Organisers of the inaugural Routes & Roots Festival have announced the launch of early bird ticket sales for the 2026 edition, inviting revelers to secure discounted passes for what is billed as one of Uganda's largest celebrations of culture, music and tourism.
The three-day festival will take place from October 29 to 31, 2026, at Lake Saaka Recreation Centre in Fort Portal City. Tickets are available through the festival's official website.
Speaking at the launch in Kampala, Festival Founder and Event Director Timothy Ocen said the event is designed to reconnect Ugandans and international visitors with the country's rich cultural heritage through music, storytelling, food, art and adventure.
"We want to bring people back to their roots. It is not just a concert—it is so much more than that. It is an adventure, the kind you feel in your chest and remember for years," Ocen said.
According to the organisers, the festival will feature three entertainment stages running throughout the event. These include an Afro-fusion main stage, the acoustic "Fireplace" storytelling stage showcasing intimate performances and spoken word, and the "Roots Rewired" arena blending electronic dance music with traditional African rhythms.
The organisers said the festival programme will also include performances by local and international musicians, cultural troupes, DJs, poets and other entertainers, with additional headline acts expected to be announced in the coming months.
Beyond the performances, visitors will experience cultural villages modelled after traditional homesteads from regions including Acholi, Buganda, Tooro, Busoga and Karamoja. The villages will showcase indigenous architecture, crafts, fashion and cultural practices.
Food enthusiasts will also have an opportunity to sample a wide range of Ugandan cuisine at more than 50 food stalls, featuring traditional dishes such as luwombo and malakwang, alongside Tooro coffee tasting sessions and other local delicacies.
The festival will further offer adventure activities including crater lake hikes, guided boda-boda city tours, excursions to the Mabere Caves and hot air balloon rides over the Tooro landscape.
Additional attractions will include night markets featuring more than 100 artisans, designers and storytellers, as well as a dedicated family zone offering children's activities such as drumming sessions, face painting and traditional games.
Ocen said this year's edition aims to celebrate Uganda's cultural diversity by bringing together communities from across the country.
"This edition will feature all cultures of Uganda, from Karamoja to Kigezi and Acholi to Ankole. This is a homecoming for the whole nation. We encourage people from all regions to take advantage of the discounted early bird tickets before the offer expires," he said.
Organisers said Fort Portal was selected as the host city because of its tourism attractions, including the crater lakes, Tooro Kingdom heritage and natural scenery, noting that future editions of the festival are expected to rotate to other regions.
Meanwhile, Events Marketing Manager Stearforce Twesigye called on businesses and development partners to support the festival through sponsorships.
"Where else do you get more than 8,000 engaged Ugandans, international tourists and 72 hours of live content in one place? This is where brands meet culture," Twesigye said.
The organisers expect the festival to attract thousands of local and international visitors while promoting domestic tourism and Uganda's cultural heritage.