Uganda’s Nyege Nyege Festival has been issued a series of guidelines by the country’s government ahead of its 2022 edition, which takes place this weekend.
The government has shared seven measures with organisers and attendees which it says will "ensure the festival doesn’t breach Uganda’s laws and cultural/moral norms." Among those guidelines is a total ban on vulgar language, songs, expressions and gestures at the event.
People under the age of 18 will not be allowed to attend the festival, while nudity, narcotic drugs and sex orgies are also listed as being prohibited. Government officials and security personnel will be granted "the right of impromptu entry" in order to monitor activities, with any breaches of the measures set to result in sanctions, prosecution or a potential complete closure of the festival.
The measures have been issued following the raising of concerns about Nyege Nyege Festival by members of Uganda’s government. One MP, Sarah Opendi, called it "a breeding ground for sexual immorality" and called for the event’s license to be taken away.
The country’s parliament did briefly shut the festival down in response last week, but Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja overturned that decision provided that the festival followed new guidelines. Uganda’s tourism minister, Martin Mugarra, had continually described the festival as a "hub of tourism" in the meantime, throwing his support behind it going ahead.
This year’s event sees the festival move to a new, bigger site at Itanda Falls on the banks of the River Nile. Nyege Nyege affiliates such as Kampire, MC Yallah and DJ Travella are all listed to play, in addition to guests such as Juliana Huxtable, DJ Marcelle, Zoë Mc Pherson and Low Jack.
Nyege Nyege Festival will take place from September 15 to 18, 2022.
