Issues to do in Kampala, Uganda

We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Uganda plenty of 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 all the time 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 numerous issues to do in Kampala, together with cultural sights, museums, markets, and extra.

We’ve already written about things to do in Entebbe, which is the city closest to the worldwide airport. That’s discovered on the shores of Lake Victoria and can be value visiting. Nevertheless, we expect no go to to Uganda is full with out spending slightly 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 non secular gatherings. It additionally has plenty of 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 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 the 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 individuals to take the time to cease and provides the 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 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 secure 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 couple 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 as we speak was comprised of a sequence of smaller kingdoms.

The most important of those kingdoms was the Buganda kingdom, house to the Baganda individuals. The Baganda are dominated over by Kings, often called the Kabaka, in a practice that dates to the early fourteenth century, and which continues to this present day.

The Kabaka are clearly crucial to the Baganda individuals, a reality 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 site 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 also known as 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 similar to wood poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle.

Additionally on website 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 plenty of historically constructed properties the place the widows of the previous Kings stay and have a tendency the graves.

The Kasubi tombs had been truly virtually fully destroyed by fireplace in 2010, nevertheless a serious renovation mission was launched they usually reopened in 2025. We visited as they had been within the means of rebuilding and there was plenty of craftsman from varied components 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 vital non secular website 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 may be an entry charge to go to, payable on website. You may be accompanied by an on-site information to your go to. It will also 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 fascinated by 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 virtually 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 set of royal artifacts.

Word 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 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 house 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 placement affords 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 remains to be used for official visits and ceremonies The primary place of job for the Kabaka is on the Bulange which is related by a straight highway often called the Kabaka Anjagala or “Royal Mile”.

So the go to takes place primarily outdoor. Visits are guided, you principally flip up on the entry gate. pay the entry charge, and a information shall be allotted to you.

Once we visited we had a superb English-speaking information named Fred who confirmed us across the grounds and defined numerous the historical past of Uganda. In addition to being house to the spectacular palace constructing, the grounds are additionally house 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 is still of those 1000’s of misplaced lives.

In addition to the above, the tour consists of different attention-grabbing info on Ugandan historical past. Our information was additionally educated concerning the timber, fruits, and vegetation we noticed alongside the stroll.

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

General, a go to to the Kabaka’s Palace grounds is an efficient solution 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 may be after all a charge to go to. You’ll be able to go to your self, as we did, or as half of a bigger day tour. Nearly all of excursions of Kampala will embody Kabaka’s Palace, similar to this one or this one.

 

Uganda Museum

Based in 1908, the Uganda Museum is without doubt one of the greatest 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 quite a lot of reveals, protecting the historical past and tradition of the Ugandan individuals, with objects together with musical devices, weapons of warfare, barkcloth work, conventional medical provides, garments, and much 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.

Exterior, you’ll discover the cultural village, which contains a vary of various conventional buildings and gadgets 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 gadgets utilized by the completely different tribes throughout Uganda.

The museum just isn’t enormous, and might undoubtedly be visited in 2 to three hours. There may be an admission charge. You’ll be able to go to by yourself or you will get a information for those who favor a guided go to. You’ll be able to see extra about opening occasions and what you possibly can see on the official museum website.

Word: the Uganda Museum closed for renovations in August 2024 and is because of reopen in mid-2025. Examine the official website 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 youngster 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 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’s also typically included on excursions similar to this one and this city-centre walking tour. We visited it as a part of this guided walking tour.

 

Different Historic Monument and Statues in Kampala

Along with the Independence Monument, there are additionally plenty of different monuments and statues which you can see round Kampala. These embody:

• World Warfare 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 exhibits 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 situated on the intersection of Speke Highway and Nile Avenue, however attributable to highway works it has been moved to take a seat between the Serena Resort and Imperial Royale Resort
• The Cenetary Monument – Commemorating the centenary of the Kampala Metropolis Council, this monument symbolizes the id of the 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 contains a household shifting ahead collectively, symbolizing the unity of the Commonwealth. Discovered between the Parliamentary Gardens and the Kampala Serena Resort
• Lengthy Break up Drum Statue – The statue is of a tall drum or engalabi, a conventional lengthy, cylindrical drum lined with pores and skin. It’s situated on the Nantawete roundabout alongside the Kabaka Anjagala, or highway between the Kabaka’s Palace and the Bulange.
• Wildlife Statues – You’ll discover plenty of wildlife statues alongside the roads in central Kampala, notably Previous Kira Highway. Statues embody a lion, gorillas, cranes, giraffes, impala and plenty of different native wildlife species

