We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Uganda quite a few occasions and had some wonderful experiences together with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking. Nevertheless, there may be heaps extra to do in Uganda past these iconic actions!
Once we go to Uganda, we at all times spend a few of our time in its capital metropolis, Kampala. That is by far the biggest metropolis in Uganda, and also you’ll discover a number of issues to do in Kampala, together with cultural sights, museums, markets, and extra.
We’ve already written about issues to do in Entebbe, which is the city closest to the worldwide airport. That’s discovered on the shores of Lake Victoria and can also be value visiting. Nevertheless, we expect no go to to Uganda is full with out spending just a little little bit of time in Kampala.
Sure, it’s chaotic, crowded, and the visitors could make getting round a little bit of a problem. However it’s the capital metropolis, the nation’s most populous metropolis, and actually the one place in Uganda the place you might be prone to see metropolis life. It’s a spot many Ugandans come for enterprise, education, coaching, buying, and spiritual gatherings. It additionally has quite a few vacationer points of interest!
Most worldwide vacationers to Uganda spend little or no, if any, time within the nation’s capital, and we expect that Kampala deserves a cease in your itinerary if you wish to get a greater understanding of the nation and its folks. So, when you have the time, we suggest a minimum of a day right here earlier than zipping off to go to the nationwide parks and to go trekking for chimps and gorillas.
Jess and I’ve been in Kampala 4 occasions, most occasions only a day or two, however on one journey we spent a number of days exploring town. So, we’re fortunate to have visited a lot of the locations that will be of curiosity to worldwide vacationers and need to encourage extra folks to take the time to cease and provides town a glance.
On this information, we’re going to share a few of our favourite issues to do in Kampala. Whether or not you simply spend a day seeing a number of the highlights as a part of an extended tour in Uganda or are on the town for an extended time frame, we hope this information conjures up you to see as a lot as you possibly can.
We’ll additionally share some recommendations on issues like getting round in addition to staying protected and the place to remain. Let’s get began!
Issues to do in Kampala Uganda
Right here’s our overview of our favourite issues to do in Kampala, primarily based on our private expertise visiting. It is best to have the ability to do all these actions throughout a number of days or select your favorites for a full day of sightseeing!
Kasubi Tombs
Earlier than Uganda turned a British Protectorate within the late nineteenth century, the area it occupies right now was comprised of a collection of smaller kingdoms.
The most important of those kingdoms was the Buganda kingdom, residence to the Baganda folks. The Baganda are dominated over by Kings, generally known as the Kabaka, in a convention that dates to the early fourteenth century, and which continues to at the present time.
The Kabaka are clearly essential to the Baganda folks, a truth which is especially obvious on the Kasubi Tombs, discovered on Kasubi Hill in Kampala.
That is the ultimate resting place of 4 of the Buganda Kabakas. It’s a main historic, cultural, and religious web site in Uganda. It’s additionally the one UNESCO world heritage web site in Kampala and stays an vital religious place for the Baganda.
The location, which takes up 64 acres of land, dates from 1882. The first attraction is the massive conical thatched constructing which homes the tombs themselves, which is also known as the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga. Due to its measurement the constructing is taken into account a grand instance of a constructing utilizing conventional strategies and pure supplies equivalent to wood poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle.
Additionally on web site are a gatehouse, a drum home, and cemeteries the place the youngsters, wives, and different kinfolk of the kings are buried. The world additionally has quite a few historically constructed houses the place the widows of the previous Kings dwell and have a tendency the graves.
The Kasubi tombs had been truly nearly totally destroyed by hearth in 2010, nonetheless a significant renovation challenge was launched and so they reopened in 2025. We visited as they had been within the strategy of rebuilding and there was quite a few craftsman from varied components of Uganda working.
We actually loved our go to to the Kasubi tombs and might extremely suggest putting this in your to-do record in Kampala. This is a vital religious web site so be sure you gown conservatively. Girls might want to cowl their legs with a protracted skirt or tie a big scarf round their waist to go to. Jess had on pants however was nonetheless requested to tie a protracted skirt round her waist to enter.
There’s an entry charge to go to, payable on web site. You can be accompanied by an on-site information on your go to. It can be visited as a part of a guided tour like this one or this one which incorporates a number of stops in Kampala.
Wamala Tombs
In case you are all for tombs and Baganda tradition, you may additionally need to add a go to to Wamala Tomb to your record. That is smaller and fewer central burial place of the twenty ninth Kabaka of Buganda Ssekabaka Ssuuna ll who dominated from 1832 to 1856. By most accounts, he was not a really good man who had nearly all his brothers executed!
It is a smaller and fewer well-known web site in comparison with Kasubi. The tomb is inisde a conventional thatched constructing like that in Kasubi. There’s additionally the stays of the previous palace, tomb of Suuna’s mom, and a group of royal artifacts.
Be aware that the Wamala Tombs are a couple of 30 minute drive north of central Kampala. In case you are wanting to go to Wamala Tombs, you may take into account this tour which additionally contains 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 standard residence of the Buganda King. The palace, which is often known as Lubiri and Mengo Palace, will be discovered on the highest of Mengo Hill, and the placement provides wonderful views of the encircling metropolis.
At the moment the palace grounds are open to the general public to go to, though you possibly can’t go contained in the precise palace residence (Twekobe Palace). The Twekobe Palace is not used as a residence however continues to be used for official visits and ceremonies The primary place of work for the Kabaka is on the Bulange which is linked by a straight street generally known as the Kabaka Anjagala or “Royal Mile”.
So the go to takes place primarily outdoor. Visits are guided, you mainly flip up on the entry gate. pay the entry charge, and a information will probably be allotted to you.
