We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Uganda numerous occasions and had some wonderful experiences together with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking. Nonetheless, there’s much more to do in Uganda past these iconic actions!
After we go to Uganda, we all the time spend a few of our time in its capital metropolis, Kampala. That is by far the most important metropolis in Uganda, and also you’ll discover a lot 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. Nonetheless, we predict no go to to Uganda is full with out spending a little bit 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 more likely to see metropolis life. It’s a spot many Ugandans come for enterprise, education, coaching, buying, and spiritual gatherings. It additionally has numerous vacationer sights!
Most worldwide vacationers to Uganda spend little or no, if any, time within the nation’s capital, and we predict that Kampala deserves a cease in your itinerary if you wish to get a greater understanding of the nation and its individuals. So, when you’ve got the time, we advocate at the very least 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 wish to encourage extra individuals 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 among the highlights as a part of an extended tour in Uganda or are on the town for an extended time period, we hope this information evokes you to see as a lot as you possibly can.
We’ll additionally share some tips about 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, based mostly on our private expertise visiting. You must be capable of do all these actions throughout a number of days or pick 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 at this time was comprised of a collection of smaller kingdoms.
The most important of those kingdoms was the Buganda kingdom, residence to the Baganda individuals. 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 this present day.
The Kabaka are clearly essential to the Baganda individuals, 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 non secular website in Uganda. It’s additionally the one UNESCO world heritage website in Kampala and stays an vital non secular 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 sometimes called the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga. Due to its dimension the constructing is taken into account a grand instance of a constructing utilizing conventional strategies and pure supplies resembling picket poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle.
Additionally on website are a gatehouse, a drum home, and cemeteries the place the kids, wives, and different kinfolk of the kings are buried. The realm additionally has numerous historically constructed houses the place the widows of the previous Kings dwell and have a tendency the graves.
The Kasubi tombs had been really nearly totally destroyed by fireplace in 2010, nevertheless a serious renovation challenge was launched they usually reopened in 2025. We visited as they had been within the strategy of rebuilding and there was numerous craftsman from varied elements of Uganda working.
We actually loved our go to to the Kasubi tombs and might extremely advocate putting this in your to-do record in Kampala. This is a crucial non secular website so make sure you gown conservatively. Ladies 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 may be an entry payment to go to, payable on website. You’ll be accompanied by an on-site information in 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
If you’re interested by tombs and Baganda tradition, you may additionally wish 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 website in comparison with Kasubi. The tomb is inisde a conventional thatched constructing like that in Kasubi. There may be 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 few 30 minute drive north of central Kampala. If you’re wanting to go to Wamala Tombs, you may take into account this tour which additionally consists of 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 also called Lubiri and Mengo Palace, will be discovered on the highest of Mengo Hill, and the situation presents glorious views of the encircling metropolis.
At present 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 principle workplace for the Kabaka is on the Bulange which is linked by a straight highway generally known as the Kabaka Anjagala or “Royal Mile”.
So the go to takes place primarily open air. Visits are guided, you mainly flip up on the entry gate. pay the entry payment, and a information will likely be allotted to you.
After we visited we had a wonderful English-speaking information named Fred who confirmed us across the grounds and defined lots 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 individuals 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 hundreds of misplaced lives.
In addition to the above, the tour consists of different attention-grabbing data on Ugandan historical past. Our information was additionally educated in regards to the timber, fruits, and vegetation we noticed alongside the stroll.
We learnt about bark material, 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 objects which make for good Ugandan souvenirs.
Total, a go to to the Kabaka’s Palace grounds is an efficient technique to study Ugandan historical past, together with it’s darker occasions. The on-site guides we visited with had been actually glorious, and this was a really worthy expertise.
There may be after all a payment 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, resembling this one or this one.
Uganda Museum
Based in 1908, the Uganda Museum is without doubt one of the finest locations in Kampala to go to to study in regards to the historical past of the nation. It’s additionally the oldest museum in East Africa.
It options quite a lot of reveals, overlaying the historical past and tradition of the Ugandan individuals, with objects together with musical devices, weapons of struggle, barkcloth work, conventional medical provides, garments, and much more. There 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.
Exterior, you’ll discover the cultural village, which incorporates a vary of various conventional buildings and objects that had been used throughout completely different durations in historical past. This was our favorite a part of the museum, and it was so attention-grabbing to see the completely different kinds of home in addition to the objects utilized by the completely different tribes throughout Uganda.
