SeasonMapWhat's on in Kampala, Uganda through the year
Kampala, Uganda has 5 curated events through the year — 1 festival, 3 holidays and 1 season. The ones to plan around: Kampala City Festival (September) and Uganda Martyrs Day (June). June, July and October are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Kampala events and crowds by month
January in Kampala
Kampala weather in January →Busy — Festive exodus, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
Still on: Festive exodus (20 Dec – 4 Jan)
February in Kampala
Kampala weather in February →Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in February.
March in Kampala
Kampala weather in March →Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in March.
April in Kampala
Kampala weather in April →Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in April.
May in Kampala
Kampala weather in May →Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in May.
June in Kampala
Kampala weather in June →Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Uganda Martyrs Day
- Holiday
Uganda Martyrs Day
1–4 JunNational holidayCrowdedClosuresPilgrims walk to the Namugongo shrines on the city's north-east edge for 3 June, some of them for weeks and from as far as Kenya and Tanzania. The northern approaches are solid for two days. Source ↗
July in Kampala
Kampala weather in July →Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in July.
August in Kampala
Kampala weather in August →Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather
Nothing new starts in August.
September in Kampala
Kampala weather in September →Busy — Kampala City Festival, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
- Season
The second rains
10 Sep – 30 Nov · usuallyMonsoonRiskStorms build over the lake in the afternoon and arrive hard for an hour. The valleys between the hills flood fast, boda riders stop under the flyovers, and the city stops with them.
- Festival
Kampala City Festival
28 Sep – 12 Oct · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedThe city authority closes Kampala Road and the centre for a one-day street carnival with stages at the junctions. It draws hundreds of thousands and the date is announced late. Source ↗
October in Kampala
Kampala weather in October →Peak crowds — Kampala City Festival, Independence Day
- Holiday
Independence Day
9 OctNational holidayClosuresThe 9 October holiday closes offices and banks. The national ceremony rotates around the districts, so in most years Kampala simply gets a quiet day and lighter traffic. Source ↗
Still on: The second rains (10 Sep – 30 Nov (usually)), Kampala City Festival (28 Sep – 12 Oct (usually))
November in Kampala
Kampala weather in November →Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in November.
Still on: The second rains (10 Sep – 30 Nov (usually))
December in Kampala
Kampala weather in December →Busy — Festive exodus, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it
- Holiday
Festive exodus
20 Dec – 4 JanChristmas & New YearClosuresKampala empties towards the villages for Christmas and stays empty until after New Year. Traffic is the lightest of the year, and a good share of the offices and smaller places to eat are shut. Source ↗