Word that there’s typically safety round public memorials and monuments and round authorities buildings in Uganda. So you might be requested why you might be there and requested to not take pictures. For instance, we had been stopped on the warfare 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 following 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 attention-grabbing 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 constructions (courting from 1890) all having been deserted or destroyed for various reasons.

The current-day church is a formidable massive pink 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 the town’s central enterprise district. As with a lot of the hills within the space, the hilltop location affords wonderful views of the encircling metropolis.

Word 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 after all a working church so visits will not be all the time allowed if worship providers 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 the town heart. This commanding hilltop location affords 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 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 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 after all a working church so visits will not be all the time allowed if worship providers or different occasions are going down.

 

Baha’i Home of Worship

The Baha’i religion is without doubt one of the smaller and newer faiths in Uganda, nevertheless it’s foremost home of worship and placement remains to be nonetheless value a go to. Discovered on Kikaya Hill on the perimeters of the 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 plenty of different buildings. It has a shocking location.

Actually, 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, exhibiting 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 slightly 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’ll be able to 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 instructed us so much concerning the historical past of the religion and of the Kampala temple. No providers had been taking place 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 the town heart it’s a good location to cease if you’re heading north out of the town, maybe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or additional north to Murchison Nationwide Park.

 

Uganda Nationwide Mosque

The Uganda Nationwide Mosque, beforehand often called 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!

Building of the mosque truly began in 1972 in the course of the regime of Idi Amin, nevertheless the instability of the regime meant that building halted in 1976. It wasn’t till 2001 that building restarted, because of the assist 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 demise 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 the 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 case you plan on climbing, simply word 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 word that in Fridays and different holy days, you is probably not allowed to go inside the principle components of the mosque. However you need to nonetheless have the ability to go to the outside and climb the minaret.

There may be an entrance charge to go to as a foreigner. We visited as a part of this guided walking 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 the town.

As with every spiritual constructing it would be best to observe the gown code. All guests ought to gown modestly. Girls ought to put on free becoming garments protecting 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 sizzling 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 laws on the time). We additionally needed to take our footwear on and off a couple of occasions and she or he spent numerous time fumbling with the coverings and footwear. General she loved it however it’s one thing to bear in mind.

 

Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Basilica

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

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

The Uganda Martyrs 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 Court docket who had adopted Christianity towards 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 demise of the Uganda martyrs had a serious impression on the political and non secular panorama in Uganda. It resulted in widespread standard assist 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 as we speak 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 lots of of 1000’s 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.

Nevertheless, 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 charge to go to for worldwide guests.

There may be the bascilica, slightly 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 effectively value a go to.

 

Kampala Markets

Markets are an excellent 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 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 out of doors. 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 notably identified for distributors promoting secondhand clothes, footwear, and style equipment.

There are after all dozens of different smaller markets in Kampala, and every space or neighboorhood could have some form of market.

In case you are particularly searching for souvenirs, you then also needs to take into account a go to to Exposure 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 essentially 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 assist you talk with stall house owners and ensure you get a good worth.

Whereas we felt secure 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 advocate that you just depart any costly jewellery, cameras, and different gear at your lodge.

Pictures is commonly discouraged and you might be requested to cease taking pictures 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 pictures from sure areas at Nakasero Market and even then we had been watched and requested solely to take pictures 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 lots of of minibuses coming and getting into organized chaos.

That is certainly not a must-see place nevertheless it’s included in numerous strolling excursions as a cease, and it’s a good place to cease to find out about transportation in Kampala.

