Havering Councillors Knock Back Ugandan Festival On Safety Grounds After It Was Billed As ‘The Biggest Festival For Ugandans In The UK.’

A planned African-themed festival will not go ahead after Havering councillors were left “unconvinced” it would be safe and well organised, writes local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann.

Organiser Daudi Mosh Alim had applied to Havering Council for permission to host Uganda Festival in the grounds of the Damyn’s Hall Aerodrome, in Upminster, on 6th September.

Promotional material for the event boasted 13 live acts as well as drinks and food stalls, and it was billed as the “biggest festival” for Ugandans in the UK.

It received significant pushback from the Metropolitan Police, who said the organisers had not consulted with the safety advisory group and there were no plans for handling the threat of drugs and weapons.

The force was also suspicious of the organisers’ imposed limit of 499 attendees at the near eleven-hour event, after they unsuccessfully sought permission for a 5,000-strong event in Merton. They advertised the event in Havering as being “bigger, louder and better”.

At a licensing meeting on the 27 August, PC Grote said it would be “impossible” to police at such short notice and members of the public “could be put at risk”.

Alim said that so far 300 tickets had been sold and if the numbers did exceed 499, there was room for the event to be split across the Saturday and Sunday. The second day would require a separate temporary events notice.

He added that he would employ a “very good” security company that he had worked with for more than a decade that would “ensure” it stayed below 499 attendees.

He told the sub-committee he had ten years of experience and “knew how to control people”. “We can assure you that people will be safe,” he added.

Both the Met and committee expressed concern over the volume of cars that would be parking at the grounds, which would be “disruptive” for residents and shoppers in Upminster.

The committee, made up of three elected councillors, was ultimately “not convinced” the organisers would be able to ensure people were safe and to prevent crime and public nuisance.

Speaking after the meeting, a representative from the festival said they “felt let down and surprised” by the decision.

He said the event was not “badly managed at all” and criticised the Met for “just assuming” more than 499 people would be in attendance.

The festival is still set to go ahead this summer despite the setback, he added. He said the organisers were now looking at an indoor venue, likely in another borough.

In order to avoid a similar incident next year, the organisers say they will begin planning and applying for the appropriate licences for 2026’s Uganda Festival in the coming weeks.

The aerodrome fields, previously home to RAF Hornchurch, are mainly used by light aircraft though music festivals have been held there. No upcoming events are currently listed on Damyn’s Hall’s website.

The festival, however, is still listed on ticket seller Eventbrite. Adult tickets were priced at £25, with VIP packages available at £250 and £500.

The organisers will have 21 days to appeal the decision

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