The museum will not be enormous, and might undoubtedly be visited in 2 to three hours. There may be an admission payment. You may go to by yourself or you will get a information should you want 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. Examine the official web site for the newest 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 could be acquainted to you earlier than you even see it!
It’s free to go to the Independence Monument in Kampala. It is usually usually included on excursions resembling this one and this city-centre strolling tour. We visited it as a part of this guided strolling tour.
Different Historic Monuments and Statues in Kampala
Along with the Independence Monument, there are additionally numerous different monuments and statues which you could see round Kampala. These embrace:
- World Battle 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 Highway 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 reveals him in British navy 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 Highway and Nile Avenue, however attributable to highway works it has been moved to sit down between the Serena Lodge and Imperial Royale Lodge
- The Centenary 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 Highway
- Stride Monument – Created to honor the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly, this monument incorporates 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 highway between the Kabaka’s Palace and the Bulange.
- Wildlife Statues – You’ll discover numerous wildlife statues alongside the roads in central Kampala, notably Previous Kira Highway. Statues embrace a lion, gorillas, cranes, giraffes, impala and lots of different native wildlife species
Be aware that there’s usually safety round public memorials and monuments and round authorities buildings in Uganda. So chances are you’ll be requested why you might be there and requested to not take images. For instance, we had been stopped on the struggle memorial by police and we had been solely allowed to method 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 among the main religions you’ll discover in Uganda. We’ve visited all of those, and every location is attention-grabbing and value visiting in its personal proper. It simply relies on 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 (relationship from 1890) all having been deserted or destroyed for varied causes.
The current-day church is a formidable giant purple 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 presents glorious views of the encircling metropolis.
Be aware that it’s free to go to the surface of the cathedral however should you want to go inside as a customer there’s a payment which features a guided tour. The church is after all a working church so visits will not be all the time allowed if worship providers or different occasions are happening.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga
St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, additionally generally referred to as Rubaga Cathedral, is discovered on the high of Lubaga Hill, which is simply east of town heart. This commanding hilltop location presents glorious views of the encircling metropolis.
That is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese 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 attention-grabbing 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 present, most Ugandans establish as Christians (over 80%) and Roman Catholicism is the most important denomination, adopted by Anglicism.
The church is free to go to though donations are inspired. The church is after all a working church so visits will not be all the time allowed if worship providers or different occasions are happening.
Baha’i Home of Worship
The Baha’i religion is without doubt one of the smaller and newer faiths in Uganda, however its foremost home of worship and site continues to be nonetheless value a go to. Discovered on Kikaya Hill on the sides of town, this imposing octagonal constructing towers 127 ft 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 numerous different buildings. It has a shocking location.
Actually, we knew little or no in regards to the Baha’i religion earlier than we visited, so the chance to study that was welcomed. All visits are by free guided tour, and our information was glorious, exhibiting us the important thing highlights of the property and answering all our questions in regards to the historical past of the constructing and the Baha’i religion. It’s undoubtedly one thing a little bit bit completely different and definitely worth the small effort to get right here in our opinion.
We really 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 beautiful information named Esther. She informed us loads in regards to the historical past of the religion and of the Kampala temple. No providers had been occurring after we visited so we had been allowed to go inside, no speaking or pictures is allowed inside.
Because it’s discovered to the north of town heart it’s a good location to cease in case you are 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 most important 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 really began in 1972 in the course of the regime of Idi Amin, nevertheless the instability of the regime meant that development halted in 1976. It wasn’t till 2001 that development restarted, due to the assist of the Libyan chief Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The mosque lastly opened for worship in 2007 and was renamed the Uganda Nationwide Mosque in 2013 after the loss of life 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 really featured in a Season 31 episode of The Superb Race (2019), the place they needed to climb and depend all of the steps (272 of them!). In case you plan on climbing, simply be aware that you just 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 be aware that in Fridays and different holy days, you is probably not allowed to go inside the primary elements of the mosque. However you need to nonetheless be capable of go to the outside and climb the minaret.
There may be an entrance payment 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 absolutely architecturally spectacular, however for us the spotlight was going up the tower for the views throughout town.
As with every spiritual constructing it would be best to observe the gown code. All guests ought to gown modestly. Ladies 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 payment).
