Holidays, Customs & Traditions in
Uganda
By Shamirah Bamwese,
Natash Aidah Nabirye and
Namulondo Priscilla
Holidays
• On all public holidays schools and government
offices do not open
• Private businesses continue normally
• Special shows by music artists are held through
out the country
• Some public holidays are simply announced
depending on circumstances. For example when
an important or national people die and the
government declares morning days.
• Here are the known public holidays:
1st Jan: New Year’s Day
• It is well known by Ugandans that getting into
a new year is hard.
• Celebrations begin at mid-night of 31st
December. Once the clock ticks 12.00 am a
wave of shouting, drumming, singing and
fireworks sweeps into the atmosphere. This is
the most important ordinary public holiday in
the lives of most Ugandans.
26th January: Liberation Day
 Uganda Liberation Day marks the events of January 26, 1986, when
the military junta was overthrown by the current government after
a five-year civil war.
8th March: International Women's Day
 Uganda is promoting liberation of women from religious, legal, economic, and sexual
oppression, their access to higher education in possible. The struggle for sexual equality is
ongoing. Women in Uganda use this day to celebrate their achievement in various sectors.
Female members of Uganda Police & Army
march as part of the International Women's
day celebrations. (Bottom left) Women
dancing on this day
April: Good Friday & Easter Day
• Celebrated by Christians in different churches
commemorating the death and resurrection of
our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Government uses this day to reflect on how to create
more employment opportunities, promote a
conducive work environment and improve
productivity, Consolidate and recognize the
workers role in production and development.
3rd June: Martyrs' Day
• This marks the climax of the
execution of twenty six
Christians at Namugongo on
June 3, 1886; by the major
tribal King in Uganda.
• 22 of these were Catholic
believers & were declared
"Blessed" by Pope Benedict
XV in 1920.
• A church was constructed
pictured here. Pilgrimage is
made by Christians to this
spot on this day.
9th June: National Heroes' Day
• People who have sacrificed themselves to better
the lives of the Ugandan people are recognized
with medals on this day. Even those who died in
liberation wars are remembered on this day.

People who have sacrificed for the good of Uganda are
recognized with medal on this day. Even those who
died in liberation wars are remembered on this day
9th October: Independence Day
• This is the day when Uganda got independence
from Britain, the colonial rulers, in 1962.

Muslims slaughter animals and serve themselves
and others. It is required that the meat from the
sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is given away to others
and that one-third is eaten by immediate family
and relatives, one-third is given away to friends,
and one-third is donated to the poor.
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25th December: Christmas Day
Most celebrated and prepared for day by families and individuals.
The birth of Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated on this day.
Prayers are conducted all around the country and in all Christian churches. After
prayer a lot of eating and drinking marks the day.
There are many public shows by local music artists.
The prices of items go high days before and after this day
Homes are decorated with lit Christmas trees or branches and in some cases you
find a BIG father Christmas 
26th December: Boxing Day
• A day for presenting gifts in boxes
Traditions and Customs
• There are many traditions and customs in Uganda
due to existence of very many tribes and clans.
• One tribe can have many clans and each clan has
a totem (Animal or plant not eaten by members
of the clan). A totem
• However, traditional dancing uniquely
distinguishes most of them.
• Other traditions include circumcisions,
coronations of kings
Here are a few ceremonies:
Northern Uganda
War dance
Other cultural dances
Marriage Ceremonial attires
Royal Ceremonies and tombs
Above: The youngest of the
kings in the country
Men in traditional attire lift the king high.
The brown attire is made the a bark of
tree.
On the right is one of the King’s tombs
List is Long!
• Bye for now.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
HAPPY NEW YRAR