 

Ndere Cultural Heart

Certainly one of our favourite actions in Kampala was our go to to the Ndere Cultural Center. 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 advocate and did, is to go to for one of many night performances. These fluctuate however usually embody 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 couple of occasions every week, and usually run from 7pm – 10pm. Exhibits are held exterior beneath 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 superb 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 advisable reserving a ticket for a efficiency right here if one is occurring throughout your go to to Kampala. Its an excellent night out and supporting a great native group.

It’s straightforward sufficient to go to the Ndere Cultural Heart your self, or you possibly can e-book a tour which incorporates plenty of sights in addition to the present and dinner like this one.

 

Nommo Artwork Gallery

In case you’re fascinated 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 certainly one of few in Uganda.

The Nommo Gallery was established by the Uganda Nationwide Cultural Heart in 1964, and will be discovered within the coronary heart of the town close to to State Lodge. It serves as Uganda’s Nationwide Artwork Gallery.

Once we visited the principle artwork exhibited was a black-and-white pictures exhibition about incapacity. There was additionally plenty of different artwork on the market, largely work, but in addition statues, wooden carvings, paper artwork, and so on. made by native artists.

Word 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 highway closures and safety checkpoints. The gallery is situated close to the State Home which frequently 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).

Just lately, there was talk 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 comfy footwear.

 

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 do this is to take a meals tour. On certainly one of our visits to Kampala we took this three-hour food tour.

This was a superb solution to strive a variety of Ugandan meals, and included Rolex, deep-fried grasshoppers, fritters, fried fish, contemporary fruit, sugar cane juice, and samosas from quite a lot of avenue distributors. It then completed with a full buffet at a restaurant specializing in Ugandan meals. Some of the 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 individuals on the tour, so we obtained to speak with our tour information about all kinds of matters, from the political historical past of the nation, to his favourite meals, sports activities, and what it’s wish to stay in Kampala.

If you need an immersive native expertise and to strive numerous native produce and dishes, this meals tour is a wonderful solution to do exactly that. This will provide you with an excellent introduction to Ugandan meals.

 

 

Go to AFFCAD

Like many international locations around the globe, poverty is an actual concern in Uganda, particularly affecting kids. They typically have restricted entry to all the pieces from clear water to schooling to healthcare, which doesn’t end in constructive 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 a scarcity of city planning, fast inhabitants development, and a location on a former wetland, which all conspire to create residing circumstances suffering from 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 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 accessible to the individuals in Kampala’s poorest areas, together with the Bwaise neighborhood, via a spread of academic, healthcare, and financial applications. That is achieved via vocational coaching, colleges, and entry to healthcare.

AFFCAD additionally affords a slum consciousness tour to guests to Kampala, the place you possibly can be taught concerning the challenges going through neighborhoods like Bwaise, and perceive what AFFCAD are doing to assist. We now have written prior to now about ethical 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 constructive 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 “college” day, so it was a comparatively quiet day, however we noticed the varied instruments used for educating 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 principally beans and chapati, and is scrumptious. A pleasant solution 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 price was $35 per particular person. We paid in money at the beginning 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 solution to get insights from a neighborhood about life on this a part of Kampala.

You’ll find out extra about visiting AFFCAD at their website here. These excursions do have to be booked upfront. The easiest way to prepare a tour is to e-mail them straight, which you are able to do at information@affcad.org.

 

E book 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 in order for you another person to deal with transportation.

Kampala is usually 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 assist you navigate a number of the language boundaries and safety points that you could be come throughout.

We took this excellent walking tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the prime firm we will personally advocate for strolling excursions as we’ve 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 one of the best of their nation, and we additionally took excursions with them in Entebbe and Jinja. In addition they ran the food walking tour we did in Kampala. You’ll be able to see more of their tours here.

The tour we did with Arthur lined a number of 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 a number of the monuments in Kampala together with the Independence Monument. We additionally took the choice to go to the Uganda Nationwide Mosque.

