Africa’s biggest music bash, the Uganda Waragi Nyege Nyege Festival, is back on November 14-17, and it’s bringing a fresh twist this year. Meet the “Afrogalactic Carnival” and a new daytime lineup called “Nyege In The City,” which is all about giving festival-goers a real taste of Jinja City’s culture. Expect more than music; this lineup promises tours, dining spots, river activities on the Nile, and local sights for a truly Ugandan adventure.
In its ninth year, the festival has reimagined the experience to include daily city-based activities, while festival grounds stay closed each morning for security checks. By 3 p.m., the main grounds open up again, ready to roll into the evening’s events.
Organizers teamed up with the Jinja City Authority to drive real benefits for the city, pulling in local businesses to cater to festival-goers. According to Uganda Breweries’ Mainstream Spirits Marketing Manager Francis Nyende, “Uganda Waragi is excited to show off the best of Uganda—from Jinja’s heritage and music to food, culture, and fashion.” He also mentioned that Uganda Waragi will keep the energy going with its Lemon and Ginger flavors, a festival staple that represents the dynamic crowd.
The main evening festivities at Jinja Golf Course will be held on festival grounds crafted for an intense, high-energy vibe. Highlights include the Dark Star Stage for Africa’s boldest experimental acts, the Spirit of Uganda Stage celebrating Uganda’s cultural diversity, the Reggae Stage headlined by Jamaica’s Cali P, and crowd favorites like the main stage and Hakuna Kulala.
CEO of Uganda Waragi Nyege Nyege, Derek Debru, emphasized the festival’s mission to spotlight Uganda’s creative scene by showcasing emerging talent and teaming up with regional cultural festivals and dance troupes. The lineup includes over ten dance troupes, top DJs, and artists from all over the world.
This year’s daytime program, Nyege In The City, is a partnership with Talent Africa Group. CEO Aly Alibhai explained, “We’re collaborating with Jinja City and local businesses to create a safe, vibrant city experience that helps attendees dive deeper into the essence of Jinja and Uganda.”
This year’s lineup features a mix of African and global acts. Look out for Teso star Patrick Atude, the Batwa Dance Group, Otim Alpha, the Burundi Cultural Drummers, Soweto’s RMBO, and a variety of other musicians and performers.
Tickets are up for grabs at nyegenyege.com.