Once we visited we had a wonderful English-speaking information named Fred who confirmed us across the grounds and defined a variety of the historical past of Uganda. In addition to being residence to the spectacular palace constructing, the grounds are additionally residence to the torture chambers of Idi Amin.
These underground concrete cells had been the ultimate holding location of anybody deemed a risk to Amin’s regime, and it’s estimated that over 200,000 folks had been murdered right here, their our bodies dumped in a close-by lake.
This darkish interval of Ugandan historical past is included on the tour, and is in stark distinction to the gorgeous palace on the hill. Determined messages written in charcoal and blood and damp stained concrete are all that continues to be of those 1000’s of misplaced lives.
In addition to the above, the tour contains different fascinating data on Ugandan historical past. Our information was additionally educated concerning the bushes, fruits, and vegetation we noticed alongside the stroll.
We learnt about bark fabric, a conventional cloth constructed from 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 gadgets which make for good Ugandan souvenirs.
Total, a go to to the Kabaka’s Palace grounds is an efficient strategy to find out about Ugandan historical past, together with it’s darker occasions. The on-site guides we visited with had been actually wonderful, and this was a really worthy expertise.
There’s in fact a charge to go to. You may go to your self, as we did, or as half of a bigger day tour. Nearly all of excursions of Kampala will embrace Kabaka’s Palace, equivalent to this one or this one.
Uganda Museum
Based in 1908, the Uganda Museum is likely one of the finest locations in Kampala to go to to be taught concerning the historical past of the nation. It’s additionally the oldest museum in East Africa.
It options a wide range of reveals, overlaying the historical past and tradition of the Ugandan folks, with objects together with musical devices, weapons of battle, barkcloth work, conventional medical provides, garments, and plenty extra. There’s are additionally reveals from pre-historical occasions, that includes fossils and different relics that time to the historical past of human evolution within the area.
Outdoors, you’ll discover the cultural village, which contains a vary of various conventional buildings and gadgets that had been used throughout completely different intervals in historical past. This was our favorite a part of the museum, and it was so fascinating to see the completely different kinds of home in addition to the gadgets utilized by the completely different tribes throughout Uganda.
The museum isn’t big, and might undoubtedly be visited in 2 to three hours. There’s an admission charge. You may go to by yourself or you will get a information for those who desire a guided go to. You may see extra about opening occasions and what you possibly can see on the official museum web site.
Be aware: the Uganda Museum closed for renovations in August 2024 and is because of reopen in mid-2025. Verify the official web site for the most recent standing.
Independence Monument
Uganda gained independence from the British on October 9, 1962, and this monument, which was unveiled the day earlier than the date of independence, symbolises that second.
The 29 foot excessive concrete sculpture, which will be discovered within the King George V Jubilee gardens, depicts a mom lifting her baby into the air with ropes round her legs. The ropes symbolise the liberty from colonialism, whereas the kid’s pleasure showcases the enjoyment of freedom.
The statue can also be depicted on Ugandan foreign money, showing on paper notes between 1,000 and 50,000 UGX. So it is perhaps acquainted to you earlier than you even see it!
It’s free to go to the Independence Monument in Kampala. Additionally it is typically included on excursions equivalent to this one and this city-centre strolling tour. We visited it as a part of this guided strolling tour.
Different Historic Monument and Statues in Kampala
Along with the Independence Monument, there are additionally quite a few different monuments and statues which you could see round Kampala. These embrace:
- World Conflict Memorial Monument – constructed by the British in 1945 to recollect the Ugandans misplaced within the first and second world wars. One of many oldest memorials in Kampala. Discovered on Kampala Street by the central police headquarters.
- King Mutesa II Monument – Monument to the thirty fifth King and first President of Uganda who died in exile in 1969. The monument exhibits him in British army fatigues, which is a nod to his service as a Queen’s Grenadier Guard. He was additionally the primary Black Commissioned Officer within the Grenadier Guards. This was initially positioned on the intersection of Speke Street and Nile Avenue, however because of street works it has been moved to sit down between the Serena Lodge and Imperial Royale Lodge
- The Cenetary Monument – Commemorating the centenary of the Kampala Metropolis 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 Authorities Assembly, this monument contains a household transferring ahead collectively, symbolizing the unity of the Commonwealth. Discovered between the Parliamentary Gardens and the Kampala Serena Lodge
- Lengthy Break 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 street between the Kabaka’s Palace and the Bulange.
- Wildlife Statues – You’ll discover quite a few wildlife statues alongside the roads in central Kampala, significantly Outdated Kira Street. Statues embrace a lion, gorillas, cranes, giraffes, impala and plenty of different native wildlife species
Be aware that there’s typically safety round public memorials and monuments and round authorities buildings in Uganda. So it’s possible you’ll be requested why you might be there and requested to not take pictures. For instance, we had been stopped on the battle memorial by police and we had been solely allowed to strategy and take a photograph as a result of we had been with a neighborhood information.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe
The subsequent few entries in our record of issues to do in Kampala are locations of worship for a number of the main religions you’ll discover in Uganda. We’ve visited all of those, and every location is fascinating and price visiting in its personal proper. It simply is dependent upon your pursuits.
The primary within the record is Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, extra generally known as Namirembe Cathedral. That is the oldest Anglican cathedral in Uganda and the headquarters of the Anglican Church of Uganda.
The church was consecrated in 1919, and is the fifth church constructing to be discovered on this location, with the primary 4 buildings (courting from 1890) all having been deserted or destroyed for varied causes.
The current-day church is a powerful massive crimson constructing with a domed roof, constructed from earthen bricks and earthen roof tiles.
The church will be discovered on the highest of Namirembe hill, simply to the west of town’s central enterprise district. As with a lot of the hills within the space, the hilltop location provides wonderful views of the encircling metropolis.
