Security officials have granted permission for Jinja Club to host the 9th edition of the Nyege Nyege Festival, one of East Africa’s largest music and arts gatherings, amid vocal opposition from religious leaders in Uganda’s Busoga region.
Police Director of Operations, Frank Mwesigwa, and UPDF 1st Division Commander Brig. Stephano Mugerwa led a team of security personnel, including members from the Special Forces Command and Internal Security Organizations, in a site inspection.
Following their assessment, Mwesigwa announced that sufficient security measures would be implemented to safeguard festival attendees.
Despite the festival’s significant popularity, religious leaders in Busoga have voiced concerns over its impact on local values, claiming it promotes immorality, witchcraft, and promiscuity.
These leaders argue that the event conflicts with their mission to uphold moral standards within the community.
However, some local stakeholders, including representatives from the Busoga Kingdom, see the festival as beneficial.
Andrew Ntange, spokesperson for the Busoga Kingdom, highlighted the positive economic impact of Nyege Nyege.
“We urge those who think it is full of immorality not to attend,” Ntange remarked, adding that past editions disproved allegations of immoral behavior.
“Initially, we opposed it, but we’ve found no evidence of immorality as some detractors claim.”
Jinja’s Resident City Commissioner, Richard Gulume, also emphasized the festival’s economic benefits, noting that it attracts thousands of local and international visitors, providing a significant economic boost to the area.
“The event is a substantial opportunity for local businesses to make money,” Gulume said, urging locals to leverage the gathering for business connections and growth, rather than solely as an entertainment opportunity.
The festival is scheduled to take place from Thursday November 14 to Sunday November 17, 2024.
