After smaller festival editions in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin and over 500 shows around the world, Nyege Nyege returns to its roots at the Source of the Nile, to welcome revelers from around the world to showcase some the most exciting musicians from the Continent.
Last year’s majestic Itanda Falls proved to be too far and complicated, and this year
organizers promise to match the quality of the arts and the entertainment with cutting edge
production, sound, safety and comfort of all guests.
“Over the past five years, Nyege Nyege has grown exponentially in size and influence, and has
gained a reputation for platforming experimental sounds of the Ugandan and wider Sub-Saharan
African underground” DAZED
“acclaimed party-turned-festival-turned-record label providing a global platform for contemporary
pan-African dance music” CRACK
“Techno, soukous, abstract electronics – the Nyege Nyege collective draws from the cultural
melting pot of Kampala’s music scene. But unlike other European visitors, it also gives something
back” The Guardian
“Electronic music is booming in East Africa, and a small collective based in Kampala is at the heart
of it all” Resident Advisor
“utopic temporary autonomous zone” Pan African Music
“Le festival le plus punk du monde” Mixmag France
Nyege Nyege, Africa’s essential music and arts festival, returns for its 8th edition in an exciting
new location. Upon the invitation of the Mayor of Jinja and the Jinja City Council, Nyege Nyege
will take place on three conjoined sites: The Jinja Golf Course, Source of the Nile and the Jinja
Showground. With over 300 hotels, the city will provide accommodation for all guests just
minutes away from the venue. The safety and comfort of all artists and revelers will be a top
priority, and camping will no longer be provided on site but smaller, safe and comfortable
campsites will be set up by partnering hotels.
In 2022, after a 3 year hiatus and entering a new site at Itanda Falls, the new site proved to be
too inconvenient for the logistics of production and for revelers alike, bad weather and roads led
the organizers to search for a new and better home until the day Itanda rises again.
With over 500 shows internationally, the festival and its associated labels and collective have
defined the vanguard of new sounds emerging from the Continent and the festival is widely
considered to be the greatest showcase of traditional and contemporary African music in the
world, attracting music fans and industry movers and shakers to come and discover new music
genres, breakthrough artists and blossoming talents at every edition. This year the festival will
start with a 2 day music conference (November 7th and 8th) for artists and east African industry
players to connect and learn in order to strengthen the East African music industry through
workshops, networking sessions and showcases.
The line-up will be announced in September but will include East Africa’s most exciting new acts,
as well as artists from music power houses such as Nigeria, South Africa and Brazil. Styles and
genres will cover the diversity of African sounds, from South African amapiano to Nigerian
cruise beat, from afrobeats to gengetone, dancehall, singeli, soukous and more. A real treat for
the ears, the mind, the soul and the body.
This year the whole city of Jinja will take part in the festival, by working with local businesses,
hotels, artists, builders and volunteers, this year’s edition will be a real showcase in community
involvement, and how music festivals can spark the imagination and dedication of an entire
community and boost the local economy in order to leave a positive impact.
This year's Nyegenye reverllers will have a feel of the Source of The Nile.
This year again Nyege Nyege will partner with Uganda’s leading event production company
Talent Africa who has been with the festival since its second edition and with its long-term
sponsor Uganda Breweries, who will host 3 distinct experiences, in addition to a new Hakuna
Kulala stage going on for a 96H music and performance marathon and comprising both live acts,
DJs and dance and theatre performances. The festival will once again showcase the diversity of
Ugandan traditional music with traditional acts coming from all over the country as well as
Burundi, Tanzania and Comoros.
The festival runs a year-long music residency and community space where musicians and
creatives from all over the continent can meet and create together. Harnessing that energy, the
festival has evolved from a small party into the most adventurous festival on the continent - a
party no Ugandan can miss. Despite past challenges of rain and government shutdown, the
festival has never drifted from its vision; in 2023 Nyege Nyege aims to inspire and amaze even
more.
Tickets available at MOOKH.COM
More info at www.nyegenyege.com
QUOTES
“Nyege23 is bringing something interesting and this time we are working with the whole city to
create a unique festival experience that will involve experiences for everyone.The festival will be a
real showcase of community involvement, and how music festivals can spark the imagination and
dedication of an entire community and boost the local economy to leave a positive impact.” - Derek
Debru, the Co-founder of Nyege Nyege
Source Garden Hotel
‘’The upcoming festival promises an unforgettable adventure for everyone, and we're eagerly
anticipating your presence at the Uganda Waragi Corner, where we'll truly immerse ourselves in
the celebration of Ugandan culture, Bell Lager Enjoyments and a unique Smirnoff Rave experience.
To us, Nyege Nyege is a demonstration of our purpose as a business – which is to celebrate life while
growing with Uganda. With that, I encourage you all to secure your tickets early and prepare to
have a memorable experience. ‘’ – Robert Nsibirwa, Marketing Manager – UBL Spirits
"We're incredibly thrilled to be part of this journey once again, and we've dedicated the past couple
of months to crafting an exceptional festival experience for everyone to enjoy. For this edition,
we're taking it to a whole new level – stages will be spread across the entire city. Get ready for an
unparalleled adventure in the Nyege Wonderland." - Aly Allibhai, CEO, Talent Africa Group
"We've had instances where certain groups falsely influenced our decision to pause the event, but
rest assured, Nyege Nyege will proceed without interruption this time around. The government is
fully aware of Nyege Nyege, and we're committed to ensuring it takes place smoothly and on
schedule." - Darius Nandinda, RCC, Jinja District
‘’The 2022 festival generated temporary and permanent employment opportunities for hundreds in
the region.The event led to the improvement in local infrastructures e.g. roads were improved,
power (Umeme) and piped safe water were extended to Itanda community and surrounding areas.
Nyege Nyege is not just a festival; it's a movement that propels the socioeconomic and cultural
aspirations of the Busoga Kingdom and Uganda forward. We eagerly wait to partake in this
unforgettable experience and warmly welcome you all to #Nyege23 ‘’ – Hellen Namutamba,
Tourism Minister, Busoga Kingdom
‘’I extend a heartfelt invitation to the community of Jinja to embrace the festival as an avenue for
economic prosperity. This is a chance for us to unite and demonstrate the warmth of our city to
visitors from all corners.To the rest of the world coming to Nyege Nyege in November, rest assured,
we have meticulously addressed security measures to provide an atmosphere of absolute safety.
Come join us for a memorableNyege Nyege experience!" – Kasolo Peter Alton, Mayor of Jinja City.