Be aware that it’s free to go to the surface of the cathedral however for those who want to go inside as a customer there’s a charge which features a guided tour. The church is in fact a working church so visits aren’t at all times allowed if worship companies or different occasions are going down.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga
St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, additionally generally referred to as Rubaga Cathedral, is discovered on the prime of Lubaga Hill, which is simply east of town heart. This commanding hilltop location provides wonderful views 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 was consecrated in 1925. It was initially arrange by the White Fathers, French Roman Catholic missionaries, who got the land by the thirty first Kabaka of Buganda.
The cathedral is a big brick constructing with two spectacular towers on the entrance, and the capability to carry as much as 5,000 worshippers. There are some fascinating stained-glass home windows, murals, and different artwork items that inform the story of the Catholic Church in Uganda. We had a information from the church who gave us a brief tour inside.
At the moment, most Ugandans establish as Christians (over 80%) and Roman Catholicism is the biggest denomination, adopted by Anglicism.
The church is free to go to though donations are inspired. The church is in fact a working church so visits aren’t at all times allowed if worship companies or different occasions are going down.
Baha’i Home of Worship
The Baha’i religion is likely one of the smaller and newer faiths in Uganda, however it’s predominant home of worship and placement continues to be nonetheless value a go to. Discovered on Kikaya Hill on the perimeters of town, this imposing octagonal constructing towers 127 toes above the bottom, topped by a big inexperienced dome. It may be seen for miles round.
The constructing, which dates from 1958, is discovered on a fifty-acre property which incorporates pretty, landscaped gardens in addition to quite a few different buildings. It has a surprising location.
Truthfully, we knew little or no concerning the Baha’i religion earlier than we visited, so the chance to find out about that was welcomed. All visits are by free guided tour, and our information was wonderful, displaying us the important thing highlights of the property and answering all our questions concerning the historical past of the constructing and the Baha’i religion. It’s undoubtedly one thing just a little bit completely different and well worth the small effort to get right here in our opinion.
We truly visited twice, the primary time we took a ride-share right here however arrived too late because it had already closed. You may solely go to the grounds throughout visiting hours. On our second go to we deliberate a bit higher and arrived throughout opening hours.
We signed in and got a tour by a stunning information named Esther. She advised us rather a lot concerning the historical past of the religion and of the Kampala temple. No companies had been taking place after we visited so we had been allowed to go inside, no speaking or images is allowed inside.
Because it’s discovered to the north of town heart it’s a good location to cease if you’re heading north out of town, maybe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or additional north to Murchison Nationwide Park.
Uganda Nationwide Mosque
The Uganda Nationwide Mosque, beforehand generally known 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 nearly 20,000 worshippers!
Development of the mosque truly began in 1972 throughout the regime of Idi Amin, nonetheless the instability of the regime meant that building halted in 1976. It wasn’t till 2001 that building restarted, due to the help of the Libyan chief Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The mosque lastly opened for worship in 2007 and was 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 will get nice views over town. This minaret was truly featured in a Season 31 episode of The Wonderful Race (2019), the place they needed to climb and rely all of the steps (272 of them!). In the event you plan on climbing, simply word that you simply want to have the ability to climb up and down all these steps to get to the highest as there’s no elevator. We had been the one ones contained in the tower throughout our go to.
The mosque will be visited by non-Muslims as a part of a tour. Simply word that in Fridays and different holy days, you will not be allowed to go inside the primary components of the mosque. However you must nonetheless have the ability to go to the outside and climb the minaret.
There’s an entrance charge to go to as a foreigner. We visited as a part of this guided strolling tour and had been assigned to a mosque information for this a part of the go to. The inside of the mosque is admittedly architecturally spectacular, however for us the spotlight was going up the tower for the views throughout town.
As with all spiritual constructing you’ll want to observe the gown code. All guests ought to gown modestly. Girls ought to put on free becoming garments overlaying to the wrist, ankle (ideally a protracted skirt), and canopy their heads. Males ought to put on trousers and shirts with sleeves. Coverings can be found at reception to borrow (as a part of entrance charge).
Once we visited Jess felt a bit suffocated because it was scorching and she or he needed to wrap a big scarf (kanga) round her waist (she had on pants/trousers not a skirt), put on a head scarf, and a face masks (COVID-19 rules on the time). We additionally needed to take our footwear on and off a number of occasions and she or he spent a variety 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 singular design, consisting of an enormous round constructing, which was designed to duplicate a conventional African hut. It’s additionally some of the visited pilgrimage websites in Africa, because it serves as a shrine to the Uganda Martyrs.
The Uganda Martyrs had been a bunch of twenty-two Catholic and 23 Anglican Christians, who had been killed between 1885 and 1887. Most of the martyrs had been members of the King’s Royal Courtroom who had adopted Christianity in opposition to the King’s needs, and whom he ordered to be executed. Nearly all of the martyrs (twenty-two males) had been burned alive at Namugongo in 1886.
The dying of the Uganda martyrs had a significant impression on the political and spiritual panorama in Uganda. It resulted in widespread fashionable help amongst the British public for buying Uganda as a protectorate, which occurred just some years after the deaths of the martyrs. It additionally led to a extra widespread adoption of Christianity in Uganda, with about 80% of the inhabitants right now being part of the Christian religion.
The 22 Catholic Ugandan martyrs had been beatified in 1920, and canonized as saints in 1964. Since its completion in 1968 the Basilica has served as the focus for the annual Martyrs Day Celebration. That is held on the third June, which is the Feast of the Uganda Martyrs. On at the present time a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals go to the shrine.
Pope Francis visited Uganda and the basilica in 2015. He celebrated Mass outdoors the basilica at Namugongo November 28, 2015.
