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The Baby and Kids Expo returns this May under the bold theme Care Before Crisis, a concept aimed at aligning childcare product and service providers into a comprehensive, 360-degree ecosystem of care.
Now in its fourth edition, the Baby & Kids Expo East Africa 2026, organised by Kiara Events Ltd, remains Uganda’s premier family-focused exhibition dedicated to maternal health, early childhood development and overall family wellbeing.
Since its launch in 2016, the expo has grown into a trusted platform that brings together expectant mothers, parents, caregivers, health professionals and family-oriented brands. The 2026 edition is scheduled to take place on May 16–17 at UMA Show Grounds, with a strong emphasis on prevention, safety, preparedness and holistic family support.
According to the vision bearer, Joweria Nabuuma, this year’s theme is a deliberate call to action, urging stakeholders to act earlier, care deeper and rethink how children are raised and supported, shifting from panic to preparation in parenting.
“It is a deliberate emotional trigger because when care is delayed, crisis is loud, painful, and often irreversible. This theme reframes parenting, caregiving, and child development around one powerful truth: prevention is not passive. It is an active, everyday choice,” she said.
Although the expo spans two days, organisers say its impact is intended to extend far beyond the event itself, positioning care as a continuous journey from preconception through childhood, and from the physical wellbeing of the child to the emotional and mental health of caregivers.
“Care begins before conception, continues through antenatal support, extends into birth planning and delivery, evolves into nutrition, immunisation, early learning, and mental health, and matures as the child grows into a supported, resilient human being. At the same time, care holds space for the mother before, during, and after birth, acknowledging that a supported mother raises a stronger child,” Nabuuma added.
The expo expands the conversation from last year’s focus on a “healthy baby, healthy mother” to a broader ecosystem where every stage of development is interconnected.
This includes preconception health, family planning, maternal nutrition and mental preparedness, safe delivery and postnatal care, as well as early childhood growth through immunisation, nutrition, stimulation and learning.
It also highlights the role of the wider caregiver ecosystem, including fathers, extended family members and communities in shaping a child’s development. Organisers emphasise that the initiative is not limited to the health sector, but brings together multiple industries whose roles intersect in child wellbeing, including education, finance, nutrition, transport, technology, media, housing and retail.
Nabuuma noted that crises affecting children often arise from delayed, inadequate or inaccessible care, manifesting in preventable medical conditions, malnutrition, poor mental health and lack of parental support.
By centring the conversation on prevention, the expo aims to mobilise stakeholders across sectors to play an active role in reducing these risks. Healthcare providers are positioned as the first line of defence through antenatal care, immunisation and early intervention, while financial institutions play a role in preventing economic strain that can delay critical care decisions.
Similarly, sectors such as nutrition, transport and housing contribute to creating environments that support healthy growth and reduce exposure to risk. Rhoda Musiima, founder of Phos Creatives and one of the expo’s partners, described the initiative as more than a consumer event, but rather a growing platform responding to the realities of modern parenting, where access to information is abundant but practical guidance and support often remain fragmented.
“One thing that we can all agree upon is the power of Ubuntu, and that comes down to how we parent as well. We agree that parenting is not something that can be done in isolation, and it is something that thrives on prevention before cure,” she said.
BEYOND THE EXPO
Organisers stress that the Baby and Kids Expo is more than a marketplace; it is a platform for prevention, bringing together all actors who influence how children grow and how families function.
“If your industry influences how a mother feels, how a child grows, or how a family lives, then you are part of the caregiver ecosystem,” Nabuuma said.
She added that crises among children often emerge when care is delayed, ignored or inaccessible, manifesting through preventable medical complications, untreated postnatal depression, malnutrition, lack of parental education, unsafe products and unsupported caregivers.
“Education shapes how children think, feel, and interact with the world. It also equips parents and caregivers with knowledge, confidence, and skills. Early learning prevents cognitive and social delays, while parenting education prevents harmful practices and misinformation,” she noted.
She added that healthcare providers play a critical role before and after birth, preventing avoidable illness, maternal complications, developmental delays and untreated mental health challenges.
On finance, she explained that economic stress remains one of the biggest hidden contributors to family crisis, noting that savings, insurance, medical cover and financial literacy help protect families from long-term instability.
Nutrition, particularly in pregnancy and early childhood, directly influences physical growth, brain development and immunity, while safe transport systems ensure access to healthcare, education and emergency services.
MORE THAN AN EXHIBITION
Balancing learning with family engagement, the expo offers access to expert knowledge alongside opportunities for hands-on interaction with products and services.
On the entertainment side, activities will include baby races, children’s fashion shows, mascots, bumper cars and dedicated play areas, positioning children not as spectators but central participants.
Interactive segments such as spelling competitions organised by Enjuba, robotics showcases and STEM activities by Fundi Bots are expected to attract both children and parents interested in early learning and innovation.
Organisers have also prioritised family wellbeing, with dedicated sessions addressing mental health among children and parents, as well as early childcare practices. Families will also engage in slower, creative activities such as painting, pottery, crocheting and live sewing demonstrations by The Sewing Club Uganda, alongside hourly prize giveaways and interactive games. For retail and family-focused brands, the expo offers a platform to make support tangible.
“Parents need more than information; they need to see, touch, and try the things that will genuinely make a difference in their children’s everyday lives,” said a representative from Kids Nook Store.
“This expo creates that connection.” Media personality Manuela Mulondo, host of NTV’s Bump Love, said the event speaks to the emotional realities of parenting today.
“I’ve had so many conversations with parents who feel like they’re always one step behind. And I understand that feeling – I’ve lived it,” she said.
“What this expo does is meet you in that honest place and remind you that you don’t have to figure this out alone. The best parents aren’t the ones who never worry; they are the ones who show up early.”
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Related
, https://observer.ug/business/baby-kids-expo-to-advocate-for-preventive-care-in-uganda/
