KAMPALA, Oct. 12 — Energy, color, and celebration swept across Uganda’s capital as the Kampala City Festival 2025 returned to the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, drawing thousands of revelers under the morning sun. At the heart of the revival stood Dr. Hamis Kiggundu, founder and CEO of Ham Group of Companies, whose UGX 200 million pledge transformed the annual event into a national showcase of innovation and civic pride.
By midmorning, crowds filled the streets from Buganda Road to Kololo, cheering as over 4,000 Ham Group staff and volunteers paraded alongside ten decorated trucks representing the group’s business divisions—spanning real estate, finance, manufacturing, and technology. Each vehicle carried dancers and musicians, blending enterprise with artistry in a display that reflected this year’s festival theme, “Culture, Innovation, and Sustainability.”
Dr. Kiggundu personally flagged off the parade, leading a convoy that became a visual emblem of public-private partnership in Uganda’s capital. “This is more than sponsorship—it’s about investing in Kampala’s identity,” one participant said as the procession wound through cheering crowds.
The festival, organized by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), marked a long-awaited return following years of postponement. On the grounds, vendors sold local delicacies, artisans showcased crafts, and children thronged a newly built play village. KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki praised the collaboration behind the event, calling it “a reflection of Kampala’s creativity, resilience, and unity.”
The celebration reached its peak at sunset as popular Ugandan performers Ava Peace, Pastor Wilson Bugembe, Minister Rachael Kay, and the Watoto Children’s Choir took the stage. Guest of Honour Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja commended organizers and sponsors alike, noting that “events like this remind us that Kampala’s progress thrives when government and business work together.”
Online, Ham Group’s involvement dominated social media feeds. The company’s accounts shared scenes of the parade with the caption, “Ham Group at the Kampala City Festival 2025 — For God and My Country.” Within hours, the hashtag #HamAtKCF2025 began trending nationwide, underscoring the event’s digital reach and youthful energy.
For Dr. Kiggundu, the contribution carried a message beyond celebration. In a statement afterward, he described the initiative as “a commitment to nation-building through partnership and innovation.” He added that private enterprise must play a central role in shaping Uganda’s social and economic transformation.
As fireworks closed the night, Kampala’s skyline glowed with renewed pride. For many residents, the 2025 festival signaled not just a return to tradition, but a new chapter for the city—one powered by collaboration, vision, and the enduring spirit of community.
Kampala danced. Ham Group led the way.
