The Muslim community in Jinja City is calling for the cancellation of the annual Nyege Nyege music festival, labelling it as “immoral.” Scheduled to commence on November 9 in Jinja City, this international music extravaganza requires attendees to pay Shs120,000 per day for the three-day event.
Sheikh Ismail Basoga Adi, the Jinja District Khadi, expressed strong reservations about the festival, asserting that while it may bring financial benefits to many Ugandans, its content promotes immorality, particularly among the youth. He questioned the decision to move the event from Buikwe District to Jinja City, implying that those familiar with the festival’s activities might have concerns.
Derick Debru, an organizer from Talent Africa, disclosed that several prominent venues in Jinja, including the Source of River Nile, Jinja showground, Source Garden Hotel, Nile Park, and part of the Golf Course grounds, had been secured to host the festival.
This is not the first time Nyege Nyege has faced opposition. Last year, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among sought to have it cancelled, citing concerns about its impact on morality, a claim disputed by the festival’s organizers.
Despite the controversy, some public figures, including Jinja Resident City Commissioner Darius Nandinda, have expressed their support for the annual music festival. Hellen Namutamba, the Busoga Kingdom Minister for Tourism, also emphasized the positive aspects of the festival, such as providing local residents with opportunities to showcase Busoga culture to international participants.
The four-day Nyege festival brings together artists from across Africa to entertain around 10,000 revelers.
