Kampala, 1 January 2026 — Across Uganda, the arrival of the New Year 2026 was marked with jubilant celebrations, prayers, and spectacular fireworks, as citizens embraced the start of a new year with faith, music, and community gatherings.
In the capital, believers flocked to Namirembe Cathedral for the traditional Cross Over night service. Rev. Moses Ssenyonyi, Chaplain of St. Mark’s College, Namagoma, urged Christians to embrace love, forgiveness, and unity as they step into 2026. “Let go of past grievances and begin the New Year with renewed faith and hope,” he said.
Catholic faithful at Lubaga Cathedral participated in Eucharistic Adoration led by Rev. Fr. Anthony Musaala, followed by Holy Mass, while congregants at Munyonyo Minor Basilica engaged in praise and worship to welcome the New Year. Similar spiritual vigils took place at The Worship House in Nansana, where Pastor Wilson Bugembe led prayers of thanksgiving for the year gone by.
Across the country, other denominations marked the occasion with large gatherings. In Soroti, Christians of all denominations attended the “Pass Overnight” event at Soroti Senior Secondary School, while the Victory Christian Centre-Ndeeba organised the 2025–2026 Passover Festival at Doxa Grounds in Lubowa-Makindye, Ssabagabo.
Entertainment and celebrations were equally vibrant. In Kampala, Abitex Promotions hosted a high-profile event at the Cricket Oval in Lugogo, featuring Congolese music sensation Awilo Longomba, where a father was spotted dancing while cradling his baby in anticipation of the countdown.
Legendary Ugandan artist Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone, performed in Arua City at Hotel Le-Confidentiel, with a UPDF soldier capturing the performance on film. Hundreds of revellers braved the cold night to enjoy the fireworks and music at venues including Beal Mall Hotel in Arua and Osidribiku trading centre in Maracha District near the Uganda-DR Congo border.
Traffic along major routes, including Entebbe Road near Freedom City, was temporarily halted as fireworks lit up the night sky, offering residents a breathtaking spectacle. In Soroti city, market streets overflowed with people celebrating the New Year, while Dr Hilderman Kiyaga led worshipers in song and prayer to welcome 2026.
Christian leaders also used the moment to call for reflection and peace. The Right Reverend Kosea Odongo, Bishop of the Soroti Anglican Diocese, condemned election-related violence ahead of the 2026 general polls and prayed for peaceful elections and national unity.
From Kampala to Soroti, Nansana to Arua, Ugandans entered 2026 with a mix of spiritual reflection, joyous music, and spectacular fireworks—a collective celebration of hope, faith, and new beginnings.
