____________________

 TOTO CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2023 

The bouncy castles and swings are already in the play area, the face painters are readying their ink pots and the icecream sellers cannot wait. The much-awaited annual Toto Christmas Festival is here!

This year's edition is taking place today (Sunday) at the beautiful Sheraton Kampala Hotel gardens in Kampala.

Gates open at 8am.

The entrance fee is a nominal sh10,000. It is free entry for children below one year as well as parents.

▪️  Toto Christmas Festival returns

Children have just broken off from a long and hectic school season. There is no better way to reward them than to bring them for this daylong festival.

The Toto Christmas Festival is organized by Vision Group in partnership with several corporate companies. 

Themed 'Inspiring young minds', this year's edition is set to feature various talent competitions such as dance, singing, and poetry, along with a focus on arts and crafts. 

Away from its fun activities, the festival aims at inculcating in children a culture of thinking outside the box. 

There will be charitable activities aimed at ensuring a delightful and memorable experience for the children throughout the day.

There will also be training sessions delivered by various experts on key areas such as parenting and online safety.

If you have never registered for a birth certificate and a national identity card, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) will be at the festival just for that.

"We are calling upon all parents and guardians to bring their children to the festival because we are going to register all Ugandans from one day and above," NIRA spokesperson Osborn Mushabe told New Vision in the buildup.

▪️  NIRA to carry out registration at festival



'Potential for confidence-building'

A 2019 paper published by The Green Parent Magazine in the UK shows that festivals are great places for kids to learn about themselves too.

Exposed to such diversity, they can experience how it feels to have more autonomy than usual, by establishing personal preferences and identity through choices of food, music, and activities.

“Any place where children have so many new experiences at once is going to provide immeasurable potential for confidence-building," says the publication.

"The atmosphere among the like-minded at festivals makes for a lovely dynamic."

Excitement has been building in various schools, including at Bright Sparks Junior School in Sseguku Katale, ahead of this year's Toto Christmas Festival

'A day to remember'

Of course, entertainment will be massive at the festival.

“As Amarula Family, we are excited and thrilled to have the festival back," said Amooti Omubalanguzi.

"Parents, bring your children to enjoy comedy and exciting games."

Singer Hajara Diana Namukwaya, better known as Spice Diana, will perform at the festival, and has rallied parents and guardians to bring their children to enjoy all her old and new songs. 

▪️  Get ready to learn with fun at Toto festival

“My beautiful people, bring your children to enjoy the festival because it is going to be non-stop till evening," she said.

"It is going to be fun and a day to remember. I am going to sing all my old and new songs. We are going to have a tremendous show."

The affable Pastor Wilson Bugembe of The Worship House will also be at the festival to sing songs and also bless each and every one participant.

▪️  Children warm up for Toto Christmas Festival

Parents and guardians, there will be a zumba dance at 10am for you to shake your bones — or betterstill, shake off your stress.

That should make you shove your worries aside and feel like a child again! There will be an instructor so get ready for some fun.

Talent search

The Sunday Vision newspaper will have a coupon. Be sure to buy yourself a coupy, fill in the coupon and take it to the talent search tent. 

There, you will find judges waiting for you, ready to give you further instructions. 

Those selected will have a chance to showcase their talents on stage, and the audience will be the final judges. There will be cash prizes to win as well as gift hampers.

▪️  'I will be there!' Excitement builds as festival nears

Grace Nampiima, the editor of Toto Magazine

Security

Fiona Tamale, the Vision Group events manager, has assured parents of security.

“We are working with the Uganda Police. Children and all festival attendees will get the best security," she said.

"We have a combined team of security agencies to provide security. Everyone will have to undergo thorough security checks and search before accessing the gardens."

Tamale said that with security guaranteed, all children and parents will safely party this Sunday to make this holiday a memorable one.

“Our dear parents and guardians, bring all your children. We have a team ready to attend to them. I urge you to co-operate with security once you are at the festival."

Lorraine Tukahirwa, Vision Group's head of marketing and communications, said the festival will be a fun-filled and exciting day for the festivalgoers.

“Bring all the little ones to win prizes by displaying their talents in singing and dancing," she urged.

"There will be a lot of fanfare on that day, come and have good times as a family."

Grace Nampiima, the editor of Toto Magazine, said Sunday's festival will be a day for families to have fun together.

The Toto Christmas Festival is organised by Vision Group under the Toto brand and in partnership with several corporate companies. 

This year, Mirinda, Jesa Dairy, Gombe Education Service Schools, Dennan Baby to Kids and Indomie Instant Noodles are partnering with Vision Group to organise the festival.

▪️  Momentum builds ahead of Toto festival

 PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY 

8:00am — Gates open
9:30am — Talent search auditions
10:00am — Zumba dance
11:00am — Entertainment
12:00pm — Talent search finalists
1:00pm — Entertainment
1:15pm — Talent search finalists
1:30pm — Entertainment
2:15pm — Talent search finalist