The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, under the Government’s initiative, is set to revive the Kampala City Festival as part of efforts to enhance tourism in the city. The move is outlined in the 2024/25 National Budget Framework Paper, where the ministry asserts that facilitating the Kampala Capital City Authority celebrations will serve as a platform to showcase the city’s tourism products.
The proposed project also includes the development of a distinct Kampala City Tourism brand and the creation of a unique identity for the city. In the 2024/25 national budget, the Ministry of Tourism has been allocated a budget of Shs248.700 billion to facilitate these initiatives.
Furthermore, the Kampala Capital City Authority has been allocated Shs796.409 billion for infrastructure development in the same budget. The allocation reflects the government’s commitment to supporting both the cultural and structural aspects of the city.
The annual Kampala City Festival, initiated during the tenure of former KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Semakula, aimed to celebrate culture, innovation, unity, and social life. The festival also provided a platform for companies, traders, and organizations to showcase and market their products. KCCA used to allocate a budget ranging between Shs700 million and Shs900 million for organizing the festival.
However, the festival has not taken place since Jennifer Musisi’s departure, and the government’s decision to revive it underscores the importance of cultural events in promoting tourism and showcasing the vibrancy of Kampala city.