Nevertheless, you possibly can go to the shrine at any time of yr and discover the grounds and basilica throughout visiting hours. There was a small charge to go to for worldwide guests.
There’s the bascilica, just a little museum space, shrines to the martyrs, a small lake, an amphitheater, a small cafe, and a present store. It’s a peaceful and peaceable place and nicely value a go to.
Kampala Markets
Markets are an excellent place to get to know the native tradition and to additionally choose up some souvenirs out of your journey. Uganda has many markets, with two of the biggest being Owino Market and Nakasero Market.
Nakasero Market is the oldest market in Kampala. It’s divided into two areas, an inside and an outdoor. The surface space primarily sells contemporary produce, whereas the within space has extra of a give attention to issues like clothes, textiles and souvenirs.
Owino Market is the biggest central market in Kampala and whereas it sells a little bit of all the pieces, it’s significantly recognized for distributors promoting secondhand clothes, footwear, and vogue equipment.
There are in fact dozens of different smaller markets in Kampala, and every space or neighboorhood could have some type of market.
In case you are particularly on the lookout for souvenirs, then you definitely also needs to take into account a go to to Publicity Africa. Situated on Buganda street, this market has over 30 stalls that includes arts and crafts that are typically made both in Uganda or Kenya. It has a wide range of antiques, native crafts, artwork, and souvenirs.
We suggest visiting with a information to get probably the most of your go to to the markets. They’re massive, busy, and will be actually overwhelming for a first-time customer. A neighborhood information may allow you to talk with stall homeowners and be sure to get a good worth.
Whereas we felt protected strolling round Kampala, thieves, pickpockets, and scammers will goal vacationers. You additionally need to be very cautious of your valuables when contained in the markets. We suggest that you simply go away any costly jewellery, cameras, and different gear at your lodge.
Images is commonly discouraged and it’s possible you’ll be requested to cease taking pictures or filming. At all times ask earlier than taking a photograph of an individual or their items. Our information requested permission of one of many market homeowners to permit us to take some pictures from sure areas at Nakasero Market and even then we had been watched and requested solely to take pictures from a sure place.
Outdated Taxi Park
The Outdated Taxi Park is the oldest and largest transit terminal in Kampala. Right here you’ll see a whole bunch of minibuses coming and entering into organized chaos.
That is in no way a must-see place however it’s included in a variety of strolling excursions as a cease, and it’s a good place to cease to find out about transportation in Kampala.
Ndere Cultural Middle
One among our favourite actions in Kampala was our go to to the Ndere Cultural Middle. The cultural heart showcases the cultural heritage of Uganda, with dance performances, artwork reveals, and meals.
The Ndere troupe was based in 1984 by Rwangezi Stephen in 1984 as a cultural group “for common unity via music, dance and drama”. They’ve now additionally unfold that message round Uganda with touring teams.
The primary expertise for guests in Kampala, which is what we’d suggest and did, is to go to for one of many night performances. These fluctuate however usually embrace a mixture of dance, theater, and music and infrequently even have the choice to have a buffet dinner throughout the present.
These performances happen a number of occasions every week, and usually run from 7pm – 10pm. Exhibits are held outdoors below a big mango tree, and in addition to the present there’s the choice to buy meals and drinks.
We visited for the Wednesday night Sherehe present. This was a very enjoyable night with nice performers and a stunning setting. The present tells the tales from the completely different Ugandan tribes with conventional dance. There’s additionally a wonderful and entertaining predominant host who explains what you might be seeing so all of it has context, and brings all of it collectively.
Dinner was a buffet with conventional Ugandan meals which was additionally good. We are able to extremely beneficial reserving a ticket for a efficiency right here if one is going on throughout your go to to Kampala. Its an excellent night out and supporting a great native group.
It’s simple sufficient to go to the Ndere Cultural Middle your self, or you possibly can ebook a tour which incorporates quite a few sights in addition to the present and dinner like this one.
Nommo Artwork Gallery
In the event you’re all for seeing and even shopping for up some native artwork throughout your time in Kampala, then a go to to Nommo Gallery is value your time. It’s a small gallery however it’s certainly one of few in Uganda.
The Nommo Gallery was established by the Uganda Nationwide Cultural Middle in 1964, and will be discovered within the coronary heart of town close to to State Lodge. It serves as Uganda’s Nationwide Artwork Gallery.
Once we visited the primary artwork exhibited was a black-and-white images exhibition about incapacity. There was additionally quite a few different artwork on the market, principally work, but additionally statues, wooden carvings, paper artwork, and so forth. made by native artists.
Be aware that attending to the gallery will be difficult. We had a taxi, however he needed to drop us off a couple of 10-minute stroll from the gallery due to street closures and safety checkpoints. The gallery is positioned close to the State Home which regularly results in elevated safety within the space. So we needed to go on foot via a few completely different safety checkpoints (a photograph ID was required) to achieve the artwork gallery (after which return).
Not too long ago, there was discuss of relocating the gallery to someplace that’s simpler for guests to achieve however no determination has but been reached. Within the meantime, if you wish to go to be sure you be ready and take alongside an official picture ID with you and put on snug footwear.
Take a Meals Tour
We love exploring the native meals after we go to a rustic, and among the finest methods we’ve discovered to try this is to take a meals tour. On certainly one of our visits to Kampala we took this three-hour meals tour.
This was a wonderful strategy to strive a variety of Ugandan meals, and included Rolex, deep-fried grasshoppers, fritters, fried fish, contemporary fruit, sugar cane juice, and samosas from a wide range of road distributors. It then completed with a full buffet at a restaurant specializing in Ugandan meals. Probably the most widespread meals eaten in Uganda is matooke (a boiled and mashed inexperienced bananas) so I’d be sure you strive that.
