UGANDA:IS NYEGE NYEGE FESTIVAL A SUSTAINABLE AND PROFITABLE FORM OF CULTURAL TOURISM?

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda’s article examines whether the Nyege Nyege festival can be considered a sustainable and profitable form of cultural tourism in Uganda. The piece places the event within a broader discussion of tourism, noting Uganda’s wide range of natural and cultural attractions and the importance of the tourism sector to the economy. It also cites general definitions of cultural tourism and argues that festivals, heritage sites, pilgrimages, arts, cuisine, and community-based experiences all fall within that category.

The report says Nyege Nyege began in 2013 as a Kampala-based collective founded by Arlen Dilisizian and Derek Debru to promote African and global music, artist residencies, performances, and record labels. It states that the festival has been held annually in Jinja along the River Nile since 2014, with venues including Itanda Falls in Jinja District. The article also highlights its mix of local and international performers and mentions recognition from organizations such as the Uganda Tourism Board and media outlets abroad.

According to the article, the festival has drawn large crowds in recent years, including about 12,000 attendees in 2022 and more than 60,000 at a later edition held at Itanda Falls. It says the event was disrupted during the Covid-19 period, when physical attendance was not allowed and activities shifted online. The broader point made by the author is that the festival may help Uganda market itself as a cultural destination while generating income for the tourism and hospitality sectors.

As background, cultural festivals can support local jobs, transport, accommodation, food services, and arts promotion, though their long-term sustainability often depends on stable funding, security, and community support.