Issues to do in Kampala, Uganda

We’ve had the excitement of visiting Uganda a lot of instances and had some wonderful reviews together with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking. Alternatively, there may be so much extra to do in Uganda past the ones iconic actions!

After we consult with Uganda, we all the time spend a few of our time in its capital metropolis, Kampala. That is through some distance the biggest metropolis in Uganda, and also you’ll to find a variety of issues to do in Kampala, together with cultural attractions, museums, markets, and extra.

We’ve already written about issues to do in Entebbe, which is the city closest to the global airport. This is discovered at the shores of Lake Victoria and could also be price visiting. Alternatively, we predict no consult with to Uganda is entire with out spending a little bit little bit of time in Kampala.

Sure, it’s chaotic, crowded, and the site visitors could make getting round a little of a problem. However it’s the capital metropolis, the rustic’s maximum populous metropolis, and actually the one position in Uganda the place you might be more likely to see metropolis existence.  It’s a spot many Ugandans come for industry, education, coaching, buying groceries, and spiritual gatherings. It additionally has a lot of vacationer points of interest!

Maximum global vacationers to Uganda spend little or no, if any, time within the nation’s capital, and we predict that Kampala merits a forestall for your itinerary if you wish to get a greater working out of the rustic and its other people. So, in case you have the time, we propose no less than an afternoon right here earlier than zipping off to consult with the nationwide parks and to move trekking for chimps and gorillas.

Jess and I’ve been in Kampala 4 instances, maximum instances only a day or two, however on one time out we spent a number of days exploring town. So, we’re fortunate to have visited lots of the puts that may be of passion to global vacationers and need to inspire extra other people to make the effort to forestall and provides town a glance.

On this information, we’re going to proportion a few of our favourite issues to do in Kampala. Whether or not you simply spend an afternoon seeing one of the crucial highlights as a part of an extended excursion in Uganda or are on the town for an extended time period, we are hoping this information conjures up you to look up to you’ll.

We’ll additionally proportion some tips about such things as getting round in addition to staying protected and the place to stick. Let’s get began!

Issues to do in Kampala Uganda

Right here’s our review of our favourite issues to do in Kampala, in accordance with our non-public revel in visiting. You must be capable of do a majority of these actions throughout a couple of days or pick your favorites for a complete day of sightseeing!

 

Kasubi Tombs

Sooner than Uganda was a British Protectorate within the overdue nineteenth century, the area it occupies these days used to be made out of a sequence of smaller kingdoms.

The most important of those kingdoms used to be the Buganda kingdom, house to the Baganda other people. The Baganda are dominated over through Kings, referred to as the Kabaka, in a convention that dates to the early fourteenth century, and which continues to these days.

The Kabaka are patently essential to the Baganda other people, a reality which is especially obvious on the Kasubi Tombs, discovered on Kasubi Hill in Kampala.

That is the general resting position of 4 of the Buganda Kabakas. This is a primary historic, cultural, and non secular web site in Uganda. It’s additionally the one UNESCO international heritage web site in Kampala and stays the most important religious position for the Baganda.

The web site, which takes up 64 acres of land, dates from 1882. The principle appeal is the large conical thatched construction which properties the tombs themselves, which is ceaselessly known as the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga. On account of its dimension the construction is regarded as a grand instance of a construction the use of conventional strategies and herbal fabrics reminiscent of wood poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle.

Additionally on web site are a gatehouse, a drum area, and cemeteries the place the youngsters, other halves, and different kinfolk of the kings are buried. The world additionally has a lot of historically built properties the place the widows of the previous Kings reside and have a tendency the graves.

The Kasubi tombs have been in fact virtually fully destroyed through fireplace in 2010, on the other hand a big renovation venture used to be introduced they usually reopened in 2025. We visited as they have been within the technique of rebuilding and there used to be a lot of craftsman from quite a lot of portions of Uganda operating.

We actually loved our consult with to the Kasubi tombs and will extremely counsel hanging this for your to-do listing in Kampala. That is the most important religious web site so remember to get dressed conservatively. Girls will wish to duvet their legs with an extended skirt or tie a big shawl round their waist to consult with. Jess had on pants however used to be nonetheless requested to tie an extended skirt round her waist to go into.

There’s an access rate to consult with, payable on web site. You are going to be accompanied through an on-site information in your consult with. It can be visited as a part of a guided excursion like this one or this one which incorporates a number of stops in Kampala.

 

Wamala Tombs

If you have an interest in tombs and Baganda tradition, you might also need to upload a consult with to Wamala Tomb in your listing. That is smaller and not more central burial position of the twenty ninth Kabaka of Buganda Ssekabaka Ssuuna ll who dominated from 1832 to 1856. Via maximum accounts, he used to be no longer a really nice guy who had virtually all his brothers carried out!

It is a smaller and not more widely recognized web site in comparison to Kasubi. The tomb is inisde a conventional thatched construction like that during Kasubi. There could also be the stays of the previous palace, tomb of Suuna’s mom, and a choice of royal artifacts.

Notice that the Wamala Tombs are a few 30 minute pressure north of central Kampala. In case you are short of to consult with Wamala Tombs, you may imagine this excursion which additionally comprises visits to Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace, and the central markets.

 

Kabaka’s Palace (Mengo Palace)

The Kabaka’s Palace, or King’s Palace, is the normal house of the Buganda King. The palace, which is often referred to as Lubiri and Mengo Palace, will also be discovered at the most sensible of Mengo Hill, and the positioning provides very good perspectives of the encircling metropolis.

As of late the palace grounds are open to the general public to consult with, even though you’ll’t cross within the real palace place of dwelling (Twekobe Palace). The Twekobe Palace is not used as a place of dwelling however continues to be used for respectable visits and ceremonies The principle place of work for the Kabaka is on the Bulange which is attached through a immediately highway referred to as the Kabaka Anjagala or “Royal Mile”.

So the consult with takes position essentially outside. Visits are guided, you mainly flip up on the access gate. pay the access rate, and a information will likely be allotted to you.

After we visited we had a very good English-speaking information named Fred who confirmed us across the grounds and defined a large number of the historical past of Uganda. In addition to being house to the spectacular palace construction, the grounds also are house to the torture chambers of Idi Amin.

