has a unique format, running for four days with revellers camping by the Nile and often wearing minimal clothing.
The festival also provides a temporary but significant economic boost, especially to the transport sector. For instance, boda-boda riders charge up to four times the regular fare to transport people to the festival site. Additionally, food and drinks, including beer, are sold at higher prices, with entry tickets starting at UGX 150,000 and increasing for premium access.
Hotels in Jinja, Iganga, Njeru, and nearby areas are fully booked during the event, with prices on menus hiked to match the high demand.
Despite the festival’s success and popularity, there remains a question surrounding the event: What is behind the Nyege Nyege Festival? This remains a point of contention for those who oppose it without having participated in it.
