The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced that the much-anticipated Kampala City Festival will now be held on October 12, 2025, a week later than originally scheduled, to allow for seamless preparations for Uganda’s 63rd Independence Day celebrations on October 9.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki said the decision was necessary to give both events the attention 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 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,” she stated.
The festival, set to take place at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the theme “Celebrating Kampala: Innovation, Culture & Sustainability”, will feature a grand city procession, multiple music stages, a Halal Village, a Christian Stage, and a Children’s Zone. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja is expected to officiate as the chief guest.
Momentum for the festival has been building with pre-event activities, including solidarity visits to orphanages, citywide clean-ups under the No-Litter Day, free medical camps reaching more than 7,000 residents, and the Greening Kampala campaign. On Friday, school children from Nakivubo Primary moved crowds with a poem, The Earth’s Lamentation, which called for environmental responsibility. “Refuse, reuse, recycle. Do not dump garbage in drainage channels,” the children urged, earning thunderous applause.
The greening theme was reinforced at the Tree Planting Day on Nile Avenue, where leaders and learners planted trees. Dr Akankwasa Barirega, Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), stressed that greening was about survival, not symbolism.
“Greening is not just about planting trees. It is about restoring balance in our cities… Air quality in urban areas is far worse than in rural areas. We need more forests in cities to clear our air,” he cautioned, pledging that NEMA would adopt a Kampala green space.
Buzeki echoed his message, highlighting trees as both an environmental and generational gift. “To us, trees are life. They give shade, regulate climate, and beautify our city. But beyond that, they are a gift to our children. We must keep them well,” she said, adding that KCCA will prioritise planting fruit trees in schools to support nutrition and food security.
KCCA’s Acting Director of Physical Planning, Ivan Katongole, confirmed that 2,000 trees would be planted as part of the initiative, with many distributed to city schools. “We remain committed to maintaining over 116,000 trees under our management,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Police has assured the public of safety during the festival. Police spokesperson Kituma Rusoke said, “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 Kampala City Festival, once described as East Africa’s largest street party, is expected to draw tens of thousands of revellers, businesses, and cultural performers. Beyond entertainment, the event is seen as a vital platform for promoting innovation, trade, tourism, and environmental consciousness.
Despite the postponement, excitement remains high. “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.
With Independence Day celebrations on October 9 and the City Festival following closely on October 12, Kampala is preparing for a week of national pride, cultural vibrancy, and urban sustainability.