Those underground concrete cells have been the general retaining location of somebody deemed a danger to Amin’s regime, and it’s estimated that over 200,000 other people have been murdered right here, their our bodies dumped in a close-by lake.

This darkish duration of Ugandan historical past is incorporated at the excursion, and is in stark distinction to the gorgeous palace at the hill. Determined messages written in charcoal and blood and damp stained concrete are all that is still of those 1000’s of misplaced lives.

In addition to the above, the excursion comprises different fascinating knowledge on Ugandan historical past. Our information used to be additionally a professional concerning the timber, end result, and vegetation we noticed alongside the stroll.

We learnt about bark fabric, a conventional cloth made out of tree bark which lengthy predates woven textiles. Many Ugandan artists use it as a conventional medium upon which to color. There’s a small store which sells painted barkcloth and different historically made pieces which make for excellent Ugandan souvenirs.

Total, a consult with to the Kabaka’s Palace grounds is a great way to be informed about Ugandan historical past, together with it’s darker instances. The on-site guides we visited with have been actually very good, and this used to be an overly worthy revel in.

There’s in fact a rate to consult with. You’ll be able to consult with your self, as we did, or as a part of a bigger day excursion. The vast majority of excursions of Kampala will come with Kabaka’s Palace, reminiscent of this one or this one.

 

Uganda Museum

Based in 1908, the Uganda Museum is among the easiest puts in Kampala to consult with to be informed concerning the historical past of the rustic. It’s additionally the oldest museum in East Africa.

It options quite a few shows, overlaying the historical past and tradition of the Ugandan other people, with items together with musical tools, guns of conflict, barkcloth art work, conventional clinical provides, garments, and so much extra. There’s also are shows from pre-historical instances, that includes fossils and different relics that time to the historical past of human evolution within the area.

Out of doors, you’ll to find the cultural village, which includes a vary of various conventional structures and pieces that have been used all over other classes in historical past. This used to be our favorite a part of the museum, and it used to be so fascinating to look the other types of area in addition to the pieces utilized by the other tribes throughout Uganda.

The museum isn’t large, and will surely be visited in 2 to three hours. There’s an admission rate. You’ll be able to consult with by yourself or you’ll get a information in the event you want a guided consult with. You’ll be able to see extra about opening instances and what you’ll see on the respectable museum website online.

Notice: the Uganda Museum closed for renovations in August 2024 and is because of reopen in mid-2025. Test the respectable website online for the newest standing.

 

Independence Monument

Uganda received independence from the British on October 9, 1962, and this monument, which used to be unveiled the day earlier than the date of independence, symbolises that second.

The 29 foot top concrete sculpture, which will also be discovered within the King George V Jubilee gardens, depicts a mom lifting her kid into the air with ropes round her legs. The ropes symbolise the liberty from colonialism, whilst the kid’s pleasure showcases the enjoyment of freedom.

The statue could also be depicted on Ugandan foreign money, showing on paper notes between 1,000 and 50,000 UGX. So it could be acquainted to you earlier than you even see it!

It’s unfastened to consult with the Independence Monument in Kampala. It’s also ceaselessly incorporated on excursions reminiscent of this one and this city-centre strolling excursion. We visited it as a part of this guided strolling excursion.

 

Different Ancient Monument and Statues in Kampala

Along with the Independence Monument, there also are a lot of different monuments and statues that you’ll see round Kampala. Those come with:

• International Warfare Memorial Monument – constructed through the British in 1945 to bear in mind the Ugandans misplaced within the first and 2nd international wars. Some of the oldest memorials in Kampala. Discovered on Kampala Street through the central police headquarters.
• King Mutesa II Monument – Monument to the thirty fifth King and primary President of Uganda who died in exile in 1969. The monument presentations him in British army fatigues, which is a nod to his carrier as a Queen’s Grenadier Guard. He used to be additionally the primary Black Commissioned Officer within the Grenadier Guards. This used to be at the start positioned on the intersection of Speke Street and Nile Street, however because of highway works it’s been moved to sit down between the Serena Lodge and Imperial Royale Lodge
• The Cenetary Monument – Commemorating the centenary of the Kampala Town Council, this monument symbolizes the identification of town’s governing authority. Present in Centenary Park alongside Jinja Street
• Stride Monument – Created to honor the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Govt Assembly, this monument includes a circle of relatives shifting ahead in combination, symbolizing the solidarity of the Commonwealth. Discovered between the Parliamentary Gardens and the Kampala Serena Lodge
• Lengthy Cut up Drum Statue – The statue is of a tall drum or engalabi, a conventional lengthy, cylindrical drum coated with pores and skin. It’s positioned on the Nantawete roundabout alongside the Kabaka Anjagala, or highway between the Kabaka’s Palace and the Bulange.
• Flora and fauna Statues – You’ll to find a lot of natural world statues alongside the roads in central Kampala, specifically Previous Kira Street. Statues come with a lion, gorillas, cranes, giraffes, impala and lots of different local natural world species

Notice that there’s ceaselessly safety round public memorials and monuments and round govt structures in Uganda. So you’ll be requested why you might be there and requested to not take footage. As an example, we have been stopped on the conflict memorial through police and we have been most effective allowed to manner and take a photograph as a result of we have been with an area information.

 

Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe

The following couple of entries in our listing of items to do in Kampala are puts of worship for one of the crucial primary religions you’ll to find in Uganda. We’ve visited all of those, and every location is fascinating and price visiting in its personal proper. It simply relies on your pursuits.

The primary within the listing is Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, extra usually known as Namirembe Cathedral. That is the oldest Anglican cathedral in Uganda and the headquarters of the Anglican Church of Uganda.

The church used to be consecrated in 1919, and is the 5th church construction to be discovered on this location, with the primary 4 buildings (courting from 1890) all having been deserted or destroyed for quite a lot of causes.

The existing-day church is an outstanding huge purple construction with a domed roof, made out of earthen bricks and earthen roof tiles.

The church will also be discovered at the most sensible of Namirembe hill, simply to the west of town’s central industry district. As with lots of the hills within the space, the hilltop location provides very good perspectives of the encircling metropolis.