General, we will extremely advocate reserving a strolling tour of Kampala as a part of your go to to the town. Ideally we advocate doing one thing like this at the start of your time in Uganda because it helps provide you with a great introduction and an opportunity to ask numerous 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 couple 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 performed as a part of a day tour. Listed below are some to think about:

• A day trip to Jinja and the source 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 solution to see the sights of the town in a day.
• Entebbe day journey – Most guests to Uganda will cross via Entebbe as that is the place the worldwide airport is situated. 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 Things to do in Entebbe for some concepts.
• Visit 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. Nevertheless, 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. Word that’s can be 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 couple of places in Uganda. The boat tour additionally consists of the chance to see many different birds, however the shoebill stork is the spotlight.
• A day trip 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 gotten to see rhino, a extra outstanding expertise since you truly trek and discover the rhino on foot. Additionally, you will seemingly see numerous birds and different wildlife as effectively right here. Extremely advisable.
• In case you actually need to go on safari in Uganda however don’t have numerous time to spare, then take into account this 2-day overnight trip to Murchison Falls. It’s round a 4 hour drive every manner, however you’ll nonetheless have time to see the spectacular Murchison Falls, take a ship trip, 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 Uganda, together with excursions which function chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You’ll be able to see a number of the greatest choices on GetYourGuide here and Viator here.

There are after all many extra choices for journeys from Kampala, particularly when you’ve got extra time. You’ll be able to see a range of options here. The one factor we’d all the time advocate 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 automobile getting from  Level A to B.

 

Practicalities for Visiting Kampala

How you can Get to Kampala

As the principle metropolis in Uganda, Kampala is effectively related to the remainder of the nation by highway. The primary 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. Word this can be a toll highway, however the charge is effectively value paying because the outdated Entebbe-Kampala highway can take over 2 hours to traverse attributable to visitors.

In case you are arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your lodge may have the ability to prepare an airport switch for you. You may as well e-book this your self utilizing a service like this.

There may be additionally a shared shuttle bus service from Entebbe to Kampala and Jinja often called the Pineapple Specific. This affords an reasonably priced scheduled service from plenty of Entebbe places together with the airport, and you may e-book this on-line here.

 

How you can Get Round Kampala

There are a selection 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 seemingly you’ll need some type of transport throughout your go to.

There are a selection of choices, together with bike taxis (boda boda), minivan taxis (matatu), trip sharing apps like Protected Boda and Uber, in addition to personal drivers and tour firms. You could possibly additionally lease a automotive and drive your self, though given the visitors and a number of the highway conditons we’d most likely advise towards that.

As a world traveler, your two foremost choices for fast journey are to both use a automotive (both a non-public taxi or through trip 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 to get someplace fast, these are sometimes the one choice. They are often hailed from virtually any avenue. However we caught to vehicles as a result of there was the 2 of us and we felt extra secure in vehicles.

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 might pay through the app. Nevertheless, we did have points with drivers probably not realizing tips on how to use the app accurately 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 standard choice is SafeBoda, which lets you specify in order for you a automotive or a boda boda (motorcycle). In case you do need to take motorcycle taxis, we do advocate reserving via them as you possibly can pay through the app they usually embody 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 choice, simply be sure you put on comfy footwear you don’t thoughts getting soiled (our footwear obtained a pleasant layer of reddish brown mud from our walks).

On certainly one of our later visits to Kampala we walked out so much, sufficient in order that the native safety individuals within the space would say whats up to us and ultimately stopped asking if we needed them to name us a taxi. Whereas we felt secure wandering round on foot, it might not really feel comfy or be a great choice for some individuals as you’ll seemingly draw consideration. We solely walked throughout daytime, and wouldn’t advocate strolling by yourself after darkish.

After all, if you’re doing a tour that features transportation in Kampala (or a part of a a lot greater Uganda tour), then that can be a preferred manner 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.

In case you are visiting by yourself (with out a tour information), simply know it’s not that onerous to get round Kampala by yourself. When you have any questions or need assistance getting a taxi or boda boda, your lodge can simply assist you prepare this.

 

The place to Keep in Kampala

There’s a variety of inns to remain at in Kampala, throughout varied worth factors. Listed below are some choices to think about, together with the inns we’ve stayed at throughout our time within the metropolis.

