Festivals And Events In Uganda - Updated 2024

There are not too many Ugandan holidays or festivals that have made it past one or two years of organization. The ones that are still going strong are predominantly focused on the country’s growing arts and music scene. However, with the steadily improving tourism sector in Uganda, more festivals and events have been innovated and the already existing ones made better. 

Please Note: Because of COVID-19 and other factors, some of these events may have been halted 

Currently, we have almost 30 festivals in the country, ranging from food-related festivals to music, film, dance, and cultural ones, among others. In no particular order, below is a list of some of Uganda’s best festivals and events that no world traveler deserves to miss.

1. Afri art and fashion show

The Afri Art Fashion Show is an annual international fashion week held in Kampala, Uganda. The event features collections that reflect the traditions of Africa and the local designers in Uganda.

The show was started in 2022 by Nalwoga Cerinah Kasirye. The event focused on marginalized girls and youths who managed to come up with unique designs for the show with an African touch. In 2023, Ms. Nalwoga Cerinah used the show as a platform to fight stigma against vitiligo.

The Afri Art & Fashion Show provides an opportunity for artisans to exhibit their products to a global market. It aims to uplift the artisanal community by giving them visibility and economic freedom through the exhibition of their products. This aligns with the mission of Trillion Looks, the artisan designer social enterprise, which empowers women and youth artisans.

This year's Afri art and fashion show is scheduled for July 14, 2024. More details are on the Afri Art official website.

2. The Nile Festival

It usually takes place in early August in Jinja. The Nile River Festival (NRF) is an epic four-day event that celebrates all that is awesome about the Nile here in Uganda. Kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, parties, big air ramps, and live music—all with the backdrop of some of the world's biggest whitewater. However, in 2023, it was in January. This year's official date is yet to be announced.

3. Amakula International Film Festival

Also known as the Amakula Kampala Cinema Caravan Festival, this festival moves around the country over a course of four months, from the beginning of September to the end of November.

The Amakula International Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Uganda and was founded in 2004.It is Uganda's oldest film festival, founded by Dutch film historian Alice Smits and American filmmaker Lee Elickson.

The Amakula International Film Festival aims to bring the world to Uganda by showcasing unique films from around the world that are otherwise not distributed in the country. At the same time, it brings Uganda to the world by stimulating local film production and offering Ugandan filmmakers an international network

This year's Amakula International Film Festival is scheduled for November 15–16, 2024

4. Bayimba International Festival

Each September, this popular three-day festival takes place at the Uganda National Theater.

The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is undoubtedly one of Uganda's greatest festivals. This 24-hour festival offers a variety of art, including music, dance, theater, poetry and storytelling, comedy, circus, visual arts, photography, fashion, film, games, and workshops over the four days on its private island.

This year's Bayimba International Festival is scheduled for September 11–15, 2024

5. B-Global Indigenous Hip Hop Festival

Also in September, the B-Global Indigenous Hip Hop Gathering is a six-day educational celebration that will commemorate a decade of hip hop in Uganda. The B-Global Gathering is designed to celebrate, preserve, and archive the history of hip-hop as a contributing platform to the awakening of strength in the youth voice of Uganda.

6. This is Uganda

This annual festival aims to showcase the diversity of cultures in Uganda through art, music, poetry, and dance, with an emphasis on female artists. Every December, thousands of people gather at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala to see some phenomenal live acts. The festival also has a lounge area where festivalgoers can socialize, as well as booths that promote women's rights, education, and HIV/AIDS awareness.

7. Royal Ascot Goat Races

Let’s get it on! The Royal Ascot Goat Races is an annual charity event held at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, since 1993. Around October, the event is based on the Royal Ascot Races with a Ugandan twist. Similar to the Royal Ascot horse races, there is as much emphasis on fashion, in particular unusual hats, with prizes awarded to the best-dressed couple, man, woman, and child.Along with goat races, there are hospitality, food huts, champagne bars, beer gardens, as well as kid activities. Unlike other day festivals, the Royal Ascot Goat Race is a great networking event that prides itself on creating a great family day out. 

We do not have a date but you can check out the official Royal Ascot Goat Races website here

8. Twins festival

Organized by Vision Group, the Twins festival is one of the biggest annual events, possibly because of the turnout it receives annually. This event usually takes place at Namboole Stadium in August.

The festival, only in its fourth year, is becoming a popular family event that brings together twins and their relatives for a day of packed activities. In the 2016 edition, the oldest twins were 85.

9. Nyege Nyege festival

This is arguably the biggest music festival in East Africa. Nyege Nyege is a four-day music celebration that sees party people from across the continent gather during the month of September in Jinja. According to Nyege Nyege's founder, this event stands for peace, love, and abundant joy for underground music and musicians in Africa. [The Ultimate Guide to the Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda]

10. Pizza Festival

Unlike these other festivals, which have taken place at one specific event, the pizza festival will be at the respective pizza outlets in Kampala. It’s a one-week event that takes place in October.

The event, which is organized by EatOut UG, will include over 25 pizza restaurants across the city that will be giving out discounts in the form of buy one, get one free offers.

11. Dragon boat Festival

This concept was adopted from China, and in Uganda, the Dragon Boat Festival is held in June. It always attracts more tourists from China and usually happens at Forest Park Resort Buloba as revelers gather and compete in boat races.

