KAMPALA, Oct. 12 — The hum of engines and rhythm of drums echoed through the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds as thousands gathered for the return of the Kampala City Festival 2025, a day that marked both celebration and rebirth. Leading the charge was Dr. Hamis Kiggundu, entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose Ham Group of Companies donated UGX 200 million, the festival’s largest private contribution, reigniting excitement for one of Uganda’s most beloved city traditions.
By mid-morning, the city’s central streets from Buganda Road to Kololo had transformed into a parade of color and rhythm. More than 4,000 Ham Group representatives, clad in KCCA Festival uniforms, marched behind ten entertainment trucks featuring the company’s diverse ventures — real estate, manufacturing, technology, and philanthropy. Each float carried the message that business and culture can move together in harmony.
Flagged off personally by Dr. Kiggundu, the convoy embodied the festival’s theme of Culture, Innovation, and Sustainability. Spectators waved as the procession wound through the city, merging civic spirit with corporate energy. “Ham Group reflects Kampala’s own determination and innovation,” said a festivalgoer as the parade rolled by.
Organized by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), this year’s event marked a long-awaited comeback. Kololo buzzed with renewed life — vendors setting up food stalls, artisans arranging crafts, and families exploring the Children’s Village filled with games and laughter. KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, alongside State Minister for Kampala Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, commended organizers for restoring what they called “the heartbeat of Kampala.”
As night approached, the stage came alive with performances from Ava Peace, Pastor Wilson Bugembe, Rachael Kay, and the Watoto Children’s Choir, stirring both nostalgia and pride. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, attending as Guest of Honour, praised the event as “a mirror of Kampala’s creativity and unity.”
But it was Ham Group’s unmistakable presence that many said defined this year’s festival. Branded floats, banners, and volunteer teams carrying the company’s insignia filled social media feeds under the trending hashtag #HamAtKCF2025, merging patriotism and enterprise in a uniquely Ugandan spectacle.
For Dr. Kiggundu, the festival’s meaning went beyond sponsorship. His message emphasized collaboration between government and business as the key to national progress. “Private enterprise fuels the transformation of every great city,” he reflected. “Supporting KCCA’s vision is part of building Uganda’s collective future.”
As fireworks burst across Kampala’s skyline, thousands sang along to the national refrain “For God and My Country.” What began as a city party ended as a declaration of unity and hope.
Ham Group didn’t just fund a festival — it reignited Kampala’s spirit. Under Dr. Hamis Kiggundu’s leadership, the event became a showcase of civic pride, cultural identity, and the power of business to illuminate public life.
Kampala shone brighter that night — a city reborn under its own rhythm and the guiding light of one of its most dynamic sons.
