This Month of November, we bring you a list of the Top Ten Events that have made a Mark on the Ugandan Social Calender as embraced by majority of Ugandans from all walks of life. Check out the list and enjoy reading.
1. MTN Kampala Marathon
Arguably one of the biggest Events in the history of the Ugandan Events Calender since 2002. The MTN Marathon has been running for the last 16 years and has seen thousands of multitudes of Ugandans and people from across the East African region participate for different causes annually.
It should be noted that, International Gold Medals Award winning Athletes like Dorcus Inzukuru, Kiprop, Kiprotich among Uganda’s prominent businessmen/women, CEO’s and Celebrities take participation in the Annual Marathon.
Unlike other editions of the Marathons, the 2018 Pre – Marathon was actually taken to the different regions of Uganda including Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara so that the upcountry dwellers could get a glimpse of the Marathon.
The annual MTN Marathon is Sponsored by MTN Telecom, Rwenzori Pure Natural Mineral Water and Stanbic Bank Uganda.
2. Blankets and Wine Kampala
This is one of the best annual picnics, family day out, Fashion, Style, Musical and fun events on the Kampala Social scene. Blankets and wine is traced with roots from Kenya, East Africa and happens every quarter in the year with different acts and performances.
Since 2014, Blankets and Wine has been taking place in Uganda at different locations such as Uganda Museum before organizers relocated it to Lugogo Cricket Oval. The Event will be marking its 21st edition on December 16th 2018 as organised by House Of Deejays and Powered by Tusker Malt Lager.
The selection phase of the artistes to perform is done by the House of Deejays committee and this has seen acts from across Africa perform at different editions such as; A Pass (Uganda), Radio & Weasel (Uganda), Lilian Mbabazi (Uganda), Zahara (South Africa), Kansoul (Kenya), Benon and Vampos (Uganda), Sauti Sol (Kenya), Aka Dope Band (Uganda), Rachael K (Uganda), Joanita Kawalya (Uganda), DJ Roja and Slick Stuart, Tina Ford (Uganda), Ykee Benda (Uganda), Rap Poet (Uganda), Tracey Noel (Uganda), Distruction Boyz (South Africa), The Roots Warriors (Uganda), The Ben (Rwanda), Fik Fameica (Uganda), DJ XZYL (Uganda), DJ Chapat (Uganda, Heavy K (South Africa). Among many more have performed at various Blankest and Wine Sessions.
This year’s December 16th edition confirms performances from Irene Ntale (Uganda), Maleek Berry (Nigeria), Tamba (Uganda), Farouq Farouq (Uganda), DJ Naselow Da Don (Uganda) and DJ Crisio (Uganda).
3. Bayimba International Festival of the Arts
The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is undoubtedly Uganda’s another epic festival. The four-day Bayimba International Festival of the Arts has become an important benchmark for the consumption of the finest Arts.
Previously, the Festival used to do regional tours in Mbale, Gulu, Fort Portal and Kampala finale at the Uganda National Cultural Centre before Bayimba Foundation getting their own Space at Lunkulu Islands.
Every first week of August, Lunkulu Island off the shores of Lake Victoria comes alive with a multiple feast of Music, Dance, Poetry, Storytelling, Acrobatics, Theatre, Film, and Visual Arts from renowned and upcoming Artists.
Since its first edition in 2008, a wide variety of known and upcoming Artists from Uganda, East Africa and beyond have performed at the different stages of the Bayimba International Festival of the Arts. The 12th edition of this acclaimed festival is scheduled to take place from 1st to 4th August 2019 at Lunkulu Island, Mukono, Uganda, bringing to life a true experience of the Arts in all its forms.
Lunkulu Island is easily reached by road from Kampala (42 km) and Jinja (60 km) while it will also be reachable by boat.
4. Nyege Nyege Festival
Nyege Nyege stands for peace, respect and abundant joy, it stands for Africa and Africans, for underground music and musicians, it stands for fun and curiosity and strives towards inclusivity and wonder, something of a perfect world you might say, but it’s only 4 days after all. Born out of an act of sheer collective madness in the rainy season of 2015 (after which it moved to the dry season), Nyege Nyege Festival is now considered the most important 4-day international music festival in East Africa for both its one of a kind curation and its unique afropolitan party vibe.
