Bayimba Cultural Foundation

Kampala · UG

Bayimba Cultural Foundation is the Kampala non-profit behind most of Uganda's independent arts infrastructure, now anchored on a purpose-built creative campus on Lunkulu Island in the Mukono and Buikwe districts of Lake Victoria. Its flagship is the Bayimba International Festival of the Arts, whose 18th edition lands on the island 28 to 30 August 2026 with Jose Chameleone, Winnie Nwagi, John Blaq, Karole Kasita, Kataleya and Kandle, Ava Peace, Sandra K Busoga Princess and the Nilotica Ensemble billed. It also runs DOADOA, the East African Performing Arts Market, whose 2026 call invites solo artists, bands, ensembles and both contemporary and traditional musicians from Uganda and across East Africa into the official showcase programme, judged on artistic quality, performance readiness and market potential, and applied for through a Jotform; the 2026 edition puts particular weight on women artists, artists living with disabilities and refugee-led groups. A third strand, the Future Imaginations Festival at the Bayimba Centre from 31 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 on the theme Shaping the Future, takes emailed proposals at a named address until 31 August 2026 and pays selected artists a 500 dollar performance fee plus accommodation, with selections announced by 15 November 2026. Beyond the festivals Bayimba runs an academy, an arts journalism programme and Culture Unlimited Radio. General enquiries go to a general address, the contact form at bayimba.org/contact, or +256 779 644 905.