Notice that it’s unfastened to consult with the out of doors of the cathedral however if you want to cross within as a customer there’s a rate which incorporates a guided excursion. The church is in fact a operating church so visits don’t seem to be all the time allowed if worship services and products or different occasions are going down.

 

St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga

St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, additionally usually referred to as Rubaga Cathedral, is located on the most sensible of Lubaga Hill, which is solely east of town heart. This commanding hilltop location provides very good perspectives of the encircling metropolis.

That is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdioceses of Kampala, which is the oldest diocese within the nation. Rubaga has been the seat of the Bishop since 1883, and the cathedral itself used to be consecrated in 1925. It used to be to begin with arrange through the White Fathers, French Roman Catholic missionaries, who got the land through the thirty first Kabaka of Buganda.

The cathedral is a huge brick construction with two spectacular towers at the entrance, and the capability to carry as much as 5,000 worshippers. There are some fascinating stained-glass home windows, work of art, and different artwork items that inform the tale of the Catholic Church in Uganda. We had a information from the church who gave us a brief excursion within.

As of late, maximum Ugandans determine as Christians (over 80%) and Roman Catholicism is the biggest denomination, adopted through Anglicism.

The church is unfastened to consult with even though donations are inspired. The church is in fact a operating church so visits don’t seem to be all the time allowed if worship services and products or different occasions are going down.

 

Baha’i Area of Worship

The Baha’i religion is among the smaller and more recent faiths in Uganda, however it’s major area of worship and placement continues to be nevertheless price a consult with. Discovered on Kikaya Hill at the edges of town, this implementing octagonal construction towers 127 toes above the bottom, crowned through a big inexperienced dome. It may be observed for miles round.

The construction, which dates from 1958, is located on a fifty-acre property which incorporates beautiful, landscaped gardens in addition to a lot of different structures. It has a surprising location.

Truthfully, we knew little or no concerning the Baha’i religion earlier than we visited, so the chance to be informed about that used to be welcomed. All visits are through unfastened guided excursion, and our information used to be very good, appearing us the important thing highlights of the valuables and answering all our questions concerning the historical past of the construction and the Baha’i religion. It’s surely one thing a little bit bit other and well worth the small effort to get right here in our opinion.

We in fact visited two times, the primary time we took a ride-share right here however arrived too overdue because it had already closed. You’ll be able to most effective consult with the grounds all over visiting hours. On our 2nd consult with we deliberate a little higher and arrived all over opening hours.

We signed in and got a excursion through a stupendous information named Esther. She informed us so much concerning the historical past of the religion and of the Kampala temple. No services and products have been going down once we visited so we have been allowed to move within, no speaking or images is permitted within.

Because it’s discovered to the north of town heart this is a excellent location to forestall if you’re heading north out of town, in all probability to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or additional north to Murchison Nationwide Park.

 

Uganda Nationwide Mosque

The Uganda Nationwide Mosque, up to now referred to as the Gaddafi Nationwide Mosque, is the biggest mosque in East Africa. Round 15% of the inhabitants of Uganda is Muslim, and this mosque has room for just about 20,000 worshippers!

Building of the mosque in fact began in 1972 all over the regime of Idi Amin, on the other hand the instability of the regime supposed that building halted in 1976. It wasn’t till 2001 that building restarted, because of the beef up of the Libyan chief Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The mosque in any case opened for worship in 2007 and used to be renamed to the Uganda Nationwide Mosque in 2013 after the dying of Gaddafi.

The mosque has one minaret, and it’s open to guests to climb to the highest. From the highest you’ll get nice perspectives over town. This minaret used to be in fact featured in a Season 31 episode of The Superb Race (2019), the place they needed to climb and rely the entire steps (272 of them!). If you happen to plan on hiking, simply notice that you wish to have with the intention to climb up and down all the ones steps to get to the highest as there’s no elevator. We have been the one ones within the tower all over our consult with.

The mosque will also be visited through non-Muslims as a part of a excursion. Simply notice that all over Fridays and different holy days, you might not be allowed to move within the primary portions of the mosque. However you must nonetheless be capable of consult with the outside and climb the minaret.

There’s an front rate to consult with as a foreigner. We visited as a part of this guided strolling excursion and have been assigned to a mosque information for this a part of the consult with. The internal of the mosque is actually architecturally spectacular, however for us the spotlight used to be going up the tower for the perspectives around the metropolis.

As with all spiritual construction you’ll want to apply the get dressed code. All guests must get dressed modestly. Girls must put on unfastened becoming garments overlaying to the wrist, ankle (ideally an extended skirt), and canopy their heads. Males must put on trousers and shirts with sleeves. Coverings are to be had at reception to borrow (as a part of front rate).

After we visited Jess felt a little suffocated because it used to be sizzling and he or she needed to wrap a big scarf (kanga) round her waist (she had on pants/trousers no longer a skirt), put on a head shawl, and a face masks (COVID-19 laws on the time). We additionally needed to take our footwear off and on a couple of instances and he or she spent a large number of time fumbling with the coverings and footwear. Total she loved it however it’s one thing to bear in mind.

 

Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Basilica

The Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs is a minor Catholic Basilica discovered within the township of Namugongo, round 7 miles northeast of Kampala.

The basilica is a novel design, consisting of an enormous round construction, which used to be designed to duplicate a conventional African hut. It’s additionally one of the visited pilgrimage websites in Africa, because it serves as a shrine to the Uganda Martyrs.

The Uganda Martyrs have been a bunch of twenty-two Catholic and 23 Anglican Christians, who have been killed between 1885 and 1887. Most of the martyrs have been contributors of the King’s Royal Courtroom who had followed Christianity in opposition to the King’s needs, and whom he ordered to be carried out. The vast majority of the martyrs (twenty-two males) have been burned alive at Namugongo in 1886.

The dying of the Uganda martyrs had a big have an effect on at the political and spiritual panorama in Uganda. It ended in standard common beef up among the British public for obtaining Uganda as a protectorate, which came about only some years after the deaths of the martyrs. It additionally ended in a extra standard adoption of Christianity in Uganda, with about 80% of the inhabitants these days being part of the Christian religion.