Nyege Nyege is part of a Kampala based arts incubator that includes an arts residency and community studios, a record label and artist management agency called Nyege Nyege Tapes and a party crew called Boutiq Electroniq. The Festival is the platform on which organisers showcase their new productions and the artists they work with work with, making it a highlight for both audiences and musicians alike.
The 4 days Event takes place annually and brings together a collection hundreds of deejays perform, Artistes and Entertainers from all over the World.
The Event is organised by Talent Africa and Powered by MTN Telecom Uganda.
5. Kabaka Birthday Run
The Kabaka Birthday Run always comes before Buganda Kabaka’s Coronation Anniversary. This takes place annually as Organised by Buganda Premier and Majestic Brands (Kabaka Events Organising committee).
The event for the past years has seen Sponsorship from Airtel Uganda which has a mutual partnership with the Buganda Kingdom as they are lead partners of all Buganda Kingdom Events.
The run is spearheaded by Buganda Kingdom Officials, Businessmen / women, celebrities, entrepreneurs, politicians, scholars, among many more prominent high profile society people.
The run entirely surrounds around the Lubiri and surrounding historical routes of the city in different Kilometer arrangements where thousand s of Kampala dwellers participate.
The run kicks off at the Lubiri Palace, runs through the Royal Mile down Kabaka Anjagala and on towards Bulange where the circuit winds up back and the Lubiri.
2018 Kabaka Birthday run took place on Sunday, 18th April 2018 as Flagged Off by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
6. Independent Night at Namboole Stadium
Having taken deep roots down in the born again faith, the Independence night takes place on 8th October every year before the actual Independence Day celebrations. Organised by one of Uganda’s Gospel preachers, Pastor Aloysius Bujingo from House of Prayer Ministries situated in Makerere.
The event takes place at Mandela National Stadium as thousands of Ugandan Christians flock the stadium to have a heart renewal Godly message by various pastors, evangelists and preachers.
Entrance is absolutely free every year.
7. Kampala Restaurant Week
This year, Kampala Restaurant Week clocked 4 years on the Ugandan events Calender. Powered by Tusker Lite and Pearl Guide Magazine, the Kampala Restaurant Week is a full 10 days access for one to try out the best culinary dishes Kampala Restaurants have with a free Tusker Lite on every menu.
Casual Dining Restaurants offer their Entrées at 15,000 UGX and Mains at 25,000 UGX whereas Signature Dining Restaurants offer their Entrées at 20,000 UGX and Mains at 35,000 UGX.
All Mains in all Restaurants are always served with a complimentary Tusker Lite Beer.
8. Roast and Rhyme
Arguably one of Uganda’s most celebrated outdoor experiences with two editions annually; Story tellers’ edition and Soul on the Strings. The Roast and Rhyme editions are organised by Uganda Production power house and Record Label – Swangz Avenue headed by Julius Kyazze and Benon Mugumbya formerly of the Benon and Vampos music duo.
The Event is a fully packed picnic and family day out accompanied by Fashion, Music and fun and talented acts give out what they can offer depending on the unique lineup which makes a memorable fun day out on the shores of Lake Victoria at Jahazi Pier in Munyonyo, Kampala.
Are you looking for fun day outs then count on Roast and Rhyme editions!
9. Johnnie Walker Jazz & Soul Safari
Now in its 11th year, the Annual Johnnie Walker Jazz & Soul Safari brings together masterful jazz & soul acts from all over the world to Kampala, attracting both jazz enthusiasts and mainstream music lovers.
This year’s edition will be all about soul, RnB, jazz-funk and lovers’ rock styles, and attendees can look forward to a line-up that has a zouk & jazz funk offering too.
Each year, the events priority is aimed at creating artistic experiences that are representatives of the diverse nature, genre and creating new layers of the jazz landscape.
The 2018 edition will feature American R n B maestro and legend, Ginuwine at Speke Resort, Munyonyo come 01st December starting 2pm.
This year’s tickets will go for UGX 150,000 for the Gold tickets and UGX 350,000 for VIP.
10. National Independence Day Celebrations
Since, October 09th 1962, Uganda has celebrated close to 56 years of self-governance since the colonialists handed in power. Previously, these celebrations took place at the Kololo Independence Grounds till late when Government chose to take them to the different districts of Uganda, so each year they are celebrated in a particular upcountry district, this year – celebrations took place in Rakai ,Masaka, district Kakuto Sub county.
Annually, these particular celebrations are headed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda graces the ceremonies which are accompanied by heroic awarding of medal for contributors towards Uganda’s successful independence Journey.
