KAMPALA CITY FESTIVAL RETURNS AFTER EIGHT-YEAR BREAK

The Kampala City Festival is back and with it comes the colour, rhythm, and excitement that many city residents have sorely missed for nearly a decade.

Following an eight-year break, the 8th edition of the festival is set to take place on October 5, 2025, just three days before Uganda’s 63rd Independence Day.

Organised by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), this year’s edition promises to be “bigger, bolder, and brighter.”

The official launch was held at City Hall on Tuesday August 5, in a red-carpet affair attended by government officials, cultural leaders, artists, and sponsors.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki officially declared the festival open, describing it as a gift to the people of Kampala.

“This time, we are bringing you a festival like no other,” Buzeki said. “The people of Kampala have missed the vibe, the rhythm, and the soul of this great city. We are giving it back to them. This is our opportunity to reconnect and celebrate our culture, innovation, and progress.”

Themed “Celebrating Kampala: Its Culture, Innovation, and Sustainability,” the 2025 festival is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, welcomed the return of the festival and called on all citizens and institutions to lend their support.

“This aligns with our goal to build a city that puts a smile on everyone’s face,” he said. “Let’s all support the festival it is a symbol of who we are and who we want to be.”

The festival will feature a variety of activities, including cultural performances, innovation expos, environment and sanitation drives, music concerts, food fairs, health camps, information clinics, and children’s play zones.

Zahara Luyirika, Speaker of the KCCA Council, commended the Authority’s leadership for reviving the festival, saying the political wing of the council was fully supportive of the initiative.

“Let this festival be a symbol of unity and inclusion. The residents of Kampala deserve to celebrate their city and their achievements,” Luyirika said.

Also present was Juliana Kaggwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), who endorsed the festival as a significant opportunity to promote Kampala as a tourist destination.

“We commit to working with KCCA to promote Kampala as the city of choice for both domestic and international visitors,” she said.

The event also received endorsement from the Buganda Kingdom, with Robert Sserwanga, Minister for Sports and Youth, pledging the kingdom’s support and urging sponsors not to miss the opportunity.

“This festival is a pill of happiness,” Sserwanga said. “To our sponsors supporting this is supporting the wellbeing and joy of our people.”

Guests at the launch were treated to a soulful performance by celebrated Afro-soul artist Kenneth Mugabi, who serenaded the audience with his hit song Nambi.

Members of the festival’s organising committee also joined in the entertainment, showing that even city planners know how to have a good time.

The festival, which was last held in 2017, is expected to draw thousands of residents and visitors into the city centre to celebrate Kampala’s vibrant identity.

With preparations now in full swing, the message from KCCA is clear: this is not just a festival it is a movement. And after eight long years, Kampala is ready to dance again.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations