Muslim clerics in Jinja City have requested that the government cancel the November 2023 Nyege Nyege music festival because it is unethical and immoral.
According to Jinja District Khadi, Sheikh Ismail Basoga Adi, the celebration is a violation of all Islamic principles, even though it gives Ugandans a lot of money and publicity.
“Things that are being done at Nyege Nyege do not set good examples, especially for the young generation. It generates a lot of money, but promotes immorality in society,” Sheikh said.
He said this while speaking at a fundraising event for Busoga Women Muslim Daawa and Development Association in Jinja.
However, Jinja leaders led by Darius Nandinda, the Jinja Resident City Commissioner in August 2023 declared their commitment to the festival’s success, saying they would not entertain people who were against Nyege Nyege.
“We’ve survived prior attempts to put an end to this event, but this time Nyege Nyege will go on as scheduled. The festival has the support of the government, which is committed to seeing it through,” Nandinda said.
The annual international music festival is set to kick off on November 9th–12th, 2023, at three conjoined sites along the Nile River: the Jinja Golf Course, Source of the Nile, and the Jinja Showground.
Nyege Nyege has the potential to rejuvenate Jinja City’s allure and draw in a flood of tourists since it brings artists from across Africa to entertain thousands of revellers.
