Nyege Nyege wins event of the year award

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Nyege Nyege festival was voted the event of the year at the first edition of the National Events Service Providers (NESPAS) Awards that took place at Imperial Royale Hotel last week. The awards are aimed at recognizing, honouring, and celebrating outstanding performance in Uganda's events service industry.

Nyege Nyege’s award was picked by Talent Africa Chief Administrative Officer Geoffrey Mwebaze, who said that they are honoured that their event was voted as the best event of the year. He said the 2024 edition of the festival was successful despite the challenges the event faced because of weather and the hard economic hardships that Ugandans are currently facing.

“This year’s event was mainly attended by foreigners. There were few Ugandans because of the hard economic times they are facing, but we hope the situation will get better and have more Ugandans come and be part of the next editions,” said Mwebazez.

Nyege Nyege beat Roast and Rhyme and Kabaka’s birthday run to the award.

Other winners of the different categories were Bukedde TV’s DJ Shiru who was named the best events DJ. He beat his colleague Suuna Ben to it. HIs awarded was picked by fellow Bukedde TV presenter Ticha Ticha Kawuuki.

Michael Ouma standing next to his award at NESPAS awards, 2024. (Credit: Alfred Byenkya)

The best cultural performing group was House of Talent, East Africa which was competing against Ndere troupe, Crane dancers and Kanyonza events troupe.

Hyper kids Africa were voted as the best children’s entertainment outfit while Micheal Ouma was named the best band performer.

Speaking at the event, the chief guest and the Deputy Executive director of the National Environmental Authority (NEMA), Leila Akello Gonasa, urged event organizers to adopt strategies that have less impact on environmental degradation.

“I liked the idea of having virtual or online concerts because such ideas do not have any effect on the environment and we urge events organizers to continue creating solutions that have less impact on the environment,” she said.

Uganda Police Community Liaison Officer, Ronald Muhwezi, urged events organizers to prioritize security at events because its security that guarantee law and order at these gatherings.  

“I have known music promoters to ask for only six police officers for a crowd of 500 people. What can six officers do in case chaos breaks out at the event?” he said. He said lack of enough security at events is the reason why people are no longer interested in attending concerts and public events.

“In Buikwe, the people that turned up for a concert burnt cars of a certain music group because they (the group) had refused to perform. If there was enough deployment at that show, such destruction wouldn’t have happened,” he stressed.

Muhwezi also warned artistes against moving with gang. He advised event organisers to stop using bouncers and unstrained personnel at events since there are enough trained policemen and women to handle all events.