After we visited Jess felt a bit suffocated because it was scorching and he or she 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 sneakers on and off a number of occasions and he or she spent lots of time fumbling with the coverings and sneakers. 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 copy 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 had been a gaggle 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 loss of life of the Uganda martyrs had a serious affect on the political and spiritual panorama in Uganda. It resulted in widespread well-liked assist amongst the British public for buying Uganda as a protectorate, which occurred only a few 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 at this time 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 point of interest for the annual Martyrs Day Celebration. That is held on the third June, which is the Feast of the Uganda Martyrs. On this present day a whole lot of hundreds of individuals go to the shrine.
Pope Francis visited Uganda and the basilica in 2015. He celebrated Mass exterior the basilica at Namugongo November 28, 2015.
Nonetheless, you possibly can go to the shrine at any time of 12 months and discover the grounds and basilica throughout visiting hours. There was a small payment to go to for worldwide guests.
There may be 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 peaceable place and effectively value a go to.
Kampala Markets
Markets are an important place to get to know the native tradition and to additionally decide up some souvenirs out of your journey. Uganda has many markets, with two of the most important 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 skin space primarily sells recent produce, whereas the within space has extra of a give attention to issues like clothes, textiles and souvenirs.
Owino Market is the most important central market in Kampala and whereas it sells a little bit of every part, it’s notably identified for distributors promoting secondhand clothes, sneakers, and vogue equipment.
There are after all dozens of different smaller markets in Kampala, and every space or neighboorhood could have some form of market.
If you’re particularly on the lookout for souvenirs, then you definitely also needs to take into account a go to to Publicity Africa. Situated on Buganda highway, this market has over 30 stalls that includes arts and crafts that are typically made both in Uganda or Kenya. It has quite a lot of antiques, native crafts, artwork, and souvenirs.
We advocate visiting with a information to get probably the most of your go to to the markets. They’re giant, busy, and will be actually overwhelming for a first-time customer. An area information also can provide help to talk with stall house owners and be sure to get a good value.
Whereas we felt protected strolling round Kampala, thieves, pickpockets, and scammers will goal vacationers. You additionally wish to be very cautious of your valuables when contained in the markets. We advocate that you just depart any costly jewellery, cameras, and different gear at your resort.
Pictures is usually discouraged and chances are you’ll be requested to cease taking images or filming. All the time ask earlier than taking a photograph of an individual or their items. Our information requested permission of one of many market house owners to permit us to take some images from sure areas at Nakasero Market and even then we had been watched and requested solely to take images from a sure place.
Previous Taxi Park
The Previous Taxi Park is the oldest and largest transit terminal in Kampala. Right here you’ll see a whole lot of minibuses coming and moving into organized chaos.
That is under no circumstances a must-see place but it surely’s included in lots of strolling excursions as a cease, and it’s a good place to cease to study transportation in Kampala.
Ndere Cultural Middle
Certainly one of 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 by music, dance and drama”. They’ve now additionally unfold that message round Uganda with touring teams.
The principle expertise for guests in Kampala, which is what we’d advocate and did, is to go to for one of many night performances. These range however usually embrace a mixture of dance, theater, and music and sometimes even have the choice to have a buffet dinner in the course of the present.
These performances happen a number of occasions every week, and usually run from 7pm – 10pm. Exhibits are held exterior underneath 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 extremely enjoyable night with nice performers and a beautiful setting. The present tells the tales from the completely different Ugandan tribes with conventional dance. There’s additionally a wonderful and entertaining foremost 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 really helpful reserving a ticket for a efficiency right here if one is going on throughout your go to to Kampala. Its an important night out and supporting an excellent native group.
It’s straightforward sufficient to go to the Ndere Cultural Middle your self, or you possibly can ebook a tour which incorporates numerous sights in addition to the present and dinner like this one.
Nommo Artwork Gallery
In case you’re interested by 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 one in all 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.
After we visited the primary artwork exhibited was a black-and-white pictures exhibition about incapacity. There was additionally numerous different artwork on the market, largely work, but additionally statues, wooden carvings, paper artwork, and so on. 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 few 10-minute stroll from the gallery due to highway closures and safety checkpoints. The gallery is positioned close to the State Home which frequently results in elevated safety within the space. So we needed to go on foot by a few completely different safety checkpoints (a photograph ID was required) to achieve the artwork gallery (after which return).
