By KT Reporter
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced the postponement of the Kampala City Festival from October 5, 2025, to October 12, 2025. According to KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, the decision was reached after consultations with security and other stakeholders.
She explained that the festival will now be held after Uganda’s 63rd Independence Day celebrations, which will take place at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds—a venue also designated for the festival. Buzeki said the adjustment was made to prioritize the national celebration, calling it a rare opportunity for Kampala to host Independence Day.
“The postponement was basically aimed at giving attention to the opportunity that came our way of hosting the national independence celebrations in our city. We felt that holding the city festival and then independence would dilute the mood, so we decided to hold the festival just two days after independence,” Buzeki said.
She further urged city dwellers to turn up in large numbers for the carnival, which will feature live music, dance performances, local cuisine, and art installations. However, she cautioned that political sentiments and campaign-style dress codes would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Police Force has issued traffic and security guidelines for the event. Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke said there will be traffic diversions and security checkpoints leading to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
“There will be a security checkpoint at Hotel Africana, and motorists will be diverted to use Jinja Road and access the Kololo Festival grounds via Lugogo bypass. There will be traffic deployment, so don’t worry about getting lost; they will help in directing you,” Kituuma said.
According to police, Upper and Lower Elgon Terrace lanes will be cut off, with only accredited vehicles allowed through. Another cutoff point will be at Kati-Kati traffic lights to limit access to Upper Kololo Road. Police said Prince Charles Road will also be closed off, with motorists diverted to Upper Kololo Road to access Acacia Avenue.
Parking will only be provided at City High School and Kaboja Junior School, except for VVIPs, who will use the Kololo roundabout parking. Police warned motorists against roadside parking.
Kituuma further cautioned participants against carrying weapons, spray paint, knives, pangas, or other harmful objects. Parents were advised to closely monitor their children to avoid cases of abandonment at police stations. He also warned against suspicious trading activities, especially gold deals, which have previously targeted festival crowds. “We know such individuals often target carnivals, and we’ve registered incidents in the past. Please don’t fall prey to such tricks,” Kituuma said.
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