KAMPALA · Culture
The Uganda International Trade Fair is under way and PyCon Africa opened on Wednesday 7 October. Here is the month, day by day.
KAMPALA — Kampala’s October is busiest in the first ten days, when the Uganda International Trade Fair, a fintech conference, PyCon Africa and the Independence Day holiday all overlap. This guide lists what is worth crossing the city for, with dates and venues checked on the organisers’ own pages on 5 October 2026. Several ticket prices could not be confirmed, so we do not quote them.
Uganda’s Independence Day falls on Friday 9 October. Many residents take a long weekend, and a cluster of night events runs from Thursday 8 October to Saturday 10 October. Later in the month come a jazz and soul benefit and a community run.
Tickets are sold mostly through Quicket Uganda, the local ticketing site. We convert shillings at about USh3,900 to US$1 (RT, 5 October), so US$ figures are approximate. Past events, including Kiryalive on 3 October, are left out.
2 to 11 October: Trade Fair, fintech and PyCon
Friday 2 to Sunday 11 October, 09:00 to 20:00 daily
Uganda International Trade Fair (32nd edition)
UMA Show Grounds, Lugogo · Entry USh10,000 (about US$2.55)
Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) runs the fair for ten days. Its theme this year is formalising trade, and it adds a “Black Deals” discount platform. The programme listed an official opening ceremony on Tuesday 6 October. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends.
Tuesday 6 to Wednesday 7 October
8th FITSPA Annual Fintech Conference
Sheraton Kampala Hotel · Registration through FITSPA
The Financial Technology Service Providers Association hosted two days on scaling fintech and digital payments on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October. Mobile-money operators and banks sponsor it. Ticket prices were not published; details are at fitspa.ug.
Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October
PyCon Africa 2026
Speke Resort Munyonyo · Individual ticket US$75 (regular), corporate US$155 · Tickets on Quicket Uganda
The continent’s Python programming conference is in Kampala this year, with five days of talks and workshops. Quicket lists student tickets as sold out. A Humble Data workshop is planned for Thursday 8 October.
8 to 10 October: Independence weekend
Thursday 8 October
Edwizzy Fest
Black Panther Kampala, Bukoto–Kisasi, Kisota Road · Tickets on Quicket Uganda; check the listing for the price · No under-18s
A day-to-night party with a headline set by Edwizzy, DJs, food and VIP tables. It falls on the eve of Independence Day, so arrange your ride home in advance.
Thursday 8 October
AFROBEEZA
Vanquish Lounge, Acacia Mall rooftop, 14–18 Cooper Road · Tickets on Quicket Uganda; check the listing for the price
Soul Events Africa presents an EDM, house and Afro house night on a rooftop. It is the more electronic option of the holiday week.
Friday 9 October, all day
Uganda Independence Day
National public holiday
Uganda marks its 64th independence anniversary on 9 October. Government offices close for the day. Cabinet suspended national celebrations from the 2026/27 financial year, so this year’s event is scaled down and held at State House Entebbe rather than Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala (Nile Post, The Ankole Times). Check the official programme for any ceremonies or road closures before travelling.
Friday 9 October
Strictly Nyigos in the Jungle
Nyungu Yamawe Forest Park, Kitukutwe · Tickets on Quicket Uganda; check the listing for the price · No under-18s
DJ Alza hosts an outdoor party in a forest park outside the city. Plan transport carefully, because Kitukutwe is a long drive from central Kampala.
Friday 9 October
The Sound Oasis Silent Disco
NINAZ Bistro Bar and Gardens, Kimbeja Road · Tickets on Quicket Uganda; check the listing for the price · No under-18s
Guests wear headphones and pick between DJ channels. The organiser, Dark Roast Media, also lists video games, board games and a pool table.
11 to 31 October: Music and running
Saturday 24 October, 17:00
The Kampala Jazz & Soul Benefit
UMA Multi-Purpose Hall, UMA Show Grounds, Jinja Road · Tickets on Quicket Uganda; check the listing for the price
The line-up is not confirmed here, so check the organiser, Jazz Benefit Concert Events, before you go. Quicket gives the start as 17:00 and the end time as midnight.
Sunday 25 October, 06:00 to 14:00
Kampala Bee Run 2026
Set Her Free, Dr. Sembeguya Road · Listed as free on Eventbrite
The Kampala Buzzline project combines a community run with pollinator conservation and urban greening. The Eventbrite listing shows no ticket price, so confirm with the organisers, Marafiki International, before you go.
What it means for you
If you are visiting from the United States, the Trade Fair and PyCon Africa are the easiest ways to meet Ugandan businesses and developers in one week. Ticket prices vary and several are not confirmed, so check each listing before you plan a budget. Many holiday-week events run late, so arrange your transport home in advance.
For background on the country, see our Uganda coverage. If you are planning a wider East Africa trip, compare our guides to Kigali and Dar es Salaam in October 2026.
We could not confirm ticket prices for most events listed here, nor the opening times of several night events, so we leave them out. We also could not confirm road closures for 9 October, which the authorities usually announce days beforehand. Check each organiser or ticket page before you commit, because times and venues can change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Kampala in October 2026?
The 32nd Uganda International Trade Fair runs from 2 to 11 October at the UMA Show Grounds in Lugogo. PyCon Africa 2026 runs from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Is there a public holiday in Kampala in October 2026?
Yes. Uganda Independence Day falls on Friday 9 October 2026 and is a national public holiday.
How much does the Uganda International Trade Fair cost?
Entry is USh10,000 (about US$2.55) according to the organisers. It is open from 09:00 to 20:00 each day from 2 to 11 October.
Where can I buy tickets for Kampala events in October 2026?
Most listed events sell tickets on Quicket Uganda (quicket.co.ug). The Kampala Bee Run uses Eventbrite, and FITSPA handles registration for its fintech conference through fitspa.ug.
How much is a PyCon Africa 2026 ticket?
Quicket lists a regular individual ticket at US$75 and a corporate ticket at US$155. Student tickets are sold out.
Sources: Uganda Manufacturers’ Association, UGITF 2026, FITSPA, PyCon Africa, Quicket: PyCon Africa, Quicket: Edwizzy Fest, Quicket: Jazz & Soul Benefit, Eventbrite: Kampala Bee Run. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
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