12. Ice-cream and cake festival

This event brings together all local ice cream and cake producers, sellers, and lover’s distributors, among others, in one place. The event mainly features cake tasting, cake display, meeting the suppliers, cake eaters, cookies, and bread, among other things. It usually happens at the Uganda Museum.

More details at the Ice-cream and cake festival website

13. Green festival

The Green Festival celebrates the greening efforts of the children in their schools, homes, and communities. It always gathers in excess of 12 thousand green ambassadors, accompanied by over 10 thousand parents, guardians, and caretakers. The President of Uganda has twice attended the Green Festival at Kololo Independence Grounds. Normally, it takes place in August.

14. Rolex festival 

Celebrate Rolex, i.e., chapati and eggs plus vegetables, the number 1 roadside delicacy. Rolex was recently ranked as the number one fast-growing food in Uganda by CNN.

Organized by Rolex Initiative Uganda, this event brings together uptown restaurants to showcase the different styles of preparing a Rolex. This is usually accompanied by entertainment and games, among others. Takes place in August.

15. Muchomo festival

The Muchomo Festival is a social fundraising event that offers a unique experience and is meant to bring together meat and food lovers from all walks of life for a social cause. Part of the proceeds from the festival will go to charities like the Miss Uganda Foundation in support of their activities and programs. Meat lovers are always treated to different kinds of meat of their choice, like beef, chicken, mutton, pork, and crocodile meat, among others, at this festival.

16. Oktoberfest festival

The annual event, which is a rendition of the world’s largest beer and food festival, a German-inspired event, has a massive turnout of lively guests buzzing in excitement at the day’s line-up of beer and food games and activities organized under My Food Network.

Oktoberfest officially begins on the second to last Saturday in September at noon when the mayor of Munich taps the first barrel at the Schottenhamel Tent, crying, "O'zapft is" (It's open). The festival concludes the first Sunday of October, following German reunification day on October 5.

17. Uganda Film festival

“The Uganda Film Festival” initiative was established in 2013 to promote the local film industry both locally and internationally and to bring all the industry stakeholders together in a more focused and structured environment. This festival helps showcase what's happening in the local film industry. It is aimed at promoting publicity, building relations, and popularizing the local film industry. It’s a five-day event, normally around May.

18. Kabagarame Festival

Kabagarame, the weekly meat market located along the Mbarara-Ishaka road in Bushenyi District, is coming back to Kampala.

The festival brings specially prepared meat recipes prepared and served in a traditional setting with locally sourced, farm-fresh, organic ingredients.

The Kabagarame Kampala Festival normally takes place on a weekend in April at the Uganda Museum

19. Fish Festival

The event has two versions: the Entebbe Fish Festival held at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) in Entebbe and the Jinja Fish Festival held in the Eastern region of Uganda. At the festival, you can explore which fish come from Lake Victoria, including the popular Nile perch. Besides that, the way fish is prepared seems endless. Get inspired for your own kitchen at home and try something new at the festival! Normally, it takes place around November

20. Pearl of Africa tourism expo

The annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo brings together all tourism stakeholders and other service providers, presenting a unique opportunity for tourism business operators to meet new clients, network, and discuss business deals with global tourism and travel trade partners. It's a multi-day event and takes place around April.

21. Blankets and wine

This is one festival that is about fashion, food, and fun. A day for relaxation, yet it's outdoorsy—a day of fashion statements, food, and lots of fun. Blankets and Wine is East Africa’s top music experience, aimed at exhibiting the best musicians and their genres of Afro-based music. People flood the festival with their mats, on which they lay down and sit as if it’s a rest day for adults. Come relax, interact, and connect with East Africans at the Blankets and Wine Festival.

The event is scheduled for August at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.

22. Ekyooto Ha Mpango Cultural Festival.

Ekyoto Ha Mpango is a cultural festival showcasing Tooro Kingdom’s rich history and cultural heritage, exhibiting innovations that emanate from the wider Rwenzori region, marketing businesses and investment opportunities in the region, and providing a platform to engage in inclusive conversations on the integration of culture and communities in the tourism business ecosystem.

23.  Kampala City festival

The biggest street festival in East Africa is held on Kampala Road, with many stages packed with entertainment. October

24. Bakiga Nation

A cultural gala is held at Hilltop Gardens in celebration of Kiga heritage through music, arts, food, and dancing. December

25. Kampala Art Biennale

Art galleries in Kampala host exhibitions, performances, discussions, and more. Held once every two years. September

26. LaBa!

Bukoto Road shuts down for this street party in celebration of Ugandan visual arts with installations, music, food, and dancing. May

27. Jazz & Soul Safari

This festival at Lugogo Stadium showcases jazz, funk, and soul from all over the world and just celebrated its 10th year. July

28. Roast & Rhyme

A family event at Jahazi Pier with that fine combination of music, lakeside fun, and roasted meat. March, July, and October

29. Mikage World Music

Held in Entebbe's botanical gardens, this three-day festival celebrates world music and art. November

30. Namugongo Martyrs Day

I know we said festivals, but I think these celebrations deserve a mention. The martyrs day, celebrated on June 3rd every year, is a commemoration of the young men who were killed by Kabaka Mwanga’s next man, Mukajanga, for worshiping God. The king thought God would take over his kingdom, and he ordered that every Christian should be killed. Millions of people from all parts of Uganda and East Africa walk to the Namugongo shrine to mourn and pray for the over 20 saints who were killed because of their faith. The tale behind it inspires thousands to walk to the shrine.