Uganda the pearl of Africa is famous for mountain gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris. Uganda also ranks the most culturally diverse country in Africa with more than 52 indigenous tribes, each with unique traditions including food, arts and of course music. Uganda’s most popular music genre has been the traditional one called Kadongo Kamu. But due to the fact that the country’s 70% of the population are young people, different music genres have gained much popularity including Reggae, Dance hall, Afro beats, hip hop, R&B, and gospel, jazz among others.
Uganda love to throw a party as it can be seen at festivals where everyone from the children below 18 years to old age both men and women. In fact the capital Kampala was nicknamed the sleepless city of East Africa.
With such music and fun loving country, it is no surprise that some of the popular music festivals happen here. Below are the 5 which you must not miss
Kampala City Carnival
The biggest street party in east Africa, Kampala city carnival happens every year as a celebration of culture, music, food, and social life. It is a weekend long festival that happens every first week of October in Kampala city and usually boats over 10 live concerts and music performance stages resonating with flamboyant sights, vibrant sounds and rhythms. Local super stars like Bobi wine, bebe cool, chameleon among other east African artists and celebrities can be seen performing live on the stages. The festival also features street dancers, motor cross, traditional drumming, and displaying gimmicks. The streets are always full packed with food courts, offering best east and drinks like roasted goat, chicken, chips, ketchup, fish. The display of things is very vast, including a wide array of craft and everything you can ever imagine.
It is such very popular that it attracts massive crowds. If you are a visitor, you are encouraged to have someone like a guide or a friend whom you can walk together. The 2018 carnival is set to happen on Friday 07th October 2018.
Nyege Nyege International Music Festival
Nyenge Nyege is another popular music festival in Uganda People love this festival for being an adventurous arts and music genres of all kinds including hip hop, reggae. You can find as many as 300 artists performing live on 5 stages including international super stars from Belgium, Caribbean South America, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya among other countries. The new sponsors of the festival, a telecommunications company called MTN have now taken the decision to feature other activities such as boat cruise as the festival is held at the source of the Nile world’s longest river in Jinja city.
Milege World Music Festival
Unlike other festivals, this one Milege is up for promoting Uganda cultural music and therefore has a different scene. At this festival you can practically taste the rhythm of cultural music instruments including traditional drums, flutes, xylophone, and percussion. Not only Uganda, but also cultural music performers from Asia, America and Europe attend this festival. It is held in fun and peaceful place Entebbe botanical gardens making it an opportunity to know the different culture of Uganda and the world and also visit the beautiful town of Entebbe.
Bayimba International Music Festival
Bayimba not only offers an exciting music experience but also features theatre, film, visual arts and hence it is a multi- arts festival. At Bayimba you can explore the finest talents, creativity, professionalism in the music, arts and culture industry of Uganda and east Africa at large. Bayimba features several workshops, art galleries, and talks to take you through the arts and culture of east Africa.
Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo
Pearl of Africa tourism festival is a festival and trade fair for all tourism professionals that make up the tourism industry not only from Uganda but around the world. It offers the opportunity to know about the tourism destinations and activities not only for those who are looking for their next holiday and safari but as well for tourism business growth and development. It is held every year in Kampala, where everyone can rent a stall or stand to showcase their packages including adventure, luxury, MICE, tour guiding, technology, beach, culture and community, sustainable and eco tourism. It is organized by Uganda tourism board in partnership with private sector and other stakeholders such as Uganda wildlife education center which brings up its animals such as lion, ostrich, cheetah, python, and birds.