The true spotlight of the tour although, past the superb meals, was our tour information Andrew. The excursions are led by extremely passionate and enthusiastic Ugandans who like to share their ardour for Ugandan meals and their data of Kampala. We had been fortunate sufficient to be the one folks on the tour, so we acquired to speak with our tour information about all kinds of subjects, from the political historical past of the nation, to his favourite meals, sports activities, and what it’s wish to dwell in Kampala.
If you need an immersive native expertise and to strive a variety of native produce and dishes, this meals tour is a wonderful strategy to just do that. This gives you an excellent introduction to Ugandan meals.
Go to AFFCAD
Like many nations all over the world, poverty is an actual difficulty in Uganda, particularly affecting youngsters. They typically have restricted entry to all the pieces from clear water to schooling to healthcare, which doesn’t end in optimistic life outcomes.
One group that’s working to empower these in poverty is AFFCAD, which stands for Motion for Elementary Change
and Growth. This nonprofit was arrange by 4 younger males from Bwaise in Kampala, one of many poorest neighborhoods within the metropolis.
This township suffers from an absence of city planning, speedy inhabitants progress, and a location on a former wetland, which all conspire to create dwelling circumstances tormented by floods and unsanitary circumstances.
We suggest watching the movie Queen of Katwe earlier than your go to to Uganda to get an thought of life within the slums in Uganda, in addition to be taught concerning the wonderful real-life story of Phiona Mutesi, who grew up in Katwe, and her mentor Robert Katende.
AFFCAD are working to enhance alternatives obtainable to the folks in Kampala’s poorest areas, together with the Bwaise neighborhood, via a spread of instructional, healthcare, and financial applications. That is achieved via vocational coaching, colleges, and entry to healthcare.
AFFCAD additionally provides a slum consciousness tour to guests to Kampala, the place you possibly can be taught concerning the challenges dealing with neighborhoods like Bwaise, and perceive what AFFCAD are doing to assist. We’ve written up to now about moral slum tourism so we undoubtedly suggest studying that earlier than reserving any slum excursions. Primarily based on our expertise, we really feel that visiting Bwaise with AFFCAD undoubtedly ends in total optimistic outcomes.
We took our strolling tour with Jaffar, one of many 4 founders of AFFCAD. We visited the varied AFFCAD buildings the place they provide vocational coaching. It was not a “faculty” day, so it was a comparatively quiet day, however we noticed the varied instruments used for instructing expertise together with computer systems and stitching machines. The tour then took us on foot across the Bwaise neighborhood to get extra of an understanding of the challenges confronted by the residents.
Lastly, we had been served a conventional meal of kikkomondo, which is mainly beans and chapati, and is scrumptious. A pleasant strategy to finish the tour.
Our tour lasted about 2.5 hours and included transport from our lodge in Kampala. We did it in 2023 and the fee was $35 per individual. We paid in money initially of the tour of their workplace.
The proceeds from the tour go on to serving to AFFCAD enhance the lives of a few of Uganda’s poorest, and might make an actual distinction. It’s additionally an excellent strategy to get insights from a neighborhood about life on this a part of Kampala.
You could find out extra about visiting AFFCAD at their web site right here. These excursions do must be booked upfront. One of the best ways to arrange a tour is to e-mail them straight, which you are able to do at data@affcad.org.
Guide a Strolling Tour of Central Kampala
We are able to extremely suggest reserving a guided strolling tour 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’d like another person to deal with transportation.
Kampala generally is a bit chaotic, particularly for a primary time customer, and letting another person take care of logistics and route planning will allow you to give attention to the sights. It may additionally allow you to navigate a number of the language limitations and safety points that you could be come throughout.
We took this wonderful strolling tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the prime firm we are able to personally suggest for strolling excursions as we have now taken a number of strolling and meals excursions from them throughout our visits to Uganda.
This firm was setup by a bunch of younger native Ugandans eager to showcase the most effective of their nation, and we additionally took excursions with them in Entebbe and Jinja. In addition they ran the meals strolling tour we did in Kampala. You may see extra of their excursions right here.
The tour we did with Arthur coated a number of the predominant highlights of central Kampala, and included sampling of a Rolex, visits to Nakasero Market, Owino Market, a Hindu temple, Parliament Sq., and the Outdated Taxi Park, a neighborhood espresso on the 1000 Cups Cafe, and time at a number of the monuments in Kampala together with the Independence Monument. We additionally took the choice to go to the Uganda Nationwide Mosque.
Total, we are able to extremely suggest reserving a strolling tour of Kampala as a part of your go to to town. Ideally we suggest doing one thing like this at the start of your time in Uganda because it helps offer you a great introduction and an opportunity to ask a variety of questions.
Day Journeys and 2-Day Journeys from Kampala
Clearly, there may be heaps to do in Kampala itself, however if you’re within the metropolis for a number of days (maybe as a part of a convention or one thing), you is perhaps questioning what choices there are for exploring additional afield.
The excellent news is that there are many good day journey choices from Kampala, in addition to choices for 2-day journeys. Most of those will be achieved as a part of a day tour. Listed below are some to contemplate:
- A day journey to Jinja and the supply of the Nile. Jinja is a comparatively laid-back metropolis on the shores of Lake Victoria, round a 2-hour drive to the east of Kampala. It’s famous as being considered one of many sources of the River Nile, as that is the place Lake Victoria begins to feed into this mighty river. A tour from Kampala is an efficient strategy to see the sights of town in a day.
- Entebbe day journey – Most guests to Uganda will cross via Entebbe as that is the place the worldwide airport is positioned. It’s solely about half an hours drive from Kampala and will be simply reached with a ride-share or shuttle bus service. There’s heaps 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.
