Uganda Waragi and Afro-house music collective Zonke brought the Nyege Nyege party atmosphere to Jinja with a poolside celebration at The Bridge Club House, setting the stage for the upcoming festival.
The event, which started around midday, brought together DJs, dancers and partygoers for an afternoon that gradually transformed into an energetic night of Afro-house, Amapiano and electronic dance music.
Mwami Kiyimba, 2Nyuke and Baddie Melo opened the musical proceedings, setting the pace as the crowd grew throughout the day. Uganda Waragi’s Lemon and Ginger was the drink of choice, with bottles on tables and cocktails served to guests relaxing in the cabanas.
One of the event’s notable moments came when Zonke featured Mayani for the first time. The dancer and DJ demonstrated musical versatility, moving between deep house selections and popular Amapiano anthems.
By around 8 PM, House of Motion had taken over the dance floor, delivering an energetic Amapiano dance showcase that drew partygoers away from their seats. Guests formed a circle around the dancers, whose colourful T-shirts added to the spectacle as the performance turned into one of the evening’s liveliest moments.
The momentum continued after the dancers left the floor, with Chapart stepping in to keep the music flowing. His three-step set got house music fans singing along to tracks including John Wick and iPlan.
Kamali and Jenkins later closed out the experience with electronic dance music, keeping the crowd moving as the event stretched into the night.
For Uganda Waragi, the collaboration with Zonke reflects a shared interest in community-driven social experiences and the growing presence of Afro-house music in Uganda’s nightlife.
“Uganda Waragi and Zonke are a natural match,” said Roy Tumwizere, Uganda Waragi’s brand manager. He said the partnership celebrates community and modern experiences while creating opportunities to connect with consumers.
Danze Edwin, Zonke’s marketing and partnerships lead, described the Jinja party as a preview of what the collective plans to bring to the SO UG stage at this year’s Nyege Nyege Festival.
The event served as an early introduction to the festival atmosphere, combining DJ sets, dance performances and drinks in a poolside setting along the source of the Nile.
With Zonke and Uganda Waragi building anticipation ahead of the festival, the Jinja gathering offered partygoers a taste of the music and social experiences expected at the larger celebration.