The 22 Catholic Ugandan martyrs have been beatified in 1920, and canonized as saints in 1964. Since its finishing touch in 1968 the Basilica has served as the focus for the once a year Martyrs Day Birthday celebration. That is held at the third June, which is the Ceremonial dinner of the Uganda Martyrs. On these days loads of 1000’s of other people consult with the shrine.

Pope Francis visited Uganda and the basilica in 2015. He celebrated Mass out of doors the basilica at Namugongo November 28, 2015.

Alternatively, you’ll consult with the shrine at any time of 12 months and discover the grounds and basilica all over visiting hours. There used to be a small rate to consult with for global guests.

There’s the bascilica, a little bit museum space, shrines to the martyrs, a small lake, an amphitheater, a small cafe, and a present store. It’s a relaxed and non violent position and smartly price a consult with.

 

Kampala Markets

Markets are an excellent spot to get to understand the native tradition and to additionally pick out up some souvenirs out of your time out. Uganda has many markets, with two of the biggest being Owino Marketplace and Nakasero Marketplace.

Nakasero Marketplace is the oldest marketplace in Kampala. It’s divided into two spaces, an within and an outdoor. The out of doors space essentially sells contemporary produce, whilst the interior space has extra of a focal point on such things as clothes, textiles and souvenirs.

Owino Marketplace is the biggest central marketplace in Kampala and whilst it sells a little of the whole thing, it’s specifically recognized for distributors promoting secondhand clothes, footwear, and model equipment.

There are naturally dozens of different smaller markets in Kampala, and every space or neighboorhood could have some roughly marketplace.

In case you are particularly searching for souvenirs, then you definitely must additionally imagine a consult with to Publicity Africa. Positioned on Buganda highway, this marketplace has over 30 stalls that includes arts and crafts which can be normally made both in Uganda or Kenya. It has quite a few antiques, native crafts, artwork, and souvenirs.

We propose visiting with a information to get essentially the most of your consult with to the markets. They’re huge, busy, and will also be actually overwhelming for a first-time customer. A neighborhood information too can let you keep in touch with stall homeowners and you should definitely get an even value.

Whilst we felt protected strolling round Kampala, thieves, pickpockets, and scammers will goal vacationers. You additionally need to be very wary of your valuables when within the markets. We propose that you simply go away any dear jewellery, cameras, and different equipment at your resort.

Pictures is ceaselessly discouraged and you’ll be requested to forestall taking footage or filming. At all times ask earlier than taking a photograph of an individual or their items. Our information requested permission of probably the most marketplace homeowners to permit us to take some footage from positive spaces at Nakasero Marketplace or even then we have been watched and requested most effective to take footage from a undeniable position.

 

Previous Taxi Park

The Previous Taxi Park is the oldest and largest transit terminal in Kampala. Right here you’ll see loads of minibuses coming and getting in arranged chaos.

That is certainly not a must-see position however it’s incorporated in a large number of strolling excursions as a forestall, and this is a excellent position to forestall to be informed about transportation in Kampala.

 

Ndere Cultural Middle

One in every of our favourite actions in Kampala used to be our consult with to the Ndere Cultural Middle. The cultural heart showcases the cultural heritage of Uganda, with dance performances, artwork shows, and meals.

The Ndere troupe used to be based in 1984 through Rwangezi Stephen in 1984 as a cultural group “for common solidarity via tune, dance and drama”. They’ve now additionally unfold that message round Uganda with touring teams.

The principle revel in for guests in Kampala, which is what we’d counsel and did, is to consult with for probably the most night time performances. Those range however in most cases come with a mixture of dance, theater, and tune and ceaselessly additionally find a way to have a buffet dinner all over the display.

Those performances happen a couple of instances per week, and in most cases run from 7pm – 10pm. Displays are held out of doors beneath a big mango tree, and in addition to the display there’s the choice to buy foods and drinks.

We visited for the Wednesday night time Sherehe display. This used to be a actually amusing night time with nice performers and a stupendous surroundings. The display tells the tales from the other Ugandan tribes with conventional dance. There’s additionally a very good and entertaining major host who explains what you might be seeing so all of it has context, and brings all of it in combination.

Dinner used to be a buffet with conventional Ugandan meals which used to be additionally excellent. We will be able to extremely really useful reserving a price ticket for a efficiency right here if one is going on all over your consult with to Kampala. Its an ideal night time out and supporting a excellent native group.

It’s simple sufficient to consult with the Ndere Cultural Middle your self, or you’ll ebook a excursion which incorporates a lot of attractions in addition to the display and dinner like this one.

 

Nommo Artwork Gallery

If you happen to’re fascinated about seeing and even purchasing up some native artwork all over your time in Kampala, then a consult with to Nommo Gallery is price your time. This is a small gallery however it’s one among few in Uganda.

The Nommo Gallery used to be established through the Uganda Nationwide Cultural Middle in 1964, and will also be discovered within the center of town on the subject of State Hotel. It serves as Uganda’s Nationwide Artwork Gallery.

After we visited the primary artwork exhibited used to be a black-and-white images exhibition about incapacity. There used to be additionally a lot of different artwork on the market, most commonly art work, but additionally statues, picket carvings, paper artwork, and so on. made through native artists.

Notice that obtaining to the gallery will also be difficult. We had a taxi, however he needed to drop us off a few 10-minute stroll from the gallery on account of highway closures and safety checkpoints. The gallery is positioned close to the State Area which ceaselessly results in larger safety within the space. So we needed to cross on foot via a few other safety checkpoints (a photograph ID used to be required) to achieve the artwork gallery (after which go back).

Lately, there was communicate of relocating the gallery to someplace this is more uncomplicated for guests to achieve however no resolution has but been reached. Within the period in-between, if you wish to consult with remember to be ready and take alongside an respectable photograph ID with you and put on relaxed footwear.

 

Take a Meals Excursion

We like exploring the native meals once we consult with a rustic, and probably the most easiest techniques we’ve discovered to try this is to take a meals excursion. On one among our visits to Kampala we took this three-hour meals excursion.

This used to be a very good approach to take a look at quite a lot of Ugandan meals, and incorporated Rolex, deep-fried grasshoppers, fritters, fried fish, contemporary fruit, sugar cane juice, and samosas from quite a few side road distributors. It then completed with a complete buffet at a cafe focusing on Ugandan meals. Some of the not unusual meals eaten in Uganda is matooke (a boiled and mashed inexperienced bananas) so I’d make sure to take a look at that.

