Everything you need to know about applying to Uganda One Festival 2026. Pick your role, prepare your documents, and we'll see you at Kololo.
🌟 Overview
Uganda One Festival is Uganda's flagship celebration of creativity, culture, and innovation. We invite four kinds of applicants — read on to find the right role for you.
⏱️ Review Time3 – 7 business days after submission
🎪 Exhibitor
Showcase your innovation, art, craft, or product in one of 9 creative domains. Each approved exhibitor gets a dedicated booth.
✅ Who should apply: Innovators, designers, artists, craftsmen, creators, software developers, cultural preservationists, fashion brands, authors — anyone with a tangible product, project, or piece of work to display.
🎯 Choose your domain
You'll be asked to pick one of these 9 creative domains:
🎵Music
🎭Performing Arts
🎨Visual Arts & Crafts
🎬Film and Photography
📚Books & Publishing
💻Software, Innovation and Digital Media
🏛️National and Cultural Heritage
🤝Creative Enterprises
👗Fashion
📋 What you'll need
Personal infoName, contact, region, gender, age
Product / Project detailsName, description (20+ chars), stage of development
Portfolio link (optional)Website, Instagram, YouTube, GitHub etc.
📸 Photos, Videos, Prototypes & Sounds *RequiredUp to 16MB total — JPG, PNG, MP4, audio. Required for approval.
Group info (if applicable)Team size and gender breakdown
Space preferencesStandard, Premium, or Custom booth
📸 Media Required for Approval: Photos, videos, prototypes, sound samples, or other supporting media must be submitted with your application. Applications without media will not be considered for approval.
🎁 What you get if approved
A dedicated booth with unique code (e.g. MUS-005)
Inclusion in the public exhibitor directory
Festival accreditation badge & QR pass
Networking with potential buyers, investors, and partners
Sell food, merchandise, or services on-site. Vendors get a stall in the Food Court or Merchandise Area.
✅ Who should apply: Food vendors, drink stalls, merchandise sellers, retail businesses, service providers (e.g. printing, photography on the day), boutique brands.
🍔 Vendor types
Food — restaurant or food prep on-site (requires valid health clearance)
Exhibition — non-sales display of business products
Service — on-site services like printing, photography, makeup
Other — any business not in the above categories
📋 What you'll need
Business detailsBusiness name, contact person
Personal infoRegion, gender, age of primary contact
Stall preferenceBooth size and location preference
Product description20+ characters describing what you'll sell
📸 Photos, Videos & Samples *RequiredSupporting media required for approval.
Health clearance (food only)Required for food vendors
Fire safety acknowledgmentFor all vendors
📸 Media Required for Approval: Photos, videos, or other supporting media of your products or business must be submitted with your application. Applications without media will not be considered for approval.
💰 Fees & Payment
Vendor fees are determined based on your vendor type and booth size. Fees are payable only after your application is approved — an authorised festival agent will contact you directly with full payment details and instructions upon approval.
Payment methods: Bank Transfer, Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, Cash deposit.
📖
Want the full picture?
Compliance details for food vendors, payment instructions, and a step-by-step approval walkthrough.
Perform on one of our three stages. We program music, dance, theatre, comedy, and traditional performances.
✅ Who should apply: Solo musicians, bands, DJs, dancers, choreographers, theatre groups, comedians, traditional performers, poets, spoken-word artists.
🎭 Stages available
Main Stage — headline acts, large audience
Cultural Stage — traditional & cultural performances
Acoustic Lounge — intimate acoustic sets
📋 What you'll need
Personal infoName, stage name, region, gender, age
Performance typeMusic, dance, theatre, comedy, etc.
🎬 Performance Media *RequiredVideos, audio recordings — required for approval.
Streaming / portfolio linksYouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, social media
🎬 Media Required for Approval: Performance videos, audio recordings, or other supporting media must be submitted with your application. Applications without media will not be considered for approval.
Support Uganda One Festival as a brand sponsor, media partner, or institutional supporter.
✅ Who should apply: Companies, brands, NGOs, government agencies, educational institutions, embassies, media houses, foundations, banks, and telecom operators looking for high-visibility cultural partnerships.
Uganda One Festival 2026 hosts a dedicated Fashion Week show. Apply across 9 roles — individual or group.
✅ Who should apply: Designers, models, stylists, photographers, makeup artists, hair artists, brands/labels, choreographers, and other fashion professionals (PR, casting, sound, lighting).
