The third edition of the Kampala Writes LitFest has concluded in Kampala, Uganda, after three days of literary and artistic programming held from August 28–30, 2026. Themed “Where Stories Begin: The Imaginary and the Art of Possibility,” the festival explored storytelling as a shared language across creative disciplines, examining how narratives are shaped, transmitted and reimagined while celebrating both traditional forms and emerging modes of expression.

Founded in 2024 by the Goethe-Zentrum Kampala, the Kampala Writes LitFest is regarded as Uganda’s premier literature festival, bringing together writers, artists and cultural practitioners from Africa and beyond. The 2026 edition featured panel discussions, book talks, workshops, masterclasses, performances, film screenings and children’s sessions, with literary icon Chika Unigwe serving as the keynote guest. The festival was curated by Goretti Kyomuhendo, who described the theme as an invitation to consider the origins of stories and the role of imagination in rethinking history and envisioning alternative futures.

The Caine Prize for African Writing partnered with the Goethe-Zentrum Kampala as an institutional supporter and partner for the 2026 festival, which was also supported by the Open Society Foundations. With its emphasis on Uganda’s storytelling traditions alongside contemporary literary and artistic practices, the festival’s third edition further positioned Kampala as a growing meeting point for literary and cultural exchange across the continent.

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