The true spotlight of the excursion despite the fact that, past the very good meals, used to be our excursion information Andrew. The excursions are led through extremely passionate and enthusiastic Ugandans who like to proportion their hobby for Ugandan meals and their wisdom of Kampala. We have been fortunate sufficient to be the one other people at the excursion, so we were given to talk with our excursion information about all types of subjects, from the political historical past of the rustic, to his favourite meals, sports activities, and what it’s love to reside in Kampala.

If you need an immersive native revel in and to take a look at a large number of native produce and dishes, this meals excursion is a wonderful solution to do exactly that. This gives you an ideal advent to Ugandan meals.

 

 

Discuss with AFFCAD

Like many nations all over the world, poverty is an actual factor in Uganda, particularly affecting youngsters. They ceaselessly have restricted get entry to to the whole thing from blank water to training to healthcare, which doesn’t lead to sure existence results.

One group this is operating to empower the ones in poverty is AFFCAD, which stands for Motion for Elementary Exchange
and Construction. This nonprofit used to be arrange through 4 younger males from Bwaise in Kampala, probably the most poorest neighborhoods within the metropolis.

This township suffers from a loss of city making plans, fast inhabitants enlargement, and a location on a former wetland, which all conspire to create residing prerequisites plagued through floods and unsanitary prerequisites.

We propose observing the movie Queen of Katwe earlier than your consult with to Uganda to get an concept of existence within the slums in Uganda, in addition to be informed concerning the wonderful real-life tale of Phiona Mutesi, who grew up in Katwe, and her mentor Robert Katende.

AFFCAD are operating to make stronger alternatives to be had to the folk in Kampala’s poorest spaces, together with the Bwaise group, via a spread of tutorial, healthcare, and financial methods. That is accomplished via vocational coaching, colleges, and get entry to to healthcare.

AFFCAD additionally provides a slum consciousness excursion to guests to Kampala, the place you’ll be informed concerning the demanding situations dealing with neighborhoods like Bwaise, and perceive what AFFCAD are doing to assist. We now have written up to now about moral slum tourism so we surely counsel studying that earlier than reserving any slum excursions. In keeping with our revel in, we really feel that visiting Bwaise with AFFCAD surely leads to general sure results.

We took our strolling excursion with Jaffar, probably the most 4 founders of AFFCAD. We visited the quite a lot of AFFCAD structures the place they provide vocational coaching. It used to be no longer a “college” day, so it used to be a reasonably quiet day, however we noticed the quite a lot of gear used for instructing abilities together with computer systems and stitching machines. The excursion then took us on foot across the Bwaise group to get extra of an working out of the demanding situations confronted through the citizens.

In spite of everything, we have been served a conventional meal of kikkomondo, which is mainly beans and chapati, and is scrumptious. A pleasing solution to finish the excursion.

Our excursion lasted about 2.5 hours and incorporated shipping from our resort in Kampala. We did it in 2023 and the associated fee used to be $35 in line with particular person. We paid in money firstly of the excursion of their place of job.

The proceeds from the excursion cross at once to serving to AFFCAD make stronger the lives of a few of Uganda’s poorest, and will make an actual distinction. It’s additionally an excellent solution to get insights from an area about existence on this a part of Kampala.

You’ll be able to to find out extra about visiting AFFCAD at their website online right here. Those excursions do wish to be booked upfront. One of the best ways to prepare a excursion is to email them at once, which you’ll do at data@affcad.org.

 

Guide a Strolling Excursion of Central Kampala

We will be able to extremely counsel reserving a guided strolling excursion for a minimum of a few of your time in Kampala, particularly if you wish to navigate the native markets and monuments, or if you need anyone else to care for transportation.

Kampala generally is a bit chaotic, particularly for a primary time customer, and letting anyone else care for logistics and direction making plans will assist you to center of attention at the attractions. It will probably additionally let you navigate one of the crucial language boundaries and safety problems you can come throughout.

We took this very good strolling excursion of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG excursion corporate. It’s the most sensible corporate we will for my part counsel for strolling excursions as we’ve taken a number of strolling and meals excursions from them all over our visits to Uganda.

This corporate used to be setup through a bunch of younger native Ugandans prepared to exhibit the most efficient in their nation, and we additionally took excursions with them in Entebbe and Jinja. In addition they ran the meals strolling excursion we did in Kampala. You’ll be able to see extra in their excursions right here.

The excursion we did with Arthur coated one of the crucial major highlights of central Kampala, and incorporated sampling of a Rolex, visits to Nakasero Marketplace, Owino Marketplace, a Hindu temple, Parliament Sq., and the Previous Taxi Park, an area espresso on the 1000 Cups Cafe, and time at one of the crucial monuments in Kampala together with the Independence Monument. We additionally took the solution to consult with the Uganda Nationwide Mosque.

Total, we will extremely counsel reserving a strolling excursion of Kampala as a part of your consult with to town. Preferably we propose doing one thing like this at first of your time in Uganda because it is helping come up with a excellent advent and a possibility to invite a large number of questions.

 

Day Journeys and 2-Day Journeys from Kampala

Clearly, there may be so much to do in Kampala itself, however if you’re within the metropolis for a couple of days (in all probability as a part of a convention or one thing), you could be questioning what choices there are for exploring additional afield.

