On May 23rd and 24th, the WordPress and tech community gathered once again in Kampala for the 5th edition of WordCamp Kampala, marking another important milestone for Uganda’s growing open-source and digital innovation ecosystem.
Hosted at ESAMI on Bombo Road, WordCamp Kampala 2026 brought together developers, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, content creators, students, and digital innovators under this year’s theme: “Tech for Social Good.”
The event was also notable for being the second WordCamp hosted in Uganda during the 2026 calendar year, following WordCamp Mukono in March, reflecting the continued growth of the WordPress and open-source movement within the country.
A Growing WordPress Community in Uganda
Over two impactful days, attendees explored conversations and activities around artificial intelligence, accessibility, digital inclusion, creativity, community building, open source contribution, and the future of WordPress in an AI-driven world. The program featured more than 10 speakers and sessions designed to inspire learning, collaboration, and practical innovation.
This year’s edition highlighted how far the WordPress community in Uganda has evolved from small meetup gatherings into a growing ecosystem of developers, creators, agencies, students, and digital entrepreneurs building with WordPress and open-source technologies.
WordCamp Kampala 2026 also welcomed a strong number of first-time attendees who were experiencing both WordCamp Kampala and the wider WordPress community for the very first time. The event additionally attracted participants from other tech communities across Uganda, creating opportunities for cross-community learning, collaboration, and networking.
Day 1: DoAction & Contributor Sessions
One of the highlights of the event was the DoAction & Contributor Day sessions, where participants worked together on community-focused initiatives and contributed back to the WordPress ecosystem.
From onboarding new contributors to discussions around documentation, community building, accessibility, and open-source collaboration, the sessions reinforced the idea that technology should not only drive business and innovation, but also create meaningful social impact.
A standout moment during the DoAction session was when one of the teams successfully built a functional website for Sure Prospects Inclusive Secondary School, demonstrating how collaborative effort and open-source tools can directly support real-world educational impact.
The atmosphere throughout the day reflected the true spirit of WordPress people learning together, helping one another, and building solutions for the wider community.
Conversations, Ideas & Inspiring Sessions
The speaker lineup reflected the diversity and strength of Africa’s digital community, with sessions from speakers including Ralph Musiime, Joan Namunina, Hussein Kizza, Sheba Ayinzabyonna, Tusiime Boub, Rashid Migadde, Rogers Mukalele, Caleb Jephuneh, and other contributors who shared practical insights, personal journeys, and forward-looking ideas.
Sessions explored topics ranging from AI and the future of WordPress to community building, accessibility, digital creativity, innovation, and opportunities within the African tech ecosystem.
One of the standout moments was the panel discussion centered on Artificial Intelligence and the future of web development. While acknowledging the rapid rise of AI tools and automation, panelists encouraged attendees not to abandon the fundamentals of web development, creativity, and human-centered problem solving.
The event also attracted a number of new speakers, giving fresh voices within the community an opportunity to share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives with attendees.
More Than Just Talks
Beyond the sessions, WordCamp Kampala 2026 created space for mentorship, networking, collaboration, and meaningful community connection.
Hallway conversations, sponsor interactions, photography moments, and informal meetups reminded everyone that WordCamp is more than just a conference it is a community experience.
For many attendees, the event became a place to meet future collaborators, mentors, clients, and friends within the African WordPress ecosystem.
The event also featured exciting giveaways and community moments that added to the overall experience. One of the most memorable highlights was the recognition of Sibusiso Khoza, who traveled all the way from South Africa to attend WordCamp Kampala 2026. His journey reflected the growing regional impact of the event and the strength of the African WordPress community coming together across borders.
Reflecting on the Journey Since 2017
This year’s edition also demonstrated how far the Kampala WordPress community has come since its early beginnings in 2017, as highlighted by Arthur Kasirye during his brief “State of WordPress in Uganda” session.
From a small local gathering to a regional tech event attracting attendees from across Uganda and beyond, WordCamp Kampala continues to evolve into a platform where people learn, connect, and grow together.
Looking Ahead
As technology rapidly changes through AI, automation, and digital transformation, WordCamp Kampala 2026 encouraged attendees to think critically about how technology can remain human-centered, inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the incredible volunteers, organizers, speakers, sponsors, photographers, community partners, and attendees who dedicated their time, energy, and passion to making the event memorable.
To everyone who attended, supported, volunteered, sponsored, or shared the experience online thank you for being part of the journey.
Here’s to growing the open web, strengthening communities, and building technology that truly makes a difference.
See you at the next WordCamp.