Just lately, there was discuss of relocating the gallery to someplace that’s simpler for guests to achieve however no resolution has but been reached. Within the meantime, if you wish to go to make sure you be ready and take alongside an official photograph ID with you and put on snug sneakers.
Take a Meals Tour
We love exploring the native meals after we go to a rustic, and among the best methods we’ve discovered to try this is to take a meals tour. On one in all our visits to Kampala we took this three-hour meals tour.
This was a wonderful technique to strive a variety of Ugandan meals, and included Rolex, deep-fried grasshoppers, fritters, fried fish, recent fruit, sugar cane juice, and samosas from quite a lot of road distributors. It then completed with a full buffet at a restaurant specializing in Ugandan meals. One of the vital widespread meals eaten in Uganda is matooke (a boiled and mashed inexperienced bananas) so I’d make 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 information of Kampala. We had been fortunate sufficient to be the one individuals on the tour, so we received to talk with our tour information about all types of matters, from the political historical past of the nation, to his favourite meals, sports activities, and what it’s prefer to dwell in Kampala.
If you need an immersive native expertise and to strive lots of native produce and dishes, this meals tour is a wonderful technique to do exactly that. This offers you an important introduction to Ugandan meals.
Go to AFFCAD
Like many international locations around the globe, poverty is an actual difficulty in Uganda, particularly affecting kids. They usually have restricted entry to every part from clear water to training 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 Improvement. 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 residing circumstances tormented by floods and unsanitary circumstances.
We advocate watching the movie Queen of Katwe earlier than your go to to Uganda to get an concept of life within the slums in Uganda, in addition to study in regards to 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 individuals in Kampala’s poorest areas, together with the Bwaise neighborhood, by a spread of academic, healthcare, and financial packages. That is achieved by vocational coaching, colleges, and entry to healthcare.
AFFCAD additionally presents a slum consciousness tour to guests to Kampala, the place you possibly can study in regards to the challenges dealing with neighborhoods like Bwaise, and perceive what AFFCAD are doing to assist. We’ve got written previously about moral slum tourism so we undoubtedly advocate studying that earlier than reserving any slum excursions. Primarily based on our expertise, we really feel that visiting Bwaise with AFFCAD undoubtedly leads to general optimistic outcomes.
We took our strolling tour with Jaffar, one of many 4 founders of AFFCAD. We visited the assorted AFFCAD buildings the place they provide vocational coaching. It was not a “college” day, so it was a comparatively quiet day, however we noticed the assorted instruments used for instructing abilities 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 technique to finish the tour.
Our tour lasted about 2.5 hours and included transport from our resort in Kampala. We did it in 2023 and the price was $35 per particular person. 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 technique to get insights from a neighborhood about life on this a part of Kampala.
You will discover out extra about visiting AFFCAD at their web site right here. These excursions do have to be booked prematurely. The easiest way to prepare a tour is to e-mail them instantly, which you are able to do at information@affcad.org.
Ebook a Strolling Tour of Central Kampala
We are able to extremely advocate reserving a guided strolling tour for at the very least a few of your time in Kampala, particularly if you wish to navigate the native markets and monuments, or if you need another person to deal with transportation.
Kampala is usually a bit chaotic, particularly for a primary time customer, and letting another person cope with logistics and route planning will allow you to give attention to the sights. It may additionally provide help to navigate among the language boundaries and safety points that you could be come throughout.
We took this glorious strolling tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the high firm we will personally advocate 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 gaggle of younger native Ugandans eager to showcase one of the best of their nation, and we additionally took excursions with them in Entebbe and Jinja. Additionally 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 among the foremost highlights of central Kampala, and included sampling of a Rolex, visits to Nakasero Market, Owino Market, a Hindu temple, Parliament Sq., and the Previous Taxi Park, a neighborhood espresso on the 1000 Cups Cafe, and time at among the monuments in Kampala together with the Independence Monument. We additionally took the choice to go to the Uganda Nationwide Mosque.
Total, we will extremely advocate reserving a strolling tour of Kampala as a part of your go to to town. Ideally we advocate doing one thing like this firstly of your time in Uganda because it helps provide you with an excellent introduction and an opportunity to ask lots of questions.
Day Journeys and 2-Day Journeys from Kampala
Clearly, there’s much more to do in Kampala itself, however in case you are within the metropolis for a number of days (maybe 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 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 here 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 technique to see the sights of town in a day.