The excellent news is that there are many excellent day time out choices from Kampala, in addition to choices for 2-day journeys. A majority of these will also be executed as a part of an afternoon excursion. Listed here are some to imagine:

• An afternoon time out to Jinja and the supply of the Nile. Jinja is a reasonably laid-back metropolis at the shores of Lake Victoria, round a 2-hour pressure to the east of Kampala. It’s famous as being thought to be probably the most resources of the River Nile, as that is the place Lake Victoria begins to feed into this mighty river. A excursion from Kampala is a great way to look the attractions of town in an afternoon.
• Entebbe day time out – Maximum guests to Uganda will move via Entebbe as that is the place the global airport is positioned. It’s most effective about part an hours pressure from Kampala and will also be simply reached with a ride-share or commute bus carrier. There’s so much to do right here on a day-trip, together with visiting the zoo and the botanical gardens. See our information to Issues to do in Entebbe for some concepts.
• Discuss with the Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island. Chimpanzee trekking is a well-liked process in Uganda, however the majority of the chimpanzees are too some distance clear of the capital metropolis to make an afternoon time out possible. Alternatively, there’s a inhabitants of chimps on Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria. This excursion comprises round-trip shipping from Kampala with a boat-cruise, in addition to a guided chimpanzee trek, snacks, and lunch. Notice this is could also be the most efficient position to look chimps in Uganda in case you have youngsters as all different websites have minimal age restrictions.
• See the shoebill storks at Mabamba Swamp. One in every of our favourite reviews in Uganda used to be our boat birding safari on Mabamba Swamp to look the superior taking a look shoebill stork. Those birds have an improbable shovel formed beak, and are most effective present in a couple of places in Uganda. The boat excursion additionally comprises the chance to look many different birds, however the shoebill stork is the spotlight.
• An afternoon time out to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is lately the one position to look rhino in Uganda. Comprises round-trip transfers and admission to the park. We’ve visited Ziwa two times and feature all the time gotten to look rhino, a extra exceptional revel in since you in fact trek and to find the rhino on foot. You are going to additionally most probably see a large number of birds and different natural world as smartly right here. Extremely really useful.
• If you happen to actually need to cross on safari in Uganda however don’t have a large number of time to spare, then imagine this 2-day in a single day time out to Murchison Falls. It’s round a 4 hour pressure every approach, however you are going to nonetheless have time to look the spectacular Murchison Falls, take a ship trip, and do a morning recreation pressure. There’s additionally the solution to come with a forestall at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• There also are many multi-day safari centered excursions from Uganda, together with excursions which function chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You’ll be able to see one of the crucial easiest choices on GetYourGuide right here and Viator right here.

There are naturally many extra choices for journeys from Kampala, particularly in case you have extra time. You’ll be able to see a vary of choices right here. The one factor we’d all the time counsel is to test using distances. Uganda is rather huge, and also you don’t need to spend your entire time simply sitting in a car getting from  Level A to B.

 

Practicalities for Visiting Kampala

The best way to Get to Kampala

As the primary metropolis in Uganda, Kampala is definitely attached to the remainder of the rustic through highway. The principle airport in Uganda is in within reach Entebbe, with an specific freeway between the 2, which most effective takes round half-hour to go back and forth through automobile. Notice this can be a motorway, however the associated fee is definitely price paying because the previous Entebbe-Kampala highway can take over 2 hours to traverse because of site visitors.

In case you are arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your resort may be able to organize an airport switch for you. You’ll be able to additionally ebook this your self the use of a carrier like this.

There could also be a shared commute bus carrier from Entebbe to Kampala and Jinja referred to as the Pineapple Categorical. This provides an reasonably priced scheduled carrier from a lot of Entebbe places together with the airport, and you’ll ebook this on-line right here.

 

The best way to Get Round Kampala

There are a variety of various techniques of having round Kampala. Town and its points of interest are rather unfold out, so while you’ll stroll to look some points of interest, it’s most probably you are going to want some type of shipping all over your consult with.

There are a variety of choices, together with bike taxis (boda boda), minivan taxis (matatu), trip sharing apps like Protected Boda and Uber, in addition to personal drivers and excursion corporations. It’s good to additionally hire a automobile and pressure your self, even though given the site visitors and one of the crucial highway conditons we’d most definitely advise in opposition to that.

As a global traveler, your two major choices for speedy go back and forth are to both use a automobile (both a non-public taxi or by means of trip sharing app) or to get a boda boda. The boda boda is surely the quickest and least expensive choice of the 2 and if you wish to have to get someplace fast, those are ceaselessly your best option. They are able to be hailed from virtually any side road. However we caught to vehicles as a result of there used to be the 2 folks and we felt extra protected in vehicles.

For almost all of our Kampala sightseeing we used a ride-sharing app (Uber) to get across the metropolis. This made issues simple as shall we pay by means of the app. Alternatively, we did have problems with drivers no longer actually understanding the best way to use the app as it should be or nonetheless asking us to pay in money (we’d refuse and nonetheless pay by means of app). So simply know many drivers are new to Uber so there can nonetheless be problems.

Every other common choice is SafeBoda, which lets you specify if you need a automobile or a boda boda (bike). If you happen to do need to take bike taxis, we do counsel reserving via them as you’ll pay by means of the app they usually come with a helmet and protection vest.

For one of the crucial attractions we visited they have been shut sufficient to our resort that we visited them on foot. So strolling is an choice, simply remember to put on relaxed footwear you don’t thoughts getting grimy (our footwear were given a pleasing layer of reddish brown mud from our walks).

On one among our later visits to Kampala we walked out so much, sufficient in order that the native safety other people within the space would say hi to us and ultimately stopped asking if we needed them to name us a taxi. Whilst we felt protected wandering round on foot, it would possibly not really feel relaxed or be a excellent choice for some other people as you are going to most probably draw consideration. We most effective walked all over sunlight hours, and would no longer counsel strolling by yourself after darkish.

In fact, if you’re doing a excursion that comes with transportation in Kampala (or a part of a far larger Uganda excursion), then that also is a well-liked approach for guests to get round. On our first consult with to Kampala, our motive force simply dropped us off and picked us up at designated puts, making it really easy.

In case you are visiting by yourself (with out a excursion information), simply realize it isn’t that onerous to get round Kampala by yourself. When you have any questions or want assist getting a taxi or boda boda, your resort can simply let you organize this.

 

The place to Keep in Kampala

There’s quite a lot of accommodations to stick at in Kampala, throughout quite a lot of value issues. Listed here are some choices to imagine, together with the accommodations we’ve stayed at all over our time within the metropolis.