• Bushpig Backpackers – for those who’re searching for a hostel in Kampala (or only a price range pleasant lodging choice), then this is a wonderful selection. 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 Hotel 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 inns in Kampala. There’s free WiFi, comfy 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 comfy and supply air-conditioning, and there’s an on-site restaurant and pool. It’s a really peaceable place that gives an oasis of calm away from the bustle of the town.
• Kampala Serena – we’ve stayed in plenty of Serena properties and all the time had a great keep, so we’re joyful to advocate 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 the town
• Sheraton Kampala – This 5-star Sheraton lodge is one other luxurious choice discovered within the metropolis heart proper subsequent to the Independence Monument. It has a pool, plenty of eating places, comfy air-conditioned rooms, a health heart, a sauna, and a magnificence salon.

After all there are various extra choices throughout Kampala, you possibly can see a whole vary of properties at various worth factors on booking.com here.

 

Security in Kampala

Lots of people ask is Kampala secure? That is not possible to actually completely reply however it’s safer than many different African cities nevertheless it does have its share of violent crimes, petty crimes, dangers of terrorism, and well being threats.

That stated, we’ve personally felt fairly secure in Kampala as international guests on our 4 visits to the town. However you do must take regular precautions for touring in a big metropolis.

The primary dangers most vacationers will face in Kampala shall be pickpockets and thieves. Understand that a $1,000 digicam or smartphone could also be regular to you however could imply an entire lot to somebody residing on a couple of {dollars} a day. So, it would be best to be vigilant together with your valuables and carry a minimal sum of money on you.

The chance will seemingly be larger 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 clever concept. In case you don’t want them, I’d preserve them within the lodge. You’ll most likely discover in a number of the pictures that at the same time as a photographer I left my huge digicam at house most days and simply carried slightly compact digicam with a thick neck strap.

A cash belt, similar to this Eagle Creek one (which is the one we personal), is an efficient solution to retailer cash, bank cards, lodge key, passports, and so on. It would be best 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, ensure that the closures/zippers will be secured.

Having a information or becoming a member of a tour will assist scale back your danger; nevertheless, word you continue to have to be vigilant even with a information as they’ll’t all the time be watching you and your valuables.

In case you select to lease a automotive (not advisable for most individuals), keep away from leaving valuables in your automotive and park it in a safe spot at evening.

As with wherever on the earth, the chance will increase at evening, and it’s typically greatest to keep away from strolling alone at evening in most areas. Taking a ride-share as a part of a bunch, or simply touring with a non-public information, is probably going going to be safer.

A particular consideration for journey to Uganda must be made for LGBTQ+ vacationers after the passing of the Could 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act. Based on 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 demise penalty.

 

Language in Kampala

The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; nevertheless, there are numerous native languages spoken in Uganda.

Essentially 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 biggest of the standard kingdoms in Uganda).

Though Swahili has been made an official language, we not often heard locals talking it until talking to guests from different East African nations. Some instructed us they like to not communicate the language because it reminds them of the time of Amin and navy 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 effectively with English as most individuals within the tourism trade right here communicate at the very least some English. At points of interest and museums, the knowledge is commonly written in English.

In case you don’t communicate English, Swahili, or a neighborhood language similar to Luganda, you need to take into account hiring a information or translator to get essentially the most of your time in Kampala. Or at the very least deliver 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 in all places.

The US greenback can be typically accepted, however you have to be conscious that they have to be current payments in superb form. Any form of marking or injury 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 plenty of 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 inns and bigger eating places, however this isn’t common, so it’s greatest 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 focus on any present suggestions for journey to Uganda, which is able to seemingly embody anti-malarial medicine.

You may get malaria in Kampala though the chance is decrease than in most different components of Uganda. Word that along with malaria, mosquitoes can carry and transmit plenty of different illnesses 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’ll be able to see the U.S. CDC journey well being info and proposals to vacationers here, and from the UK authorities 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 primary well being concern 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 consuming one thing with contaminated water.

With regards to water, it would be best 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 sizzling, and so on. until you realize they’re from a good and licensed meals vendor (similar to your lodge restaurant).

