Kadoodi Festival 2025 as it happened

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The Kadoodi Festival 2025 took place at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) grounds on Saturday afternoon (May 3). The event attracted several Bagisu men and women, who turned up to celebrate culture.

Culturally speaking, circumcision among the Bagisu takes place in even years, and it is during that time that the whole world witnesses the celebratory Kadoodi dance, that accompanies circumcision. So, what were the odds that the Kadoodi Festival would get the heat in 2025?

What happened at the UMA showgrounds on Saturday was momentous. The Bagisu came in droves, and the fanfare went on for about eight hours. It was hard to separate the stage from the audience. It was even harder to tell who danced better, the Kadoodi professional troops, or the overzealous audience?

There were also shelters set up in the traditional way. It is where many retired after the heavy dancing. While there, the main activity was drinking different locally made brews.

By evening time, the place was filled to capacity with youth, mostly boys and girls who were all dressed to identify with the Bamasaba culture.

There was also the popular culture moment, when artistes like Dorah The Don, a young and energetic dance hall artiste from Mbale, took to the stage. Umar Eazie and Christopher Mustapher, the 62-year-old Kadoodi recording artiste, were also crowd pleasers.

“I started recording music in 1974 when I was 11 years old, and I am still performing today. I have 20 recorded songs and I usually come to Kampala for different events when invited,” revealed Mustapher.

Amos Wekesa, the tourism promoter, said the event has the potential to become an international festival. “This event will grow and grow bigger in future because the Bagisu drums are the best in producing organic and melodic sounds,” he said.

“Next year, we shall organise it at a much bigger place,” promised Cindrella Ddamba, the event organiser.

Vision Group's Maria Wamala captured the moments