Uganda: Bayimba fest celebrates 10 years

The festival is known for enhancing national and international cultural tourism through music, dance, theatre, film and visual arts.

“We definitely do have a lot to be proud of as we hit 10 years,” Bayimba Foundation media and marketing director Philip Masembe said.

“We have seen transformation of the artists, the art itself, lots of collaborations and exchanges that excite us amid other spin-offs that have come about. For instance, young artists have started creating new stuff and new festivals meaning that there is a market and need which wasn’t there before Bayimba."

Since 2008, Bayimba has developed into a major multi-arts event for artists to present exciting, innovative and creative ideas. Bayimba Foundation, which is responsible for organising the festival, focuses on uplifting the arts and culture industry in Uganda through cultural exchange and creativity by hosting arts festivals, training and workshops for aspiring artists, and facilitating creative development.

Entrance to the event is 10 000 Ugandan shillings (about $3) per day. “This money will go towards supporting the inclusion of Uganda's finest home-grown artists and productions to the festival’s 11th edition,” Masembe said. “We have also partnered with Picnic Entity to give our fans in Kenya an affordable package that includes affordable accommodation and a tour bus, so that they can make it to the festival”.

As in previous editions, the event will be held at the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) where daily performances will be held at five venues: Main Stage, Stage Two, Dancefloor, Upper Garden and Auditorium.

This year the festival will feature a mixture of local international artists including Bobi Wine, Jagwa Music, Mariam Ndagire & The Trends Band, Cyndi Sanyu, Maurice Kirya, Makadem and Betty G, among others.

The three-day event will also screen films and documentaries about music and feature art installations, poetry sessions, photo exhibitions, fashion shows and dances.

For more details about the festival line-up and to buy tickets, visit the Bayimba official website.