Kadaga clashes with religious leaders over Nyege Nyege festival

The annual Nyege Nyege festival, a highly anticipated event held in Jinja, continues to stir controversy as it approaches in November.

The latest clash occurred last week during the Busoga Prayers, organised by the Busoga Consortium for Development in Luuka District, where First Deputy Prime Minister and Kamuli District Woman MP, Rebecca Kadaga, faced off with religious leaders.

During the prayers, Rt Rev Hannington Ssuubi, Bishop of Busoga East, criticized the festival, condemning its presence in the region. He claimed the event tarnishes Busoga's reputation and corrupts the morals of children. “There is an annual event called Nyege Nyege. It gives Busoga bad publicity. We condemn it, and it shouldn’t happen in Busoga again,” the bishop asserted, mentioning the discovery of condoms at past festivals as evidence of immoral behaviour.

Kadaga, a staunch supporter of Nyege Nyege, has responded, defending the festival’s economic and tourism contributions to the region. “The entrance fee for Nyege Nyege is shs300,000. Which child in Busoga can afford that? Let’s not misrepresent facts,” Kadaga said, challenging the bishop's concerns. She emphasized the significant benefits the festival brings, including full hotel occupancy in Jinja, Iganga, Mayuge, and Njeru, boosting local businesses.

“This is a prime opportunity for development in Busoga. Many people earn money during this time, and we cannot afford to lose this chance,” Kadaga argued, highlighting the festival’s impact on the local economy.

This clash is not the first time religious leaders have opposed Nyege Nyege. During a three-day crusade recently, Phaneroo Ministries International, led by Apostle Grace Lubega, declared “the end of Nyege Nyege festival’s presence in Jinja City.” The crusade, held at the Railway Grounds, drew believers from across the Busoga region.

“A time has come when people will try to enter the gates of Jinja City with Nyege Nyege but the spiritual environment will not allow them. Shout ‘fire’ three times to cast out such ungodly festivals,” Lubega told the attendees. “How can they, out of the whole world, out of the entire continent of Africa, and all of Uganda, choose Jinja for such a festival? Jinja must be born again in the name of Jesus,” he added.

In 2022, Uganda’s Parliament nearly banned the event on moral grounds, but the government intervened to allow it. More recently, Jinja’s new Overseer of Born-Again Churches, Bishop Richard Kyendakulya, vowed to stop the festival, attributing its existence to weak faith leadership.

This year’s Nyege Nyege Festival is set to take place between November 14 to November 17 in Jinja City.