- Entebbe day journey – Most guests to Uganda will move by 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 a lot 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 far-off from the capital metropolis to make a day journey possible. Nonetheless, there’s a inhabitants of chimps on Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria. This tour consists of round-trip transport from Kampala with a boat-cruise, in addition to a guided chimpanzee trek, snacks, and lunch. Be aware that that is additionally one of the best place to see chimps in Uganda when you’ve got kids as all different websites have minimal age restrictions.
- See the shoebill storks at Mabamba Swamp. Certainly one of 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 areas in Uganda. The boat tour additionally consists of the chance to see many different birds, however the shoebill stork is the spotlight.
- A day journey to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is at the moment the one place to see rhino in Uganda. Contains round-trip transfers and admission to the park. We’ve visited Ziwa twice and have all the time seen rhino, a extra outstanding expertise since you really trek and discover the rhino on foot. Additionally, you will seemingly see lots of birds and different wildlife as effectively right here. Extremely really helpful.
- In case you actually wish to go on safari in Uganda however don’t have lots 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 method, however you’ll nonetheless have time to see the spectacular Murchison Falls, take a ship experience, 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 targeted excursions from Kampala, together with excursions which function chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You may see among the finest choices on GetYourGuide right here and Viator right here.
There are after all many extra choices for journeys from Kampala, particularly when you’ve got extra time. You may see a vary of choices right here. The one factor we’d all the time advocate is to test driving distances. Uganda is pretty giant, and also you don’t wish to spend all of your time simply sitting in a automobile 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 effectively linked to the remainder of the nation by highway. The principle airport in Uganda is in close by Entebbe, with an categorical freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automotive. Be aware this can be a toll highway, however the payment is effectively value paying because the previous Entebbe-Kampala highway can take over 2 hours to traverse attributable to visitors.
If you’re arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your resort may be capable of organize an airport switch for you. You can too ebook this your self utilizing a service like this.
There may be additionally a shared shuttle bus service from Entebbe to Kampala and Jinja generally known as the Pineapple Specific. This presents an inexpensive scheduled service from numerous Entebbe areas 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 methods of getting round Kampala. The town and its sights are fairly unfold out, so while you possibly can stroll to see some sights, it’s seemingly you will want some type of transport throughout your go to.
There are a variety of choices, together with bike taxis (boda boda), minivan taxis (matatu), experience sharing apps like Protected Boda and Uber, in addition to personal drivers and tour firms. You possibly can additionally hire a automotive and drive your self, though given the visitors and among the highway conditons we’d in all probability advise in opposition to that.
As a global traveler, your two foremost choices for fast journey are to both use a automotive (both a non-public taxi or through experience sharing app) or to get a boda boda. The boda boda is certainly the quickest and least expensive choice of the 2 and if it’s essential get someplace fast, these are sometimes the one choice. They are often hailed from nearly any road. However we caught to automobiles as a result of there was the 2 of us and we felt extra protected in automobiles.
For almost all of our Kampala sightseeing we used a ride-sharing app (Uber) to get across the metropolis. This made issues straightforward as we may pay through the app. Nonetheless, we did have points with drivers not likely figuring out the way to use the app appropriately or nonetheless asking us to pay in money (we might refuse and nonetheless pay through app). So simply know many drivers are new to Uber so there can nonetheless be points.
One other well-liked choice is SafeBoda, which lets you specify if you need a automotive or a boda boda (motorcycle). In case you do wish to take motorcycle taxis, we do advocate reserving by them as you possibly can pay through the app they usually embrace a helmet and security vest.
For among the sights we visited they had been shut sufficient to our resort that we visited them on foot. So strolling is an choice, simply make sure you put on snug sneakers you don’t thoughts getting soiled (our sneakers received a pleasant layer of reddish brown mud from our walks).
On one in all our later visits to Kampala we walked out loads, sufficient in order that the native safety individuals within the space would say hi there to us and ultimately 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 an excellent choice for some individuals as you’ll seemingly draw consideration. We solely walked throughout sunlight hours, and wouldn’t advocate strolling by yourself after darkish.
After all, in case you are doing a tour that features transportation in Kampala (or a part of a a lot greater Uganda tour), then that can also be a well-liked method 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 straightforward.
