A few days to Nyege Nyege festival, the Busoga prayers organized by the Busoga consortium for development in Luuka district had Rt Rev Hannington Ssubi, Bishop of Busoga East criticizing the Nyege Nyege festival.
There is an annual event called Nyege Nyege. It gives Busoga bad publicity. We condemn it and it shouldn’t happen in Busoga again,” he said.
After his submissions, the first deputy prime minister Rebecca Kadaga who was in attendance defended the festival saying it boosts economic and tourism contribution to the region.
“The entrance fee for Nyege Nyege is shs300,000. Which child in Busoga can afford that? Let’s not misrepresent facts,” she said also emphasizing the significance benefits the festival brings including hotel occupancy in Jinja, Iganga and Njeru among other surrounding areas.
To assert her support to the festival, Kadaga was the guest of honour during the festival that climaxed on Sunday.
Accompanied by Busoga Tourism Minister Hellen Namutamba Olga and several government officials, including the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and the chiefs of Busoga, Kadaga was warmly welcomed by showgoers as she toured the festival. She visited various stages and commended the festival organizers for their efforts in promoting tourism in the Busoga region.
She also expressed her gratitude to the festival’s participants for the exceptional entertainment they provide. She pledged to continue advocating for the festival every year, emphasizing that it plays a significant role in promoting both Uganda and the Busoga region.
“I want to start by thanking the Government and security agencies for keeping the security and making sure you are happy, making sure you are safe and enjoying your lives. Then I want to thank Talent Africa for choosing Uganda. On the continent, there are 54 countries but they chose Uganda so I want to thank them for choosing Uganda year after year and I want you to make it bigger and bigger.” She said.
The 9th edition of the Nyege Nyege festival which commenced on Thursday has been an unforgettable experience for holidaymakers, tourists and revelers alike.