• Bushpig Backpackers – in the event you’re searching for a hostel in Kampala (or only a price range pleasant accommodation choice), then this is a wonderful selection. Each personal rooms and shared dormitory rooms are to be had, and it’s only a brief stroll from the Uganda Museum. There’s additionally an on-site bar and eating place the place the incorporated breakfast is served.
• ONOMO Lodge Kampala – we’ve stayed right here two times and had a relaxed keep every time. This is among the more recent and extra trendy accommodations in Kampala. There’s unfastened WiFi, relaxed air-conditioned rooms, a pool, an on-site eating place, and very good buffet breakfast.
• Humura Inns – we stayed on this beautiful enjoyable boutique resort on our first consult with to Kampala. Rooms are very relaxed and be offering air-conditioning, and there’s an on-site eating place and pool. It’s an overly non violent position that provides an oasis of calm clear of the bustle of town.
• Kampala Serena – we’ve stayed in a lot of Serena homes and all the time had a excellent keep, so we’re glad to counsel this 4* resort. That includes a big swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms, and on-site eating places, this resort would make an ideal base for exploring town
• Sheraton Kampala – This 5-star Sheraton resort is any other luxurious choice discovered within the metropolis heart proper subsequent to the Independence Monument. It has a pool, a lot of eating places, relaxed air-conditioned rooms, a gymnasium, a sauna, and a attractiveness salon.

In fact there are lots of extra choices throughout Kampala, you’ll see a whole vary of homes at various value issues on reserving.com right here.

 

Protection in Kampala

Numerous other people ask is Kampala protected? That is not possible to actually utterly solution however it’s more secure than many different African towns however it does have its proportion of violent crimes, petty crimes, dangers of terrorism, and well being threats.

That stated, we’ve for my part felt lovely protected in Kampala as international guests on our 4 visits to town. However you do wish to take customary precautions for touring in a big metropolis.

The principle dangers maximum vacationers will face in Kampala will likely be pickpockets and thieves. Needless to say a $1,000 digital camera or smartphone is also customary to you however might imply an entire lot to anyone residing on a couple of bucks an afternoon. So, you’ll want to be vigilant together with your valuables and raise a minimum amount of cash on you.

The danger shall be upper in busier spaces like crowded markets, or on a public bus. Preserving any valuables like dear jewellery, watches, smartphones, or cameras out of sight is a sensible concept. If you happen to don’t want them, I’d stay them within the resort. You’ll most definitely realize in one of the crucial footage that at the same time as a photographer I left my large digital camera at house maximum days and simply carried a little bit compact digital camera with a thick neck strap.

A cash belt, reminiscent of this Eagle Creek one (which is the only we personal), is a great way to retailer cash, bank cards, resort key, passports, and so on. You’ll want to make certain the rest that may be snatched is secured, so for instance a cross-body handbag or digital camera strap that is going round your neck goes to be higher than having one thing slung over a shoulder that may be extra simply taken. If you select to put on a backpack, be certain that the closures/zippers will also be secured.

Having a information or becoming a member of a excursion will assist scale back your possibility; on the other hand, notice you continue to wish to be vigilant even with a information as they may be able to’t all the time be observing you and your valuables.

If you select to hire a automobile (no longer really useful for most of the people), keep away from leaving valuables to your automobile and park it in a protected spot at evening.

As with anyplace on the planet, the danger will increase at evening, and it’s normally easiest to keep away from strolling on my own at evening in maximum spaces. Taking a ride-share as a part of a bunch, or simply touring with a non-public information, is most probably going to be more secure.

A distinct attention for go back and forth to Uganda must be made for LGBTQ+ vacationers after the passing of the Might 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act. In step with the U.S. Division of State, LGBT individuals (or individuals perceived as such and the ones selling LGBT problems) are at larger possibility for fines, violence, harassment, imprisonment, and will even face the dying penalty.

 

Language in Kampala

The respectable languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; on the other hand, there are a large number of native languages spoken in Uganda.

Essentially the most extensively spoken language within the space is Luganda. Luganda is the language of the Baganda other people (Kampala is a part of the Buganda area, the biggest of the normal kingdoms in Uganda).

Even though Swahili has been made an respectable language, we hardly ever heard locals talking it except talking to guests from different East African countries. Some informed us they like to not discuss the language because it reminds them of the time of Amin and army violence. Alternatively, it’s the language they proportion with lots of the remainder of East Africa.

As a vacationer in Entebbe and Kampala, you’ll get through lovely smartly with English as most of the people within the tourism business right here discuss no less than some English. At points of interest and museums, the ideas is ceaselessly written in English.

If you happen to don’t discuss English, Swahili, or an area language reminiscent of Luganda, you must imagine hiring a information or translator to get essentially the most of your time in Kampala. Or no less than deliver a excellent written guidebook with you.

 

Foreign money in Kampala

The principle foreign money in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling, or UGX. That is approved in all places.

The United States greenback could also be normally approved, however you must bear in mind that they wish to be contemporary expenses in excellent form. Any roughly marking or injury to the invoice approach it’s not going to be approved because of a terror of the financial institution no longer accepting it. We had this occur a lot of instances in Uganda (and different African countries). So it’s normally more uncomplicated to only to find an ATM and withdraw UGX.

Bank cards also are approved at maximum accommodations and bigger eating places, however this isn’t common, so it’s easiest to all the time raise some foreign money with you.

 

Well being in Kampala

As with many nations all over the world, you’ll want to take some precautions to make sure you keep wholesome as a customer to Uganda.

Sooner than you consult with you’ll want to make sure you are up-to-the-minute on any vaccinations you wish to have. You must additionally speak about any present suggestions for go back and forth to Uganda, which is able to most probably come with anti-malarial medicine.

You’ll be able to get malaria in Kampala even though the danger is not up to in maximum different portions of Uganda. Notice that along with malaria, mosquitoes can raise and transmit a lot of different illnesses so prevention is essential (insect repellent, dressed in lengthy sleeves and pants, and so on.)

We additionally extremely counsel studying the well being recommendation given through your native govt for vacationers to Uganda. You’ll be able to see the U.S. CDC go back and forth well being knowledge and proposals to vacationers right here, and from the United Kingdom govt right here.

Studying the well being warnings issued through governments generally is a bit horrifying as there were outbreaks of a few lovely critical such things as ebola, mpox (monkeypox), cholera, and yellow fever in Uganda. However simply know that those are normally small outbreaks and also you don’t seem to be more likely to come into touch with them as a vacationer. However you must nonetheless be a professional and take important precautions.

