After years of silence, the iconic Kampala City Festival is officially making a comeback and this time, it promises to be more than just a party.
Sharifah Buzeki, the newly appointed Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), confirmed the festival’s return in a statement ahead of the highly anticipated launch set for 6th August 2025 at City Hall.
While the actual festival date will be unveiled during the launch, the announcement alone has ignited waves of excitement across the capital.
“We are bringing back the city celebration not just as an event, but as a platform to honor our culture, innovation, creativity, and most importantly, the community spirit that defines Kampala,” Buzeki said.
The Kampala City Festival, once East Africa’s biggest urban celebration, drew tens of thousands to the city center with its energetic street parades, colorful art exhibitions, music stages, and endless food stalls.
The festival was paused in recent years, but its return comes with a clear message this edition is about more than nostalgia.
“It’s not just about fun,” Buzeki emphasized. “It’s about coming together as a city, recognizing how far we’ve come, and renewing our collective commitment to building a cleaner and more liveable Kampala.”
Behind the festivities lies a broader agenda: to use the festival as a launchpad for community-driven urban transformation.
Sources within KCCA reveal that this year’s edition will highlight environmental action, youth-led innovation, and grassroots inclusion. From climate change awareness booths to upcycled fashion showcases, the festival is expected to blend celebration with purpose.
The return of the festival is also expected to give a boost to local businesses, artists, and vendors many of whom relied on the event for exposure and income before it was suspended.
As the countdown to August 6th begins, residents are bracing for an announcement that could reshape Kampala’s cultural calendar and redefine what a city celebration means in 2025.
The Kampala City Festival is back reimagined, revitalized, and ready to inspire.
