A Decade of Sound, Community & Renaissance
What began in 2015 as an underground party on the banks of the Nile has grown into one of the world’s most exciting cultural gatherings. The Nyege Nyege Festival — Luganda for “the irresistible urge to dance” — turns 10 years old in 2025, marking the milestone with a spectacular edition themed Ekigunda Ky’omuliro – The Gathering of the Flame.
“This year, we celebrate a decade of journeys — honoring our past and envisioning the future. What makes Nyege Nyege truly unique: the music, the people, the vibe, the nature, and the community that carries it all,”
— Official Nyege Nyege Statement
The Portal Re-Opens at Kalagala Falls
From November 20–23, 2025, the festival will unfold at Adrift Overland Camp & River Club in Kangulumira, Uganda — a location sacred to the Nile’s history and deeply tied to local communities.
Why this location matters:
- Sweeping river views & sacred trees
- On-site bungee jumping & kayaking
- Just 20 mins from Jinja & 2.5 hrs from Kampala
- 3.5 hrs from Entebbe International Airport
This partnership with local custodians also ensures environmental protection and community empowerment.
Six Stages, 300+ Artists
The 2025 edition will feature six stages with over 300 performers from Africa and the diaspora. Expect a mix of:
- Ancestral African rhythms
- Experimental underground sounds
- Global club culture beats
- Diasporic influences from the Caribbean & Latin America
🎥 TikTok – @afrobeatnomad:
“There’s nothing like waking up to the sound of drums and the roar of the Nile. Nyege Nyege isn’t just a festival — it’s a portal.”
Beyond Music: Fashion, Film & Adventure
1. Kwetu Kwanza Festival – Fashion Sanctuary
A “festival within a festival” celebrating African fashion. Expect:
Runway takeovers
Wearable art installations
Heritage + avant-garde couture
🎥 TikTok – @africanfashiondaily:
“This isn’t just a runway, it’s a cultural explosion.”
2. Matatu Film Stage
Bold African cinema takes the spotlight with powerful storytelling and fresh perspectives.
Possible Screenings: Independent films from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond.
3. The Adventure Hub
In partnership with ADRIFT:
- Raft into the festival
- Kayak on the Nile
- Bungee jump on site
- Quad biking & guided tours nearby
With Sauti Safari, extend your trip with gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris.
🎥 TikTok – @ugandatravelvibes:
“From rafting into the festival to dancing barefoot at midnight — only in Uganda.”
A Global Call to Artists
From Lagos to Nairobi, Bogotá to Durban, and São Paulo to Kampala, Nyege Nyege is calling creatives worldwide to gather and co-create.
The festival has become a cultural map rooted in:
- Sound
- Art
- Solidarity
- Joy
- Economic & Social Impact
Nyege Nyege isn’t just a party — it’s an economic engine.
- 2024 edition injected over $10 million into Uganda’s economy.
- Boosts hotels, transport, street vendors, and artisan markets.
- Creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
🎥 TikTok – @rolextouruganda:
“You haven’t done Nyege Nyege until you’ve had a Rolex at 4 a.m. by the river.”
Controversy & Cultural Resilience
The festival has faced pushback from conservative groups — including a near-ban in 2018 — but emerged stronger, gaining recognition from The Guardian, New York Times, and Le Monde.
The Vibe – In Attendees’ Words
- “It’s four days where the world feels open again.” — Nairobi festivalgoer
- “I came for the music, stayed for the people, and left with a new sense of Africa’s creative power.” — Kinshasa artist
- “The only place I’ve danced 12 hours straight, barefoot under the stars.” — TikTok user @afrobeatsinmyveins
Staying in the Vortex – Accommodation
- Riverside & forest campsites (tent rentals available)
- Partner lodges & hotels nearby
- VIP experiences at River Club & Kipling Lodge
- Booking opens soon at nyegenyege.com.
Quick Facts – Nyege Nyege 2025
- Dates: Nov 20–23, 2025
- Location: Kalagala Falls, Uganda
- Artists: 300+
- Stages: 6
- Theme: Ekigunda Ky’omuliro – The Gathering of the Flame
- Tickets: Available now at nyegenyege.com
- Social: @nyegenyegefest | #Nyege10 | #ThePortalReOpens
