Published on 03/10/2025
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced a new date for the much-anticipated Kampala City Festival 2025, shifting it from October 5 to October 12.
The change, KCCA explained, is to allow seamless preparations for Uganda’s 63rd Independence Day celebrations on October 9, a major national event that that will be held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and commands significant logistical and security coordination within the capital.
The announcement was made by KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday. She said the one-week adjustment will ensure that both the Independence Day and the festival are given the attention and dignity they deserve.
“Independence Day is an important moment for our country, and Kampala, as the host city, must provide the necessary environment for it to be celebrated smoothly. Postponing the festival gives us more time to complete the logistical and technical preparations for both events without compromising quality. The Kampala City Festival will now be held on October 12, and we are ready to deliver a memorable experience,” Buzeki stated.
The festival, which returns after several years of absence, will be staged at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the theme “Innovation, Culture, and Sustainability.” The Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja is expected as chief guest.
It will kick off with a grand procession through the city before opening into different activity zones, including the Main Stage, Wainchi Stage, Halal Village, Christian Stage, and a Children’s Zone dedicated to family-friendly entertainment.
While the date has shifted, momentum for the festival has been building over recent weeks through a series of pre-festival activities aimed at uniting the city and improving urban life.
These have included solidarity visits to orphanages, tree planting under the Greening Kampala campaign, a citywide No-Litter Day clean-up, urban agriculture demonstrations at Kibuli and Mengo Primary Schools, and free medical camps that reached more than 7,000 residents.
“These activities are already bringing the festival spirit to life,” Buzeki noted. “We have seen Kampala come together students, leaders, civil society, and market vendors all working side by side. The festival is more than just a one-day celebration; it is about collective pride in our city.”
The Uganda Police has also moved to assure residents and visitors of their safety during the festival.
Speaking on behalf of the Force, Police Spokesperson Kituma Rusoke confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements have been drawn up in collaboration with KCCA.
“We are fully prepared to secure the festival. Our officers will be deployed along the procession routes, within Kololo grounds, and across the different festival zones. Residents and visitors can participate with confidence, knowing that their security is guaranteed,” the police spokesperson emphasized.
Despite the postponement, excitement around the return of the Kampala City Festival remains strong.
The event, once dubbed East Africa’s largest street party, is expected to draw tens of thousands of revellers, businesses, and cultural performers. It is also seen as a major platform for innovation, trade, and tourism promotion in Uganda’s capital.
Buzeki expressed gratitude to the sponsors, corporate partners, schools, religious groups, and community organisations that have already joined the celebrations. She called on more partners to take part in what she described as a unifying city event.
“The date may have changed, but the spirit of the Kampala City Festival remains the same. On October 12, Kampala will showcase its diversity, resilience, and creativity. Together, we will make this a celebration to remember,” Buzeki concluded.
The Kampala City Festival is expected to not only provide entertainment but also stimulate economic activity for vendors, traders, and local businesses. With security guaranteed and preparations in high gear, all roads will now lead to Kololo on October 12, 2025, for what promises to be a colourful display of innovation, culture, and unity.
