Uganda’s internationally acclaimed Nyege Nyege Festival will be held outside Jinja for the first time in its decade-long history. Organisers have announced that the 2025 edition will take place at a new venue: Adrift Overland Camp, overlooking the scenic Kalagala Falls in Kayunga District.
The festival, themed “Ekiggunda Ky’omuliro: The Gathering of the Flame,” will run from Thursday, 20 November to Sunday, 23 November 2025. It marks a new chapter for an event that began in 2015 as a small music and arts gathering and has since evolved into one of Africa’s most dynamic cultural showcases.
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Last year’s edition was staged at the Jinja Golf Course and Source of the Nile under a special “Nyege in the City” programme that integrated performances and activities across Jinja City. This year’s relocation to Kayunga is being described by organisers as both a symbolic and practical expansion of the festival’s vision.
“It’s not just about moving the venue—it’s about elevating the experience,” one organiser told the BBC. “Kalagala offers a unique blend of nature, music, and spiritual energy.”
The new location will feature six stages and host more than 300 artists. According to the festival’s website, the programme will include music, fashion, film screenings, and culinary experiences, with a continued focus on boundary-pushing African creativity.
Nyege Nyege—derived from a Luganda phrase referring to an uncontrollable urge to dance—has earned a reputation for blending traditional, electronic, and experimental sounds. Its impact goes beyond entertainment, contributing significantly to Uganda’s creative economy and tourism sector.
Tourism officials estimate that the event draws over 15,000 attendees annually, including international visitors who contribute to the local economy through spending on accommodation, transport, crafts, and other services.
However, the festival has not been without controversy. In recent years, it has faced backlash from conservative politicians and religious leaders who accuse it of promoting immorality and drug use—claims organisers have repeatedly rejected. A temporary ban in 2018 was lifted after presidential intervention, but subsequent editions have continued under tight scrutiny and public debate.
Despite the challenges, Nyege Nyege has continued to grow, previously moving from Nile Discovery Beach in Njeru to Itanda Falls and adding satellite stages in the surrounding region. The 2025 move to Kalagala Falls is expected to open a new chapter in the festival’s story while maintaining its roots in cultural innovation and artistic freedom.
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