The highly anticipated eighth edition of the Uganda Waragi Nyege Nyege festival is set to kick off with the distinguished presence of the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga. The festival is scheduled to commence on Thursday, November 9, 2023, and run until November 12, 2023, in the scenic city of Jinja.
This vibrant cultural celebration, held in partnership with the city of Jinja, is not only an eagerly awaited event but also a platform to harness opportunities for the city, its residents, and the broader Busoga region.
Kadaga’s commitment and support towards the development and promotion of Busoga Kingdom affairs have been recognized by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Gabula IV.
Expressing her stance on the festival, Kadaga has reiterated the significance of Nyege Nyege in generating both direct and indirect income for traders within the Busoga subregion. She continually emphasizes the importance of embracing and showcasing pride in the rich heritage of the people of Busoga.
Since its inception in 2015, the festival has been a platform to document and showcase Uganda’s traditional musical heritage, emerging as the country’s foremost example of cultural and festival tourism. It consistently draws in a significant number of attendees, attracting thousands of local, regional, and international visitors to Jinja and the wider Busoga region each year. Notably, around 13,000 attended in 2019, and approximately 15,000 in 2022.
This year’s edition will encompass an expansive area of about 50 acres, encompassing the Source of the Nile, Jinja Showgrounds, Jinja Golf Course, and Source Gardens. It will prominently feature a dedicated Kingdom Stage, hosting traditional performances from over 25 artists hailing from Busoga.
Among the artists set to perform are notable names like Crazy MC, Skool Feez, Cool Demus, Swabra Kiss, Street 5, and many others.
The event aims to acknowledge and celebrate everything that embodies the uniqueness and authenticity of Uganda.
The upcoming edition of the Uganda Waragi Nyege Nyege festival is anticipated to be a vibrant celebration of Ugandan culture and heritage, uniting diverse performances and activities for attendees to enjoy and experience.