In the heart of Jinja City, a vibrant nucleus of activity has taken over as music enthusiasts revel in the Nyege Nyege festival, Africa’s grandest and lengthiest party marathon.
As the four-day carnival reached its zenith yesterday, attendees marked the third day off their Nyege Nyege calendars, undeterred by heavy rains, soggy grounds, and muddy shoes. Day 3 stood out as a unique experience, with stages and activity points hitting their peak despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Saturday, renowned for being the most attended night on the Nyege Nyege calendar, lived up to its reputation as the night of the most electrifying artistic performances. The main stage was a hub of activity, drawing the thickest audience yet, eager to witness performances from the likes of Eddy Kenzo and Sho Madjozi, setting the night apart from anything witnessed so far.
Eddy Kenzo took the stage before Sho Madjozi, captivating the crowd with his hits like “Ssemyekozo” and the recent favourite “Balipila Boda.” The Grammy award nominee’s performance was marked by an intense connection with the audience, reaching a powerful moment when he invited Talent Africa CEO, Aly Alibhai, on stage to express gratitude for his role in highlighting this year’s Nyege Nyege festival.
The night continued with South African sensation Sho Madjozi, who mesmerized the audience with a diverse array of artistic displays, including dance, amapiano, rap, and traditional dance. Her rendition of “John Cena” sent the crowd into a frenzy, proving to be a highlight of the Amapiano sphere.
While the main stage hosted the headline acts, other setups across the venue also buzzed with excitement.
The Smirnoff stage stole the spotlight as the most intense party off the main stage, featuring popular city DJs, MCs, and hype men who electrified the mini-party campus.
DJ Slick Stuart emerged as the star of the night at the Smirnoff stage, spinning mixes for three hours non-stop, turning the stage into a stomping ground where every reveller’s shoes became muddy from ecstatic dancing. His performance answered the question of why he is one of the country’s most sought-after DJs.
Uganda Waragi, the event’s main title sponsor, owned the biggest party ground, proving to be the most sought-after stage experience at the Nyege Nyege festival. DJs, dancers, and MCs kept the music alive from the daytime until the early morning hours.
Despite the rain and muddy grounds, day 3 of Nyege Nyege offered a plethora of options from each stage setup, satisfying the insatiable thirst for dance among the attendees. Day three, the pinnacle of Nyege Nyege, surpassed expectations, delivering a fitting climax to Africa’s most significant music and arts festival.