Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs is slated to officially opens the eighth edition of the Uganda Waragi Nyege Nyege festival on Thursday 9th November 2023 in Jinja.
in partnership with the city of Jinja, the festival is being held up to 12th November. This is to maximise the opportunities that will accrue to the city, its people, and the region of Busoga according to Jinja officials.
Kadaga has previously been recognized by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Gabula IV for her support towards the development and promotion of Busoga Kingdom affairs in the country and on the global scene.
“Nyege Nyege is the only festival that earns both direct and indirect incomes for traders within the Busoga subregion and further called upon the people of Busoga to always promote their heritage with pride.” she added.
It’s been 8 years since Nyege nyege festival started and has been documented as well as promoting the traditional musical heritage of Uganda. The festival is one of the country’s biggest examples of cultural and tourism because of attracting thousands of local, regional, and international visitors to Jinja and the wider Busoga region every year. Organisers say approximately 13,000 attended in 2019 and approximately 15,000 in 2022.
Since participates of the festival increase annually, 2023 year’s edition will be held at a combined space of about 50 acres covering the Source of the Nile; Jinja Showgrounds; Jinja Golf Course and; Source Gardens and will feature a dedicated Kingdom Stage with traditional performances from over 25 artists from Busoga including Crazy MC, Skool Feez, Cool Demus, Swabra Kiss, Street 5 and many more.
The festival is sponsored by Uganda Waragi – a product of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) – which is popularly known as the Spirit of Uganda and “recognizes and celebrates all the things that are uniquely and authentically Ugandan.”
