The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced the return of the Kampala City Festival, Uganda’s largest urban celebration, following a seven-year suspension.
The revival was confirmed by KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki during a press briefing held at the Uganda Media Centre.
The festival will be officially launched on August 16, 2025, at City Hall, with celebration dates to be announced during the launch.
“This will be a celebration of our culture. It will celebrate innovation, creativity, and community spirit. It's not just about fun — it's about coming together as a city and recognizing how far we have come,” Buzeki said.
Held annually until 2018, the festival was previously a major cultural and economic event. Its return comes at a time when KCCA is showcasing significant improvements in infrastructure, public services, waste management, and environmental planning.
According to Buzeki, the revamped festival will go beyond entertainment, serving as a platform to reflect on Kampala’s transformation and future goals.
Recent city performance reviews indicate over 70 kilometers of roads are under rehabilitation, with major projects such as the Kayemba Bridge and Nakawa Railway Crossing nearing completion.
Broader initiatives like the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project and the Greater Kampala Urban Development Program are steadily upgrading road and drainage systems across all five divisions.
In the area of waste management, KCCA is transitioning from the aging Kiteezi landfill to a new 230-hectare Integrated Waste Management facility in Buyala, Mpigi District.
The shift, supported by UN-Habitat and the Japanese government, marks a key environmental milestone.
Public service delivery has also expanded. KCCA has constructed 59 new public toilets, upgraded schools like Kololo SS and Nakivubo Primary, and is building a new maternity ward at Kiswa Health Centre.
Over 2,000 vendors have relocated to the newly opened Busega Market, and thousands of youths have benefitted from vocational training, startup kits, and urban agriculture programs aimed at boosting self-employment and inclusion.
With Uganda approaching a politically charged period ahead of the 2026 elections, Buzeki called for non-partisan civic behavior and warned against political campaigning in public service spaces.
“It’s about renewing our collective commitment to building a cleaner, livable, and inclusive Kampala,” she said, positioning the festival as a symbol of civic pride and unity.
She thanked President Yoweri Museveni, the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, and development partners for continued support in executing the city’s urban agenda.
KCCA is projecting revenue of Shs132.4 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, and plans to complete key projects such as operationalising the Buyala landfill, improving drainage in flood-prone areas, and building modern markets in Ggaba and Usafi.
Despite ongoing challenges, including limited funding for garbage trucks, ambulances, and rising wetland encroachment, Buzeki expressed optimism.
“We will not slow down,” she said. “Through partnerships, planning, and collective action, we will build the Kampala we all deserve.”
The festival is expected to draw thousands of city residents and regional visitors, marking a new chapter in Kampala’s journey as a modern, inclusive capital.