From Kololo with gratitude: Thank you, Kampala
The Kampala City Festival is more than an annual event; it is a celebration of the values that define us as a city. To every resident, partner, sponsor, and staff member who made this festival a reality, I say thank you.
Sharifah Buzeki
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OPINION
By Sharifah Buzeki
There is a unique magic that fills the air when a city comes together to celebrate itself.
On Sunday, October 12, Kololo Ceremonial Grounds was alive with this spirit as residents of Kampala, from every corner of the city, gathered for the Kampala City Festival 2025.
Under the theme “Innovation, Culture, and Sustainability,” the festival was a vivid reminder that the heart of Kampala is its people, whose energy, creativity, and resilience bring the city to life.
Moments like these are never the work of one person or one institution. They are the result of partnership, collaboration, and shared commitment. I am deeply grateful to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, our sponsors, the Government of Uganda, the dedicated KCCA staff, and all stakeholders who contributed to making this year’s festival a reality. Your support ensured that Kampala could showcase its culture, innovation, and sustainable initiatives in a way that touched the lives of every resident who joined us at Kololo.
The festival’s vibrancy was built on weeks of pre-festival activities designed to engage communities and bring services closer to residents.
In late September, KCCA staff, schools, and market vendors visited children’s homes, including Naguru Reception Centre, Hope for Justice Children’s Home, Sanyu Babies’ Home, St Theresa Babies’ Home, and Nsambya Babies’ Home, bringing donations and spending time with the children. Witnessing their smiles reminded us that before the music plays and the lights shine, Kampala’s heart is its people. These visits alone reached over 100 children and sent a message of solidarity that resonated throughout the city.
Health and well-being were equally at the forefront. Over 7,000 residents accessed free healthcare services through KCCA medical camps, receiving immunisations, HIV testing, family planning, and nutrition assessments. Mothers, youth, the elderly, and even refugees were beneficiaries. It was a powerful reminder that access to quality healthcare is one of the greatest expressions of care a city can provide.
Kampala’s streets also came alive in new ways. For the first time, Kampala Cycling Day reached Makindye Division, while Car-Free Day transformed Nile Avenue, Speke Road, and Shimoni Road into playgrounds for bicycles, skaters, and families enjoying games and picnics. Watching children play safely in the heart of the city, breathing cleaner air, reinforced our commitment to sustainable urban spaces. On the same day, KCCA launched two new public sanitation facilities at Constitutional Square, underscoring the importance of hygiene, dignity, and shared responsibility in public spaces.
We also unveiled our Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY2025/26–FY2029/30), charting an ambitious course to transform Kampala into a well-planned, inclusive, and resilient city. The plan, valued at sh11.9 trillion, will be financed through diverse streams, including central government transfers, climate finance, public-private partnerships, and innovative mechanisms such as municipal bonds, reflecting our resolve to pursue sustainable financing for urban transformation.
Our environmental initiatives reflected the theme of sustainability. Pupils at Kibuli and Mengo Primary Schools learned urban gardening techniques, turning small spaces into green, productive areas. Thousands of trees were planted along major streets, while fruit trees were distributed to schools across the city as part of the Greening Kampala initiative.
The Greening Day was presided over by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Barirega Akankwasa, who, in the spirit of keeping Kampala green, promised to adopt one of the green spaces in the city.
On the same day, we unveiled the “I Love Kampala” monument, a new symbol of civic pride and unity.
No-Litter Day further brought residents together to clean streets from City Square to Kyaggwe Road, raising awareness on waste management and recycling while instilling pride in a cleaner, greener Kampala.
The festival itself at Kololo was a magnificent tapestry of culture, innovation, and unity. Families, youth, and children mingled freely, enjoying music, dance, and interactive exhibitions. The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who graced the festival as Chief Guest, celebrated with residents, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive development. Streets, normally congested with traffic, became spaces of joy and creativity, showing the transformative power of people-centred planning.
From this festival, several lessons are clear. Kampala residents cherish car-free and cycling days, free and accessible healthcare, and celebrations that are inclusive, sustainable, and centred on people. They are eager to participate in shaping a city that prioritises their wellbeing and nurtures their creativity.
As we close the curtains on the 2025 festival, KCCA pledges to make next year’s celebration even bigger, more engaging, and impactful. I call on every resident to continue supporting KCCA initiatives, from waste management and urban gardening to public health programs and community engagement.
Together, we are building a Kampala that is not only functional but also vibrant, resilient, and proud of its people.
The Kampala City Festival is more than an annual event; it is a celebration of the values that define us as a city. To every resident, partner, sponsor, and staff member who made this festival a reality, I say thank you. Your support and participation prove that when development is people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable, everyone wins.