- Go to the Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island. Chimpanzee trekking is a well-liked exercise in Uganda, however the majority of the chimpanzees are too distant from the capital metropolis to make a day journey possible. Nevertheless, there’s a inhabitants of chimps on Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria. This tour contains round-trip transport from Kampala with a boat-cruise, in addition to a guided chimpanzee trek, snacks, and lunch. Be aware that’s can also be the most effective place to see chimps in Uganda when you have youngsters as all different websites have minimal age restrictions.
- See the shoebill storks at Mabamba Swamp. One among our favourite experiences in Uganda was our boat birding safari on Mabamba Swamp to see the superior wanting shoebill stork. These birds have an unimaginable shovel formed beak, and are solely present in a number of places in Uganda. The boat tour additionally contains the chance to see many different birds, however the shoebill stork is the spotlight.
- A day journey to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is presently the one place to see rhino in Uganda. Contains round-trip transfers and admission to the park. We’ve visited Ziwa twice and have at all times gotten to see rhino, a extra exceptional expertise since you truly trek and discover the rhino on foot. Additionally, you will doubtless see a variety of birds and different wildlife as nicely right here. Extremely beneficial.
- In the event you actually need to go on safari in Uganda however don’t have a variety of time to spare, then take into account this 2-day in a single day journey to Murchison Falls. It’s round a 4 hour drive every means, however you’ll nonetheless have time to see the spectacular Murchison Falls, take a ship journey, and do a morning recreation drive. There’s additionally the choice to incorporate a cease at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- There are additionally many multi-day safari centered excursions from Uganda, together with excursions which characteristic chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You may see a number of the finest choices on GetYourGuide right here and Viator right here.
There are in fact many extra choices for journeys from Kampala, particularly when you have extra time. You may see a vary of choices right here. The one factor we’d at all times suggest is to verify driving distances. Uganda is pretty massive, and also you don’t need to spend all of your time simply sitting in a car getting from Level A to B.
Practicalities for Visiting Kampala
How you can Get to Kampala
As the primary metropolis in Uganda, Kampala is nicely linked to the remainder of the nation by street. The primary airport in Uganda is in close by Entebbe, with an specific freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automotive. Be aware this can be a toll street, however the charge is nicely value paying because the outdated Entebbe-Kampala street can take over 2 hours to traverse because of visitors.
In case you are arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your lodge may have the ability to organize an airport switch for you. You too can ebook this your self utilizing a service like this.
There’s additionally a shared shuttle bus service from Entebbe to Kampala and Jinja generally known as the Pineapple Specific. This provides an reasonably priced scheduled service from quite a few Entebbe places together with the airport, and you may ebook this on-line right here.
How you can Get Round Kampala
There are a variety of various methods of getting round Kampala. The town and its points of interest are fairly unfold out, so while you possibly can stroll to see some points of interest, it’s doubtless you will want some type of transport throughout your go to.
There are a variety of choices, together with motorbike taxis (boda boda), minivan taxis (matatu), journey sharing apps like Protected Boda and Uber, in addition to non-public drivers and tour firms. You would additionally hire a automotive and drive your self, though given the visitors and a number of the street conditons we’d in all probability advise in opposition to that.
As a global traveler, your two predominant choices for fast journey are to both use a automotive (both a personal taxi or through journey sharing app) or to get a boda boda. The boda boda is certainly the quickest and most cost-effective possibility of the 2 and if it’s worthwhile to get someplace fast, these are sometimes the one possibility. They are often hailed from nearly any road. However we caught to vehicles as a result of there was the 2 of us 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 we may pay through the app. Nevertheless, we did have points with drivers probably not realizing learn how to use the app appropriately or nonetheless asking us to pay in money (we’d refuse and nonetheless pay through app). So simply know many drivers are new to Uber so there can nonetheless be points.
One other fashionable possibility is SafeBoda, which lets you specify if you’d like a automotive or a boda boda (motorcycle). In the event you do need to take motorcycle taxis, we do suggest reserving via them as you possibly can pay through the app and so they embrace a helmet and security vest.
For a number of the sights we visited they had been shut sufficient to our lodge that we visited them on foot. So strolling is an possibility, simply be sure you put on snug footwear you don’t thoughts getting soiled (our footwear acquired a pleasant layer of reddish brown mud from our walks).
On certainly one of our later visits to Kampala we walked out rather a lot, sufficient in order that the native safety folks within the space would say whats up to us and finally stopped asking if we needed them to name us a taxi. Whereas we felt protected wandering round on foot, it might not really feel snug or be a great possibility for some folks as you’ll doubtless draw consideration. We solely walked throughout daylight, and wouldn’t suggest strolling by yourself after darkish.
In fact, if you’re doing a tour that features transportation in Kampala (or a part of a a lot greater Uganda tour), then that can also be a preferred means for guests to get round. On our first go to to Kampala, our driver simply dropped us off and picked us up at designated locations, making it very simple.
In case you are visiting by yourself (with out a tour information), simply know it’s not that arduous to get round Kampala by yourself. In case you have any questions or need assistance getting a taxi or boda boda, your lodge can simply allow you to organize this.
The place to Keep in Kampala
There’s a variety of lodges to remain at in Kampala, throughout varied worth factors. Listed below are some choices to contemplate, together with the lodges we’ve stayed at throughout our time within the metropolis.
- Bushpig Backpackers – for those who’re on the lookout for a hostel in Kampala (or only a funds pleasant lodging possibility), then this is a wonderful selection. Each non-public rooms and shared dormitory rooms can be found, and it’s only a brief stroll from the Uganda Museum. There’s additionally an on-site bar and restaurant the place the included breakfast is served.
