ZANZIBAR, Tanzania — Ugandan music star Jose Chameleone has met Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the 2026 Kizimkazi Festival in Zanzibar, adding a high-profile Ugandan presence to one of the region’s growing cultural and tourism events.
Chameleone was among the entertainment figures attending the festival in South Unguja, where music and cultural performances were combined with tourism promotion, business exhibitions, traditional competitions and community development initiatives.
The festival, which runs from August 11 to 14, has increasingly evolved beyond entertainment into a platform for showcasing Zanzibar’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities.
President Samia was scheduled to preside over the closing ceremony on August 14, while Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi officially opened the main programme on August 12.
Chameleone’s appearance has brought an East African music dimension to an event that organisers have positioned as a vehicle for tourism, investment and community development.
Kizimkazi festival expands beyond entertainment
The 2026 edition has been designed around a broader programme combining entertainment with cultural showcases, business exhibitions and development activities.
Organisers said the festival would feature exhibitions, cultural activities and entertainment programmes while providing opportunities to promote tourism and investment in South Unguja.
The programme has also included the launch of development projects, reflecting the festival’s growing emphasis on tangible community benefits.
According to Tanzanian media reports, six projects were scheduled for inauguration on August 13, with foundation stones also to be laid for three additional projects.
The projects form part of organisers’ wider effort to position Kizimkazi not only as a cultural destination but also as an area with investment potential.
Mwinyi calls for stronger tourism promotion
During the opening of the festival, Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi challenged organisers and stakeholders to use the event to promote the islands as a destination for tourists and investors.
Mwinyi highlighted Zanzibar’s coastal attractions, cultural heritage and economic opportunities as assets that could help attract visitors and investment.
The festival provides a platform to showcase the islands’ beaches, cuisine, spices, historical sites and other attractions while exposing visitors to local traditions and businesses.
Organisers have also highlighted opportunities in tourism and hospitality, the blue economy, fishing, trade and other services as part of the investment potential associated with Kizimkazi.
Chameleone adds regional star power
Chameleone’s participation adds a regional entertainment dimension to the festival, reflecting the event’s growing ability to attract artists and visitors beyond Zanzibar and Tanzania.
The Ugandan singer has maintained a strong connection with the wider East African music market, including Tanzania, where his music has enjoyed a significant following.
In June, Tanzanian media reported that Chameleone had been selected as the first East African artist to perform at Bongo Flava Honors, another indication of his continued influence within the region’s music industry.
His appearance at Kizimkazi therefore comes amid continued cross-border engagement between East African artists and audiences.
The singer’s presence also underscores the festival’s transformation from a community-based celebration into an event capable of bringing together entertainers, political leaders, businesses, investors and communities.
From community celebration to economic platform
Kizimkazi Festival has its roots in a community initiative and was initially associated with Samia Day before developing into a larger annual celebration.
The event was established to preserve local culture, promote community development and showcase the tourism and investment potential of Kizimkazi.
Over the years, its programme has expanded to include cultural activities, entertainment, business opportunities and development projects.
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The 2026 edition reflects that evolution, with organisers seeking to use the festival to attract tourists, investors and development partners while giving local communities an opportunity to showcase their products, traditions and businesses.
For Zanzibar, the festival offers another avenue to market the islands beyond their established reputation as a beach destination.
For artists such as Chameleone, meanwhile, events such as Kizimkazi provide an opportunity to strengthen cultural links across East Africa and reach audiences beyond national borders.
With President Samia attending the closing ceremony, the festival has once again brought together Tanzania’s political leadership, the entertainment industry and local communities around a shared emphasis on culture, tourism, investment and development.