If you’re visiting by yourself (with no tour information), simply know it’s not that arduous to get round Kampala by yourself. You probably have any questions or need assistance getting a taxi or boda boda, your resort can simply provide help to organize this.
The place to Keep in Kampala
There’s a variety of accommodations to remain at in Kampala, throughout varied value factors. Listed here are some choices to contemplate, together with the accommodations we’ve stayed at throughout our time within the metropolis.
- Bushpig Backpackers – should you’re on the lookout for a hostel in Kampala (or only a price range pleasant lodging choice), then this is a wonderful alternative. Each personal rooms and shared dormitory rooms can be found, and it’s only a quick 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 without doubt one of the newer and extra fashionable accommodations in Kampala. There’s free WiFi, snug air-conditioned rooms, a pool, an on-site restaurant, and glorious buffet breakfast.
- Humura Resorts – we stayed on this pretty enjoyable boutique resort 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 numerous Serena properties and all the time had an excellent keep, so we’re comfortable to advocate this 4* resort. That includes a big swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms, and on-site eating places, this resort would make an important base for exploring town
- Sheraton Kampala – This 5-star Sheraton resort is one other luxurious choice discovered within the metropolis heart proper subsequent to the Independence Monument. It has a pool, numerous eating places, snug air-conditioned rooms, a health heart, a sauna, and a magnificence salon.
After all there are a lot of extra choices throughout Kampala, you possibly can see an entire vary of properties at various value factors on reserving.com right here.
Security in Kampala
Lots of people ask is Kampala protected? That is unattainable to essentially completely reply however it’s safer than many different African cities but it surely 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 overseas guests on our 4 visits to town. However you do must take regular precautions for touring in a big metropolis.
The principle dangers most vacationers will face in Kampala will likely be pickpockets and thieves. Understand that a $1,000 digicam or smartphone could also be regular to you however might imply a complete lot to somebody residing on a number of {dollars} a day. So, it would be best to be vigilant along with your valuables and carry a minimal sum of money on you.
The chance will seemingly be increased in busier areas like crowded markets, or on a public bus. Holding any valuables like costly jewellery, watches, smartphones, or cameras out of sight is a smart concept. In case you don’t want them, I’d preserve them within the resort. You’ll in all probability discover in among the images that at the same time as a photographer I left my large digicam at residence most days and simply carried a little bit compact digicam with a thick neck strap.
A cash belt, resembling this Eagle Creek one (which is the one we personal), is an efficient technique to retailer cash, bank cards, resort key, passports, and so on. 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 case you select to put on a backpack, be certain the closures/zippers will be secured.
Having a information or becoming a member of a tour will assist scale back your threat; nevertheless, be aware you continue to have to be vigilant even with a information as they will’t all the time be watching you and your valuables.
In case you select to hire a automotive (not really helpful for most individuals), keep away from leaving valuables in your automotive and park it in a safe spot at evening.
As with wherever on this planet, the danger will increase at evening, and it’s typically finest to keep away from strolling alone at evening in most areas. Taking a ride-share as a part of a gaggle, or simply touring with a non-public information, is probably going going to be safer.
A particular consideration for journey to Uganda needs 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 threat for fines, violence, harassment, imprisonment, and might even face the loss of life penalty.
Language in Kampala
The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; nevertheless, there are lots of native languages spoken in Uganda.
Probably the most broadly spoken language within the space is Luganda. Luganda is the language of the Baganda individuals (Kampala is a part of the Buganda area, the most important of the standard kingdoms in Uganda).
Though Swahili has been made an official language, we hardly ever heard locals talking it except chatting with guests from different East African nations. Some informed us they like to not converse the language because it reminds them of the time of Amin and navy violence. Nonetheless, 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 effectively with English as most individuals within the tourism trade right here converse at the very least some English. At sights and museums, the data is usually written in English.
In case you don’t converse English, Swahili, or a neighborhood language resembling Luganda, you need to take into account hiring a information or translator to get probably the most of your time in Kampala. Or at the very least carry an excellent written guidebook with you.
Foreign money in Kampala
The principle foreign money in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling, or UGX. That is accepted in every single place.
The US greenback can also be typically accepted, however you ought to be conscious that they have to be latest payments in excellent form. Any form of marking or harm to the invoice means it’s unlikely to be accepted attributable to a concern of the financial institution not accepting it. We had this occur numerous 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 accommodations and bigger eating places, however this isn’t common, so it’s finest to all the time carry some foreign money with you.