The principle well being factor maximum travellers are more likely to face goes to be an disenchanted abdomen. This will also be brought about through quite a few issues, however is maximum ceaselessly brought about through consuming or consuming one thing with infected water.

On the subject of water, you’ll want to stick with filtered, handled, or bottled water. You’ll additionally need to keep away from contemporary salads, raw greens and end result (except you’ll peel it), unpasteurized milk, cooked meals that don’t seem to be served sizzling, and so on. except they’re from a credible and authorized meals dealer (reminiscent of your resort eating place).

If you happen to’d like to keep away from purchasing bottled water in Kampala, you’ll learn this newsletter on protected consuming water when touring for ways in which you’ll deal with water when touring. We used a Grayl water filter out bottle for filtering faucet water for consuming, cooking (e.g, washing end result), and combing our tooth whilst in Kampala on our ultimate time out. This made it in order that we didn’t wish to purchase any bottled water.

For meals, it’s easiest to take a look at and devour at respected institutions the place imaginable. If you wish to be extra adventurous, a good suggestion is to take a meals excursion like this one that we did, the place the excursion information will steer you against protected dishes and take you to puts that experience excellent hygiene requirements.

As individuals who were ill in Uganda (perhaps from consuming contemporary greens on a sandwich), we extremely recommending being wary and following the really useful tips. We were in Uganda for a couple of weeks at that time and let our guard down for an afternoon which used to be a mistake that left us ill for a number of days.

 

Excursions of Kampala

There are a variety of excursions of Kampala that you’ll take, which is able to provide you with a protected, guided revel in in Uganda’s capital metropolis. We’ve taken a lot of strolling excursions in Kampala they usually have been all very good, with pleasant, a professional guides who helped us actually perceive what we have been seeing. Listed here are some excursions we propose.

• This meals excursion, which incorporates quite a lot of tasty meals, from side road meals classics via to a sit-down buffet meal. We’ve taken this excursion.
• This strolling excursion, which incorporates most of the highlights of Kampala that we point out on this information. We’ve taken this excursion as smartly.
• That is any other excursion of Kampala, which additionally visits a lot of highlights within the metropolis. We haven’t for my part taken this one however it’s extremely reviewed.

 

Getting On-line in Uganda

You’ve got a couple of choices for purchasing on-line while you consult with Uganda. First, many puts together with nearly all of accommodations have unfastened WiFi, so it is possible for you to to glue a smartphone, pill, or computer to WiFi. There could also be ceaselessly unfastened WiFi at espresso retail outlets and eating places, particularly the ones catering to vacationers.

Alternatively, you might be most probably additionally going to need to be on-line even if no longer in vary of a unfastened WiFi hotspot. Maximum guides for instance use WhatsApp for communique, which matches over the web. If you wish to use a ride-sharing carrier like Uber you’ll additionally want with the intention to get on-line.

In order that approach you’ll desire a SIM card with knowledge connectivty. We now have used Airtel, and we purchased a SIM card from the Airtel kiosk on the arrivals corridor within the airport. There are a couple of other carriers, however Airtel labored smartly for us and used to be a excellent value. It additionally had the merit that as we have been visiting a couple of other East African international locations we have been ready to buy a roaming knowledge package deal which coated us in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania as smartly.

An alternative choice can be to make use of an eSIM carrier in case your telephone helps it. We’ve used Airalo in Uganda. We ceaselessly use Airalo once we go back and forth (see our complete Airalo evaluate right here). It’s in most cases relatively dearer than purchasing an area SIM, however will assist you to get on-line once you land and skip having to discover a SIM card and cross during the native technique of registering it.

If you need extra recommendation on web get entry to when touring, see our information to getting on-line when touring for some guidelines and recommendation.

 

Energy Shops / Commute Adapters for Uganda

Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Sort G plug), as you are going to to find in the United Kingdom and a lot of different international locations in East Africa. In case you are coming from the United Kingdom or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your apparatus will likely be high quality and also you shouldn’t desire a go back and forth adapter.

In case you are visiting from a special nation, reminiscent of from america, Canada, or maximum of Europe, then you are going to desire a go back and forth adaptor like this.

Moreover, Uganda makes use of a 220v-240v gadget. That is very similar to a lot of the arena aside from portions of the Americas, together with Canada and america, the place 110v is the norm. In case you are travelling from this sort of international locations, it is important to take a look at in case your apparatus helps the upper voltage. It must be written at the plug.

Normally, decrease powered units like cameras, laptops, and speak to chargers beef up 110v – 240v, while upper energy units like hairdryers don’t. See our information to go back and forth adapters for extra in this matter.

 

Additional Studying

That sums up our information to objects to do in Kampala. We are hoping you discovered it helpful! Sooner than you head off, we needed to proportion some hyperlinks to different content material we predict you may to find helpful in making plans your time out to Uganda and the broader area.

• We now have an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that will help you plan extra of your time out.
• We now have an in depth information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda. Those are each common actions for guests to Uganda and smartly price doing in our opinion
• We now have a information to selecting the easiest safari digital camera, and a information to getting higher footage on safari, so you’ll make sure you get nice recollections of your time out.
• We even have a detailed safari packing listing to assist you make a decision what to deliver with you
• In case you are making plans on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our instructed 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a variety of concepts for town
• We now have a information to getting on-line when travelling, that will help you keep attached in Uganda
• You’re going to wish to energy your entire units while you go back and forth – see our information to the easiest go back and forth adapters so you’ll make a choice the best one for Uganda
• If you happen to’d like a go back and forth information, imagine the Uganda Bradt Commute Information, which is normally thought to be the most suitable option for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and will extremely counsel this ebook because it has the whole thing from the historical past of the rustic and it’s other people, via to packing guidelines, making plans recommendation and extra. It additionally comprises detailed knowledge on chimp and gorilla trekking.
• Guide sensible, we additionally pack and go back and forth with each the Pocket Information: Birds of East Africa and the Pocket Information to the Mammals of East Africa. Those are each very comfortably sized and can assist you to determine a large number of what you notice on a consult with to any east African nation.

And that’s it! As all the time, we are hoping you discovered this information helpful. When you have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback phase underneath and we’ll get again to you once we will.