Nyege Nyege Festival, one of East Africa’s premier music and arts festivals, is set to return for its 8th edition, taking place from November 9th to 12th, 2023, at Nyege Wonderland, located at the Source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda. Known for its eclectic lineup and vibrant celebration of contemporary and traditional East African music, this year’s festival is poised to be the most captivating and diverse edition to date.
The festival’s reputation for showcasing talent from across Africa and beyond holds true once again. Among the headliners, South African sensation Sho Madjozi, known for her chart-topping hit “Proud,” will grace the main stage. The legendary South African rock band BLK JKS, renowned for their afropunk rock, will also make a significant presence, continuing the festival’s tradition of bringing diverse musical genres to the forefront.
Representing Uganda and Kenya, artists like Eddy Kenzo, Apass, Janzi Band, Karol Kasita, and Kenya’s genge superstar Mejja will showcase their talents on the main stage. Additionally, the festival will feature East African trap representatives, Boutross and Bushali, representing Swahili Trap and Kinyatrap, respectively.
Nyege Nyege is also dedicated to introducing lesser-known talents to the global stage. Artists like Jemaima Sanyu, Olith Ratego, Ratigan Era, and Aunty Rayzor are set to make their mark at the festival.
In keeping with its tradition, Nyege Nyege will immerse festivalgoers in an array of electronic music genres, featuring artists from various African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Mali, Malawi, Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Algeria, South Sudan, Angola, Mauritius, Saint Lucia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The festival will showcase unique African electronic music sounds, including singeli, electro Acholi, amapiano, cruisebeat, afrohouse, gqom, gengetone, kuduro, dennery segment, bubbling, balani show, congotekno, naijapiano, afrotech, and more.
Special international guests, such as Mexican-Colombian Reggaeton Queen Rosa Pistola, South Korean Club alchemist Net Gala, and Mauritius’s premier DJ Greg, will join the lineup. Returning favorites like DJ Marcelle, Moesha13, Tash LC, and Mika Oki will also add their unique flavors to the festival’s diverse musical offerings.
Nyege Nyege co-founder and Queen Kampire will return from touring the world to close the festival, marking the end of an unforgettable four-day experience.
In addition to music, the festival will celebrate traditional Ugandan music with living masters performing along the Nile. This year, Nyege Nyege extends its reach by inviting a group from Comoros Islands.
The festival will also shine a spotlight on DIY music culture with rare performances by Bebson de la Rue, the grandfather of DIY instruments from Kinshasa, and Afrorack, known for building his own synths. Decimal Point, another DIY enthusiast, will showcase his unique set up.
Kakuma Sound, a project initiated by Nyege Nyege in 2018, will bring traditional Burundian drums to the festival. The group will highlight the importance of culture and traditions in preserving cultural heritage, particularly among displaced people in refugee camps.
While the festival predominantly features African acts, a select few international artists have been invited to join collaborative residencies in the Nyege Nyege studios. These acts include experimental hip-hop outfit Muovipussi from Finland, Model Home from Washington DC, Judgiztu from France, and Yuri from Japan.
For the first time, the festival will introduce the HAKUNA KULALA stage, the BUSOGA stage, and the Sudanese Pavilion. Nyegeversity, a campus favorite, will also make its return.
Beyond music, the festival offers a diverse range of activities, including a theater showcasing African cinema, the Nyege East African Emporium featuring unique brands and creatives from the region, food courts featuring Uganda’s best establishments, thrilling rides, photo booths, boat trips, wellness areas with fitness and yoga, and more.
Early bird full festival passes are available at 160,000 Ugandan Shillings, offering great value for attendees. Accommodation options are available in Jinja, but festivalgoers are encouraged to book early due to high demand. Over 400 vendors have applied to set up shop at the festival, reflecting the significant boost Nyege Nyege brings to the local economy and its status as Uganda’s most renowned event, attracting tourists from across the region and around the world.
This year, the festival will enhance safety measures by relying on smaller camping setups within existing hotel grounds, discontinuing on-site camping. Additionally, the introduction of “Nyege Nyege Angels” aims to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees.
For more information and ticket details, visit www.nyegenyege.com.
