ICCIU Pledges UGX 75 Million as Gold Sponsor for Kampala City Festival 2025

Kampala, Uganda: The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Uganda (ICCIU) has officially stepped forward as a Gold Sponsor for the highly anticipated Kampala City Festival 2025, presenting a cheque worth UGX 75 million to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) at a vibrant ceremony held at City Hall on September 1. This significant contribution underscores a growing partnership between private institutions and local government to celebrate Kampala’s rich cultural heritage while promoting innovation and sustainability.

The sponsorship was unveiled in the presence of key stakeholders, including representatives from ICCIU and KCCA officials.  The event featured the handover of festival merchandise, symbolizing the collaborative spirit ahead of the festival, scheduled for October 5 at the iconic Kololo Independence Grounds. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Kampala: Culture, Innovation, and Sustainability,” reflects KCCA’s broader vision to transform the city into a vibrant, attractive, and environmentally conscious urban center.

The Kampala City Festival, now in its fourth year, has a storied history of drawing massive crowds, with over 2 million attendees recorded in 2014 alone. This influx of visitors has historically boosted local businesses, offering a platform for networking and showcasing Uganda’s cultural diversity. The ICCIU’s investment, rooted in its 1977 mission to foster economic and cultural ties across 57 Islamic countries, is expected to elevate the event’s scale and impact, potentially generating millions in local revenue.

KCCA Executive Director, alongside ICCIU leadership, expressed gratitude for the partnership. “This generous contribution from ICCIU will go a long way in ensuring the festival’s success, bringing together communities to celebrate our shared heritage,” a KCCA spokesperson noted. The funds will support logistics, cultural performances, and sustainable initiatives aligned with the festival’s theme.

However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While many, including local influencer Mathew Ocitti, hailed the sponsorship as a “big move for Kampala’s cultural scene,” others voiced concerns. Ebong Andrew and Marianne Mutagamba criticized the focus on cultural events amid persistent infrastructure challenges, particularly the city’s deteriorating roads. “First fix the roads before any carnival,” Mutagamba urged, echoing a sentiment shared by urban development experts. A 2023 World Bank report highlighted that 60% of African cities face similar debates over resource allocation between cultural projects and essential infrastructure.

Despite the criticism, the partnership signals a promising trend of corporate-community collaboration. Heather Welch of X praised the move, stating, “We give thanks to ICCIU for this generous contribution,” while Defunct Posta Zebra Crossing called it “the kind of partnership we love to see.” As preparations intensify, KCCA and ICCIU are optimistic that the festival will not only celebrate Kampala’s identity but also address sustainability challenges, drawing on global urban development models supported by initiatives like the African Development Bank’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund.

With just over a month until the event, all eyes are on KCCA to balance these diverse expectations, ensuring the festival delivers both cultural splendor and a step toward a greener, more sustainable Kampala.