- ONOMO Lodge Kampala – we’ve stayed right here twice and had a snug keep every time. This is likely one of the newer and extra trendy lodges in Kampala. There’s free WiFi, snug air-conditioned rooms, a pool, an on-site restaurant, and wonderful buffet breakfast.
- Humura Resorts – we stayed on this pretty stress-free boutique lodge on our first go to to Kampala. Rooms are very snug and supply air-conditioning, and there’s an on-site restaurant and pool. It’s a really peaceable place that provides an oasis of calm away from the bustle of town.
- Kampala Serena – we have now stayed in quite a few Serena properties and at all times had a great keep, so we’re blissful to suggest this 4* lodge. That includes a big swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms, and on-site eating places, this lodge would make an excellent base for exploring town
- Sheraton Kampala – This 5-star Sheraton lodge is one other luxurious possibility discovered within the metropolis heart proper subsequent to the Independence Monument. It has a pool, quite a few eating places, snug air-conditioned rooms, a health heart, a sauna, and a magnificence salon.
In fact there are numerous extra choices throughout Kampala, you possibly can see an entire vary of properties at various worth factors on reserving.com right here.
Security in Kampala
Lots of people ask is Kampala protected? That is unimaginable to essentially completely reply however it’s safer than many different African cities however it does have its share of violent crimes, petty crimes, dangers of terrorism, and well being threats.
That mentioned, we have now personally felt fairly protected in Kampala as international guests on our 4 visits to town. However you do have to take regular precautions for touring in a big metropolis.
The primary dangers most vacationers will face in Kampala will probably be pickpockets and thieves. Needless to say a $1,000 digicam or smartphone could also be regular to you however might imply a complete lot to somebody dwelling on a number of {dollars} a day. So, you’ll want to be vigilant together with your valuables and carry a minimal amount of cash on you.
The danger will doubtless be increased in busier areas like crowded markets, or on a public bus. Maintaining any valuables like costly jewellery, watches, smartphones, or cameras out of sight is a smart thought. In the event you don’t want them, I’d preserve them within the lodge. You’ll in all probability discover in a number of the pictures that at the same time as a photographer I left my huge digicam at residence most days and simply carried just a little compact digicam with a thick neck strap.
A cash belt, equivalent to this Eagle Creek one (which is the one we personal), is an efficient strategy to retailer cash, bank cards, lodge key, passports, and so forth. You’ll want to guarantee something that may be snatched is secured, so for instance a cross-body purse or digicam strap that goes round your neck goes to be higher than having one thing slung over a shoulder that may be extra simply taken. In the event you select to put on a backpack, be sure the closures/zippers will be secured.
Having a information or becoming a member of a tour will assist scale back your danger; nonetheless, word you continue to must be vigilant even with a information as they’ll’t at all times be watching you and your valuables.
In the event you select to hire a automotive (not beneficial for most individuals), keep away from leaving valuables in your automotive and park it in a safe spot at night time.
As with wherever on this planet, the chance will increase at night time, and it’s typically finest to keep away from strolling alone at night time in most areas. Taking a ride-share as a part of a bunch, or simply touring with a personal information, is probably going going to be safer.
A particular consideration for journey to Uganda ought to be made for LGBTQ+ vacationers after the passing of the Might 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act. In keeping with the U.S. Division of State, LGBT individuals (or individuals perceived as such and people selling LGBT points) are at elevated danger for fines, violence, harassment, imprisonment, and might even face the dying penalty.
Language in Kampala
The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; nonetheless, there are a variety of native languages spoken in Uganda.
Probably the most broadly spoken language within the space is Luganda. Luganda is the language of the Baganda folks (Kampala is a part of the Buganda area, the biggest of the standard kingdoms in Uganda).
Though Swahili has been made an official language, we not often heard locals talking it until chatting with guests from different East African nations. Some advised us they like to not communicate the language because it reminds them of the time of Amin and army violence. Nevertheless, it’s the language they share with a lot of the remainder of East Africa.
As a vacationer in Entebbe and Kampala, you will get by fairly nicely with English as most individuals within the tourism trade right here communicate a minimum of some English. At points of interest and museums, the knowledge is commonly written in English.
In the event you don’t communicate English, Swahili, or a neighborhood language equivalent to Luganda, you must take into account hiring a information or translator to get probably the most of your time in Kampala. Or a minimum of convey a great written guidebook with you.
Foreign money in Kampala
The primary foreign money in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling, or UGX. That is accepted all over the place.
The US greenback can also be typically accepted, however you ought to be conscious that they must be latest payments in excellent form. Any type of marking or harm to the invoice means it’s unlikely to be accepted because of a concern of the financial institution not accepting it. We had this occur quite a few occasions in Uganda (and different African nations). So it’s typically simpler to simply discover an ATM and withdraw UGX.
Bank cards are additionally accepted at most lodges and bigger eating places, however this isn’t common, so it’s finest to at all times carry 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.
Earlier than you go to you’ll want to guarantee you might be updated on any vaccinations you want. You also needs to talk about any present suggestions for journey to Uganda, which is able to doubtless embrace anti-malarial treatment.
You may get malaria in Kampala though the chance is decrease than in most different components of Uganda. Be aware that along with malaria, mosquitoes can carry and transmit quite a few different illnesses so prevention is essential (insect repellent, carrying lengthy sleeves and pants, and so forth.)
We additionally extremely suggest studying the well being recommendation given by your native authorities for vacationers to Uganda. You may see the U.S. CDC journey well being data and suggestions to vacationers right here, and from the UK authorities right here.
Studying the well being warnings issued by governments generally is a bit scary as there have been outbreaks of some fairly severe issues like ebola, mpox (monkeypox), cholera, and yellow fever in Uganda. However simply know that these are typically small outbreaks and you aren’t prone to come into contact with them as a vacationer. However you must nonetheless be educated and take mandatory precautions.