Well being in Kampala
As with many international locations around the globe, it would be best to take some precautions to make sure you keep wholesome as a customer to Uganda.
Earlier than you go to it would be best 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 seemingly embrace anti-malarial remedy.
You may get malaria in Kampala though the danger is decrease than in most different elements of Uganda. Be aware that along with malaria, mosquitoes can carry and transmit numerous different ailments so prevention is essential (insect repellent, sporting lengthy sleeves and pants, and so on.)
We additionally extremely advocate 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 proposals to vacationers right here, and from the UK authorities right here.
Studying the well being warnings issued by governments is usually 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 more likely to come into contact with them as a vacationer. However you need to nonetheless be educated and take obligatory precautions.
The principle well being difficulty most travellers are more likely to face goes to be an upset abdomen. This may be attributable to quite a lot of issues, however is most frequently attributable to consuming or ingesting one thing with contaminated water.
In the case of water, it would be best to follow filtered, handled, or bottled water. You’ll additionally wish to keep away from recent salads, raw greens and fruits (except you possibly can peel it), unpasteurized milk, cooked meals that aren’t served scorching, and so on. except they’re from a good and licensed meals vendor (resembling your resort restaurant).
In case you’d want to keep away from shopping for bottled water in Kampala, you possibly can learn this text on protected ingesting water when touring for methods 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 doable. 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 (most certainly from consuming recent greens on a sandwich), we extremely advocate being cautious and following the really helpful tips. 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 numerous strolling excursions in Kampala they usually had been all glorious, with pleasant, educated guides who helped us actually perceive what we had been seeing. Listed here are some excursions we advocate.
- This meals tour, which incorporates a variety of tasty meals, from road meals classics by to a sit-down buffet meal. We’ve taken this tour.
- This strolling tour, which incorporates most of the highlights of Kampala that we point out on this information. We’ve taken this tour as effectively.
- That is one other tour of Kampala, which additionally visits numerous highlights within the metropolis. We haven’t personally taken this one however it’s extremely reviewed.
Getting On-line in Uganda
You’ve gotten a number of choices for getting on-line if you go to Uganda. First, many locations together with nearly all of accommodations have free WiFi, so it is possible for you to to attach a smartphone, pill, or laptop computer to WiFi. There may be additionally usually free WiFi at espresso outlets and eating places, particularly these catering to vacationers.
Nonetheless, you might be seemingly additionally going to wish 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 meaning you’ll want a SIM card with information connectivty. We’ve got 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 effectively for us and was an excellent value. It additionally had the benefit that as we had been visiting a number of completely different East African international locations we had been capable of buy a roaming information bundle which coated us in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania as effectively.
An alternative choice can be to make use of an eSIM service in case your telephone 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 costlier 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 ideas and recommendation.
Energy Retailers / Journey Adapters for Uganda
Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Sort G plug), as one can find within the UK and numerous different international locations in East Africa. If you’re coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your tools will likely be tremendous and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.
If you’re visiting from a special nation, resembling 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 elements of the Americas, together with Canada and the USA, the place 110v is the norm. If you’re travelling from one in all these international locations, you will want to test in case your tools helps the upper voltage. It needs to be written on the plug.
Typically, decrease powered gadgets like cameras, laptops, and telephone chargers assist 110v – 240v, while increased energy gadgets like hairdryers don’t. See our information to journey adapters for extra on this matter.
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 predict you may discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.
- We’ve got an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that can assist you plan extra of your journey.
- We’ve got an in depth information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda. These are each well-liked actions for guests to Uganda and effectively value doing in our opinion
- We’ve got a information to picking the finest safari digicam, and a information to getting higher images on safari, so you possibly can make sure you get nice recollections of your journey.
- We even have an in depth safari packing record that can assist you determine what to carry with you
- If you’re planning on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our steered 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for town
- We’ve got 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 best one for Uganda
- In case you’d like a journey information, take into account the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is mostly considered the best choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and might extremely advocate this ebook because it has every part from the historical past of the nation and it’s individuals, by to packing ideas, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally consists of detailed data on chimp and gorilla trekking.
- Ebook 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 lots of what you see on a go to to any east African nation.
And that’s it! As all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful. You probably have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
