City Festival Date Shifted to Ensure Smooth Independence Day Celebrations
The announcement was made by KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday. She emphasized that the one-week adjustment was necessary to ensure that both events receive the dignity and logistical support they deserve.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced a change in the date of the highly anticipated Kampala City Festival 2025, shifting it from October 5 to October 12. The adjustment is intended to allow seamless preparations for Uganda’s 63rd Independence Day celebrations scheduled for October 9 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The announcement was made by KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday. She emphasized that the one-week adjustment was necessary to ensure that both events receive the dignity and logistical support 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 said.
The Kampala City Festival, making a grand return after years of absence, will take place under the theme “Innovation, Culture, and Sustainability.” The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, is expected to officiate as chief guest.
The festival will open with a spectacular procession through the city before spreading into multiple zones at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. These include the Main Stage, Wainchi Stage, Halal Village, Christian Stage, and a Children’s Zone offering family-centered entertainment.
Pre-Festival Activities
Momentum for the festival has been building over the past weeks through pre-festival engagements designed to unite Kampala residents and enhance urban life. Activities so far include:
Solidarity visits to orphanages.
A tree-planting campaign under the Greening Kampala initiative.
A citywide No-Litter Day clean-up drive.
Urban agriculture demonstrations at Kibuli and Mengo Primary Schools.
Free medical camps that served over 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.”
Security Assurances
Security for the festival has been guaranteed. Police spokesperson Kituma Rusoke assured residents and visitors that comprehensive security arrangements have been made 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,” he said.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Once celebrated as East Africa’s largest street party, the Kampala City Festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of revellers, cultural performers, and businesses. Beyond entertainment, the event will serve as a platform for innovation, trade, and tourism promotion, while also stimulating economic activity for local vendors, traders, and small businesses.
Buzeki expressed gratitude to the growing number of sponsors, corporate partners, schools, religious institutions, and community organisations supporting the festival. She called on more partners to come on board, describing the festival as a unifying event for the city.
“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,” she said.
With preparations in full swing and security assured, Kampala is set to host one of its most colourful festivals yet. All roads will now lead to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on October 12, 2025, where the Kampala City Festival will reaffirm its place as a cultural and economic highlight in Uganda’s capital.
