Prime
What to find at the Kampala City Festival
What you need to know:
The Kampala City Festival (formerly Kampala City carnival), that began as a vision for Kampalans to celebrate 50 years of Independence, is on this weekend. Here is what to expect.
It is that time of the year to dress up as tropical birds and loosen up as local artistes entertain us as the rebranded Kampala City Festival.
That’s right, the all new Kampala City Festival is in two days and the entire Kampala Road will come alive in a festive mood with music, dance, fashion and other showcases. Wildlife lovers will have the chance to see animals from the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Uwec), formerly the zoo, with guides and information officers present to teach you some interesting facts about these animals.
So if you have been too busy to visit national parks or Uwec, Sunday is your day to interact with nature, in the middle of Kampala City.
And as you go about admiring the animals, there will be several artistes to entertain you.
Organisers have said that there will be 30 artistes performing at the festival, headlined by self-styled ghetto president Bobi Wine.
It will be all about love because even Bobi who sang - Tugambire Ku Jenifer, criticising the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi has mended fences and become the main act, at the festival.
You probably have heard a remix of the song that now appreciates the efforts of Musisi to beautify the city.
Peter Kaujju, the spokesperson for KCCA, who are the organisers of the festival, said the theme of the festival is ‘Our City Our Celebration.’
He added, “The celebration will attract a patriotic spirit particularly with the new look of the capital city.” He says the festival is bigger than the carnival which took place last year.
Offers
He explains, “We are holding a festival which is a big celebration that is bringing together a number of artistes and other players.
It is going to be a good opportunity, so come celebrate and network with people from different walks of life and professions.”
The little ones will have bouncy castles and enjoy performances from fellow children as well as acrobatics that should be something to catch your attention too.
“You can take the train too. RVR will be ferrying people at a small fee from Namanve to the railway gardens in town,” Kaujju says.
Other activities lined up include agricultural, technological, energy exhibitions, acrobatics, etc.
There will be food sold by vendors and outside catering service providers so this could be your first time to taste a rolex (chapatti, tomatoes, onions and fried eggs) kikomando (chapatti and beans) and different “tribes” of frothy drinks.
KCCA’s spokesperson adds that this will take place along Kampala road from Watoto Church, formerly known as Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) and all the way to Jinja road at Kitgum House.
All this stretch will be cordoned off which should not be an inconvenience since Sunday is not a working day.
About parking, Kaujju advises that you park outside the designated area of the festival.
The celebrations kick off at 9am, so go pray and celebrate for the rest of the day.
