Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan turned away some guests from her 46th birthday celebration in Kampala after they allegedly failed to meet the formal dress code she had set for the event.
The invitation-only party was held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel in Nsambya under a black-and-white theme.
Videos from the event showed Zari directing security to remove some guests who arrived in casual clothing, including jeans and T-shirts.
Zari had earlier indicated that the celebration would be strictly by invitation and that guests were expected to dress formally.
The dress-code incident became one of the talking points from the party, with social media reactions divided between those who supported Zari’s decision to enforce the rules and others who considered the approach too strict.
Away from the entrance drama, the celebration featured music, dancing, speeches and cake-cutting, with musicians including Spice Diana, Karole Kasita and Elijah Kitaka performing. DJ Trizzy handled the music, while socialite Bad Black was among the guests who addressed the gathering.
Zari’s husband, Shakib Cham, was also present at the celebration. Videos from the event showed him participating in the festivities, including showering Zari with dollar notes and sharing a cake moment with her.
Zari’s birthday fell on September 23. She has said she was born in 1980 and has encouraged women to embrace their age and prioritise self-care.
The birthday celebration capped a week of festivities for the socialite, with the strict dress code ensuring that the event attracted attention beyond the invited guests.
