Amanze Chinonye
The historic Kololo Independence Grounds came alive on January 9, 2026, as thousands of Ugandans gathered for the inaugural Uganda One Festival, a free, family-friendly celebration of music, fashion, dance, film, crafts and innovation that placed the nation’s creative talent firmly in the spotlight.
Held under the theme “We Are One,” the festival unfolded as a sweeping showcase of Uganda’s cultural depth and youthful energy, reinforcing the idea that creativity remains a powerful force for unity, identity and national development.
Branded “The Heartbeat of Uganda,” the Uganda One Festival is designed as a flagship cultural platform celebrating Uganda’s creative power, unity and identity, while positioning the creative economy as a driver of pride and opportunity. It was presented by SBL Media in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, with backing from State House Uganda and other public and private stakeholders.
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Stars, Style and Storytelling
The festival’s main stage drew massive crowds as top Ugandan entertainers, including Cindy Sanyu, Vyper Ranking and celebrated comedian Salvador, delivered electrifying performances that kept the audience engaged from afternoon into the night.
Fashion also took centre stage, with runway showcases featuring warrior-inspired designs that fused traditional motifs with modern aesthetics, offering visual narratives rooted in heritage and reinvention.
Beyond performance, film screenings and visual art exhibitions provided spaces for reflection and storytelling, highlighting the growing sophistication of Uganda’s creative industries.
Creativity as Culture and Commerce
Across the expansive grounds, exhibition stalls displayed locally made baskets, beads, artworks and crafts, connecting creators directly with the public and turning culture into commerce. For many young creatives, the festival doubled as a networking hub – a space to connect, collaborate and access opportunities within the creative economy.
The event’s free entry reinforced its inclusive spirit, ensuring that the celebration of national culture was accessible to families, young people and creatives from all backgrounds.
A Vision of Unity
At its core, the Uganda One Festival carries a clear ambition: to serve as a global showcase of Uganda’s creative spirit and cultural heritage, while uniting more than 50 tribes through art, innovation and shared stories.
That vision was evident throughout the day as Ugandans from diverse regions and cultures mingled, celebrated and shared in a collective national experience.
By anchoring the festival at Kololo Independence Grounds, a site steeped in Uganda’s history – organisers symbolically linked the nation’s past with its creative future. As the music pulsed until midnight, the message resonated clearly: Uganda’s diversity is its strength, and its creativity, the rhythm that binds the nation together.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