The primary well being difficulty most travellers are prone to face goes to be an upset abdomen. This may be brought on by a wide range of issues, however is most frequently brought on by consuming or ingesting one thing with contaminated water.
Relating to 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 fruits (until you possibly can peel it), unpasteurized milk, cooked meals that aren’t served scorching, and so forth. until you realize they’re from a good and licensed meals vendor (equivalent to your lodge restaurant).
In the event you’d desire to keep away from shopping for bottled water in Kampala, you possibly can learn this text on protected ingesting water when touring for tactics which you could deal with water when touring. We used a Grayl water filter bottle for filtering faucet water for ingesting, cooking (e.g, washing fruits), and brushing our tooth whereas in Kampala on our final journey. This made it in order that we didn’t want to purchase any bottled water.
For meals, it’s finest to try to eat at respected institutions the place potential. If you wish to be extra adventurous, a good suggestion is to take a meals tour like this one that we did, the place the tour information will steer you in direction of protected dishes and take you to locations which have good hygiene requirements.
As individuals who have been sick in Uganda (almost definitely from consuming contemporary greens on a sandwich), we extremely recommending being cautious and following the beneficial pointers. We had been in Uganda for a number of weeks at that time and let our guard down for a day which was a mistake that left us sick for a number of days.
Excursions of Kampala
There are a variety of excursions of Kampala which you could take, which is able to give you a protected, guided expertise in Uganda’s capital metropolis. We’ve taken quite a few strolling excursions in Kampala and so they had been all wonderful, with pleasant, educated guides who helped us actually perceive what we had been seeing. Listed below are some excursions we suggest.
- This meals tour, which incorporates a variety of tasty meals, from road meals classics via to a sit-down buffet meal. We’ve taken this tour.
- This strolling tour, which incorporates lots of the highlights of Kampala that we point out on this information. We’ve taken this tour as nicely.
- That is one other tour of Kampala, which additionally visits quite a few highlights within the metropolis. We haven’t personally taken this one however it’s extremely reviewed.
Getting On-line in Uganda
You’ve got a number of choices for getting on-line if you go to Uganda. First, many locations together with the vast majority of lodges have free WiFi, so it is possible for you to to attach a smartphone, pill, or laptop computer to WiFi. There’s additionally typically free WiFi at espresso outlets and eating places, particularly these catering to vacationers.
Nevertheless, you might be doubtless additionally going to need to be on-line even when not in vary of a free WiFi hotspot. Most guides for instance use WhatsApp for communication, which works over the web. If you wish to use a ride-sharing service like Uber you’ll additionally want to have the ability to get on-line.
So which means you’ll want a SIM card with information connectivty. We’ve used Airtel, and we purchased a SIM card from the Airtel kiosk on the arrivals corridor within the airport. There are a number of completely different carriers, however Airtel labored nicely for us and was a great worth. It additionally had the benefit that as we had been visiting a number of completely different East African nations we had been capable of buy a roaming information bundle which coated us in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania as nicely.
An alternative choice could be to make use of an eSIM service in case your cellphone helps it. We’ve used Airalo in Uganda. We regularly use Airalo after we journey (see our full Airalo evaluate right here). It’s usually barely dearer than shopping for a neighborhood SIM, however will allow you to get on-line as quickly as you land and skip having to discover a SIM card and undergo the native strategy of registering it.
If you need extra recommendation on web entry when touring, see our information to getting on-line when touring for some suggestions and recommendation.
Energy Shops / Journey Adapters for Uganda
Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Kind G plug), as one can find within the UK and quite a few different nations in East Africa. In case you are coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your gear will probably be tremendous and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.
In case you are visiting from a distinct nation, equivalent to from the USA, Canada, or most of Europe, then you will want a journey adaptor like this.
Moreover, Uganda makes use of a 220v-240v system. That is much like a lot of the world except for components of the Americas, together with Canada and the USA, the place 110v is the norm. In case you are travelling from certainly one of these nations, you will want to verify in case your gear helps the upper voltage. It ought to be written on the plug.
Usually, decrease powered gadgets like cameras, laptops, and cellphone chargers help 110v – 240v, while increased energy gadgets like hairdryers don’t. See our information to journey adapters for extra on this subject.
Additional Studying
That sums up our information to issues to do in Kampala. We hope you discovered it helpful! Earlier than you head off, we needed to share some hyperlinks to different content material we expect you may discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.
- We’ve an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that can assist you plan extra of your journey.
- We’ve an in depth information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda. These are each fashionable actions for guests to Uganda and nicely value doing in our opinion
- We’ve a information to picking the finest safari digicam, and a information to getting higher pictures on safari, so you possibly can make sure you get nice reminiscences of your journey.
- We even have an in depth safari packing record that can assist you determine what to convey with you
- In case you are planning on visiting Kenya, try our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our steered 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a number of concepts for town
- We’ve a information to getting on-line when travelling, that can assist you keep linked in Uganda
- You’re going to want to energy all of your gadgets if you journey – see our information to the finest journey adapters so you possibly can select the precise one for Uganda
- In the event you’d like a journey information, take into account the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is usually considered the best choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and might extremely suggest this ebook because it has all the pieces from the historical past of the nation and it’s folks, via to packing suggestions, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally contains detailed data on chimp and gorilla trekking.
- Guide smart, we additionally pack and journey with each the Pocket Information: Birds of East Africa and the Pocket Information to the Mammals of East Africa. These are each very conveniently sized and can allow you to establish a variety of what you see on a go to to any east African nation.
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful. In case you have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we are able to.