🎭 Roles you can apply for
✂️ DesignerCreate collections & lead the runway
👗 ModelRunway, editorial, commercial
👔 StylistCurate looks for shows
📸 PhotographerRunway, editorial, BTS
💄 Makeup ArtistBeauty looks for runway
💇 Hair ArtistHairstyling for shows
🏷️ Brand / LabelEstablished houses
💃 ChoreographerDirect runway movement
👥 Individual or group
You can apply as an individual (yourself only) or as a group / collective / agency (e.g. a modelling agency bringing several models, or a design studio with their styling team).
📋 What you'll need
Personal infoName, contact, region, gender, age (13+)
Bio (30+ chars)Who you are in fashion
📸 Portfolio Media *RequiredPhotos, videos required for approval. Instagram, TikTok, website, Google Drive etc.
Designers: collection detailsName, theme, style category, # of pieces
📸 Media Required for Approval: Portfolio photos, videos, or other supporting media must be submitted with your application. Applications without media will not be considered for approval.
🎬 What you can request
Preferred runway slot (opening / prime / closing / any)
Dressing area access
Makeup and hair artist support
Specific music / playlist for your walk
Lighting preferences
Accommodation and transport assistance
🎁 What you get if approved
A confirmed slot in Uganda's biggest Fashion Week of 2026
Professional production: stage, lights, sound, dressing rooms
Coverage in printed and digital festival programmes
Backstage access for your team and one PR guest
Photography credits — work with our editorial team
Networking with buyers, agencies, and fashion media
💡 Tip: Strong portfolio links and clear collection themes (for designers) significantly boost your chances. Add Instagram, TikTok, and a Google Drive folder of your best work.
From submission to festival day — what to expect at each stage.
Submit your application via the appropriate form (links above). It takes about 5–10 minutes.
Instant receipt — within seconds you'll get an email and SMS with your unique tracking number (e.g. EXH-2026-A8K3M).
Review period (3–7 days) — our committee evaluates each application. You can check status at register/track/ anytime.
Decision notification — approved, waitlisted, or unfortunately not selected. Notified by email + SMS.
If approved: confirm within 14 days via the secure link in your invitation email. Don't worry — we'll send reminders if needed.
Allocation — booth code, performance slot, or stall is assigned. Final invitation card sent with QR pass.
Festival day! Show up at Kololo, scan your QR pass at entry, and find your assigned area.
🔍 Lost your tracking number? Use the track page — you can also search by email address.
📱 Quick Apply by QR Code
Print this page, share these QR codes on posters, or screenshot them to share on social media.
📲 Scan with any phone camera
Each QR jumps directly to the matching application form.
🎪 Exhibitor
🛒 Vendor
🎤 Performer
🤝 Partner
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the application really free?
Yes, 100%. There's no application fee for any of the four roles. Booth fees, stall fees, or sponsorship packages only apply after you're approved and confirm participation.
How long does the review take?
Most decisions come within 3–7 business days. Complex applications (partners, large groups) may take up to 10 days. You'll always get an email + SMS notification of the decision.
Can I apply for more than one role?
Yes — for example, a band could apply as both a Performer (to perform) and a Vendor (to sell merchandise). Submit separate applications for each role.
Can I edit my application after submitting?
Not directly — but you can email us at info@ugandaonefestival.com with your tracking number and the changes you need. Major changes (e.g. switching roles) may require a fresh application.
What if I don't get an email confirmation?
Check your spam/junk folder first. If still nothing, visit the track page and search by your email — if your application is in the system, it'll show up. Then email us so we can resend the confirmation.
Will I be paid for performing?
Performance fees vary by stage, slot, and act. Headlining Main Stage acts and selected Cultural Stage acts may receive an honorarium; emerging artists at Acoustic Lounge typically perform for exposure. Specific terms are discussed during the confirmation stage.
Can I bring a team / group?
Yes. The exhibitor and artist forms ask for group size. Larger groups may need additional accreditation passes — these can be requested after approval.
What documents do I need to upload?
Each role has different requirements — see the relevant section above. Photos, videos, prototypes, audio samples, or portfolio media are required for all applicants and must be submitted to be considered for approval. Health clearance is additionally required for food vendors.
When does registration close?
Applications close on 30 June 2026, or earlier if all slots fill up. Apply as soon as possible — popular domains and stages fill quickly.
Where can I get more help?
Email info@ugandaonefestival.com or call +256 788 474 635. We're happy to walk you through the application live.