In case you’d favor to keep away from shopping for bottled water in Kampala, you possibly can learn this text on safe drinking water when traveling for methods which you can deal with water when touring. We used a Grayl water filter bottle for filtering faucet water for consuming, 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 greatest to attempt to eat at respected institutions the place attainable. If you wish to be extra adventurous, a good suggestion is to take a food tour like this one that we did, the place the tour information will steer you in direction of secure dishes and take you to locations which have good hygiene requirements.

As individuals who have been sick in Uganda (most certainly from consuming contemporary greens on a sandwich), we extremely recommending being cautious and following the advisable pointers. We had been in Uganda for a couple 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 selection of excursions of Kampala which you can take, which is able to give you a secure, guided expertise in Uganda’s capital metropolis. We’ve taken plenty of strolling excursions in Kampala they usually had been all wonderful, with pleasant, educated guides who helped us actually perceive what we had been seeing. Listed below are some excursions we advocate.

• This food tour, which incorporates a variety of tasty meals, from avenue meals classics via to a sit-down buffet meal. We’ve taken this tour.
• This walking tour, which incorporates lots of the highlights of Kampala that we point out on this information. We’ve taken this tour as effectively.
• This is another tour of Kampala, which additionally visits plenty of highlights within the metropolis. We haven’t personally taken this one however it’s extremely reviewed.

 

Getting On-line in Uganda

You have got a couple of choices for getting on-line if you go to Uganda. First, many locations together with nearly all of inns have free WiFi, so it is possible for you to to attach a smartphone, pill, or laptop computer to WiFi. There may be additionally typically free WiFi at espresso outlets and eating places, particularly these catering to vacationers.

Nevertheless, you might be seemingly 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 meaning you’ll want a SIM card with knowledge connectivty. We now have used Airtel, and we purchased a SIM card from the Airtel kiosk on the arrivals corridor within the airport. There are a couple of completely different carriers, however Airtel labored effectively for us and was a great worth. It additionally had the benefit that as we had been visiting a couple of completely different East African international locations we had been in a position to buy a roaming knowledge bundle which lined us in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania as effectively.

Another choice can be to make use of an eSIM service in case your telephone helps it. We’ve used Airalo in Uganda. We frequently use Airalo after we journey (see our full Airalo review 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 means of registering it.

If you need extra recommendation on web entry when touring, see our information to getting online when traveling for some ideas and recommendation.

 

Energy Shops / Journey Adapters for Uganda

Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Sort G plug), as you’ll discover within the UK and plenty of different international locations in East Africa. In case you are coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your tools shall be superb and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.

In case you are visiting from a unique nation, similar to from the USA, Canada, or most of Europe, then you’ll need a journey adaptor like this.

Moreover, Uganda makes use of a 220v-240v system. That is just like a lot of the world aside from 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 international locations, you’ll need to verify in case your tools helps the upper voltage. It must be written on the plug.

Typically, decrease powered gadgets like cameras, laptops, and telephone chargers assist 110v – 240v, while larger energy gadgets like hairdryers don’t. See our guide to travel 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 expect you may discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.

• We now have an in depth information to things to do in Entebbe, that can assist you plan extra of your journey.
• We now have an in depth information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda. These are each standard actions for guests to Uganda and effectively value doing in our opinion
• We now have a information to selecting the best safari camera, and a information to getting better photos on safari, so you possibly can make sure you get nice reminiscences of your journey.
• We even have an in depth safari packing list that can assist you determine what to deliver with you
• In case you are planning on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to things to do in Nairobi and our advised 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has numerous concepts for the town
• We now have a information to getting online when travelling, that can assist you keep related in Uganda
• You’re going to wish to energy all of your gadgets if you journey – see our information to the best travel adapters so you possibly can select the appropriate one for Uganda
• In case you’d like a journey information, take into account the Uganda Bradt Travel Guide, which is usually considered the best choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and might extremely advocate this e-book because it has all the pieces from the historical past of the nation and it’s individuals, via to packing ideas, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally consists of detailed info on chimp and gorilla trekking.
• E book clever, we additionally pack and journey with each the Pocket Guide: Birds of East Africa and the Pocket Guide to the Mammals of East Africa. These are each very conveniently sized and can allow you to establish numerous 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. When you 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.