Uganda’s Festivals – Seven of the Best

Attending a festival is a great way to get to know about Uganda’s culture and mingle with the locals, making new friends and business contacts.  If you travel to Kampala or other Ugandan cities on business, make sure you check to see if any festivals are taking place during your trip so that you don’t miss out on any of the fab entertainment.  Here are some of the festivals to look out for:

Festival on the Nile (August) 

Featuring music, dancing, theatre, storytelling, folklore and food.  There is a street parade of children’s activities and dance workshops offering visitors and residents alike the opportunity to learn about Uganda’s tribes and customs.

This is Uganda (December) 

An annual festival showcasing the diverse cultures in Uganda through music, art, poetry and dance with a particular emphasis on female artists.  It takes place in December and promotes the rights and education of women.

Kampala City Festival (October) 

An annual event to promote Ugandan culture, featuring street parades and marches, live music, and a national dress competition.

Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (October)

An exhibition aimed at raising the profile of Uganda as a destination for domestic and international travellers, this is a popular platform for tour operators to network and do business. 

Amakula Kampala International Film Festival (September – end of November) 

A “travelling” festival celebrating films old and new that feature themes of independence, offering workshops on film and soundtracks training.

Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts (August)

A three day celebration at the Uganda National Theatre in Kampala focusing on arts and culture in Uganda.  This is a must for anybody who wants to learn more about the music and art scene, bringing together music, film, dance, theatre and visual arts, promoting artists from Uganda and other East African Countries.

Nile Jazz Safari (October) 

This one day event attracts jazz musicians from around the world as they celebrate and jam with a growing audience of Ugandan jazz lovers.

•Culled from www.travelcare.ug