Kampala gears up for another round of Oktoberfest

The world's largest beer and food festival, the Oktoberfest, is back for its third edition in Kampala, promising a cocktail of food, beer and fun for city dwellers come Saturday, September 29, 2018.

The annual event which debuted on the Ugandan social calendar in 2016 will once again be held at the Uganda Museum Gardens and will follow the long-respected tradition of the celebrations featuring on any day between September 16 and the first weekend of October, notably before Germanys unification day on October 3.

As has become the tradition, the Ugandan version of the fiesta will entail celebrations of food, blends of different cultures and merrymaking, with Tusker Lite flowing ceaselessly to crown what the organisers promised will be another unforgettable festival.

“The Oktoberfest Kampala is the third instalment of this global festival that is deeply rooted in the German culture. This monumental beer festival has become a tradition that celebrates the friendship between German and Ugandan cultures and has become an important merrymaking event for many, said Mark Kaheru of My Food Network, the event organisers.

This years theme for the event is recognising the friendship and strong cultural and economic partnerships between Germany and Uganda and celebrating this unique relationship through food, drink and the arts.

Beer has always been the uniting factor at social gatherings for Ugandans. We celebrate our friendships by sharing Tusker Lite and the Oktoberfest is an opportunity for the German and Ugandan cultures to share and connect over amazing food, excellent beer and lots of fun,” said Grace Namutebi, UBL Brand Manager, Premium Beers.

According to the organisers this years event will feature a mix of friendly inter-cultural activities including wardrobe fun costume competitions overseen by a team of judges headed by former German Ambassador Klaus Holderbaum.

There will also be traditional Oktoberfest games such as a beer straw challenge, tug-of-war, beer pong, arm wrestling, Stein (beer glass) hoisting challenge, eating challenge, beer speed drinking, a diva’ entertainment line-up boasting Cindy, Naava Grey, flutist Siima Sabiti and singer Afrie, in addition to cool DJ vibes headlined by The Almost Famous DJs featuring DJ Mary Joe and DJ Xzyl.

There will also be prizes awarded after the competitions with the biggest of them being a business class return air ticket from Brussels Airlines to any destination in Europe. With only three weeks left to the event, tickets are already on sale and early bird tickets go for only Shs15,000 at the Junction Bar and Uganda Museum.

Discounted tickets are also available for swipers with Visa card or Mastercard under the Blue Weekends promotion with Stanbic Bank for the same price. For those paying cash, tickets will be sold at only Shs20,000. Gates open at noon.