As 1000’s of revellers grooved to the sounds of Uganda’s sold-out Nyege Nyege music festival on the banks of the Nile, relieved organisers stated an tried “immorality” ban had solely served to spice up sales.
A public outcry pressured Ugandan authorities to reverse the ban — imposed over claims that the four-day extravaganza promoted intercourse, homosexuality and drug use — however not earlier than information of the prohibition made worldwide headlines.
Some of the partygoers attending the festival, which brings collectively artists from throughout Africa, informed AFP that they had solely heard concerning the occasion that ends on Sunday because of the ban introduced earlier this month.
“I learnt about the festival when the government of Uganda banned it on claims it was promoting immorality”,
British engineer David Kempson informed AFP.
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Nyege Nyege festival attendants converse out
The 31-year-old Londoner had by no means been to Africa however the information prompted him to ebook a flight and make his technique to Uganda’s scenic Itanda Falls, the place he joined 12 000 revellers — together with 5 000 overseas vacationers.
“It is my first time in Africa. I didn’t expect this much, the huge fan presence, the greenery, the waterfalls and hospitality,”
he stated.
It was the second ban slapped on the festival since 2018, when Uganda’s former ethics minister Simon Lokodo, an outspoken homophobe, known as the occasion an orgy of homosexuality, nudity and medicines akin to “devil worship”.
Then too the ban failed to carry, following a social media outcry.
But this time, the prohibition proved to be an inadvertent publicity bonanza for the festival, organisers stated.
“We are headed for a much bigger number (that) we never anticipated,”
the occasion’s co-founder Arlen Dilsizian informed AFP, referring to ticket sales.
The ban “increased vigour and interest in the festival”, drawing guests from the United States, China, Europe and the Middle East, he stated.
‘No evidence of orgies’
The festival, which moved to a brand new, bigger outside venue this 12 months, started in 2015 however had been on a pandemic-induced hiatus since 2020.
Nyege Nyege means an irresistible urge to bounce within the native Luganda language, however it may possibly have a sexual connotation in different languages within the area.
Although Dilzanian insisted that “no evidence of sex orgies have been adduced by anybody making the allegations”, the festival was held beneath tight safety, following a authorities directive in opposition to “contraband, narcotic drugs, vulgar language, songs, expressions and gestures”.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi earlier warned that if there have been severe breaches resembling “sex orgies and nudity”, police would halt the occasion and clear the positioning.
Despite the presence of a police van outfitted with sensor cameras and remote-controlled drones, followers had been unperturbed, decided to savour the thrill and the possibility to see celebrated musicians resembling 80-year previous Cameroonian Eko Roosevelt.
“When I come for Nyege Nyege, I become free, I meet people from all over Africa and beyond, we laugh and dance, stress goes away,”
Pamela Nyinabangi, a 27-year-old magnificence salon proprietor from the capital Kampala, informed AFP.
Another attendee, Kenyan businessman Isaac Odwor, informed AFP the festival was “the only event where African music is given prominence and we get to interact with the musicians and artists.”
‘One of a kind’
This 12 months’s efficiency is happening in opposition to the backdrop of an financial disaster as the costs of key commodities from gas to meals rise within the wake of the warfare in Ukraine.
From avenue meals hawkers to makers of handmade jewellery, many Ugandans hoped the festival would carry their fortunes as vacationers thronged the premises, listening to music, taking a dip within the Nile or going white water rafting.
After holding Nyege Nyege’s first worldwide version in Paris earlier this 12 months, organisers plan to take it to Cameroon subsequent 12 months.
“It is one of a kind festival,”
British customer Tom Uragallo informed AFP.
“You can go for a swim in the Nile in the morning and then dance the night away till the early hours.”
© Agence France-Presse