Uganda’s flagship music and arts festival, Nyege Nyege, has confirmed its return to Kalagala Falls on the River Nile for its 11th edition, scheduled for November 19–22, 2026. The festival will bring together more than 200 artists across seven stages, with the programme spanning electronic music, live bands, club sounds, experimental work, traditional forms, and emerging underground scenes from Uganda, East Africa, and beyond. The popular Dub & Reggae Stage will return, alongside dedicated Kenyan and Rwandan takeovers, while Boiler Room is also set to make a comeback, continuing its partnership with the festival to connect African artists with a global audience.
The most striking development for 2026 is the festival’s collaboration with Wakaliwood, Kampala’s cult DIY action-film studio, under the theme “The Wakaliwood Edition“. Founded by filmmaker Nabwana IGG, Wakaliwood is best known internationally for titles like Who Killed Captain Alex?, celebrated for its handmade effects and distinctive Ugandan action-movie style. Organisers have confirmed that parts of the festival site will be transformed into a living movie set, with scenes from a new Wakaliwood feature film shot during the four-day event—and festivalgoers potentially becoming part of the production. Isaac G. G. Nabwana of Ramon Film Productions confirmed that Nyege Nyege 2026 will serve as an active film set for the studio’s next feature.
Festival co-founder Derek Debru explained the vision behind the collaboration:
“After ten editions, we wanted to enter this next chapter around creating with what you have, building your own world and finding ways to share that world far beyond Uganda. This year, those universes come together as the festival becomes part music festival, part movie set and part playground, with the Nile running through the middle of it all.”
Aly Alibhai, CEO of Talent Africa Group, added that the partnership with Uganda Waragi, renewed under a three-year deal, provides the foundation to expand the festival’s scale, upgrade infrastructure at Kalagala Falls, and showcase African music and tourism to the world. Hilda Aguti, Head of Mainstream Spirits at Uganda Breweries Limited, noted:
“Nyege Nyege and Uganda Waragi are both as authentically Ugandan as it gets, we are excited to welcome the world to Kalagala Falls as we broaden the festival’s scale for this movement that truly celebrates the spirit of our people.”
The 2026 edition will feature a significantly expanded Uganda Waragi (UG) Stage, with confirmed acts including King Saha, Sheila Gashumba, Etania, Linus, Abeeka Band, DJ Akio (Strictly Soul), and the Zonke Africa DJ Collective, with additional names expected in the coming weeks. Organisers have also implemented major site upgrades, including closer parking, improved navigation, and an expanded camping village accommodating approximately 1,000 people, while incorporating Adrift River Club into the festival footprint. A dedicated tourism experience in partnership with Explore Uganda will connect festivalgoers to destinations and adventure activities across the country, and a special AFCON experience will bring football into the wider programme. Ahead of the main event, regional warm-up parties are planned in Kenya and Rwanda, hosted by Sheila Gashumba and Kenya’s Azeezah Hashim. Discounted diehard tickets are available throughout September via tagticketing.com, with full lineup announcements and travel packages to follow on the official website