Issues to do in Kampala, Uganda

We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Uganda various instances and had some superb experiences together with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking. Nonetheless, there may be tons extra 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 biggest metropolis in Uganda, and also you’ll discover plenty 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 price visiting. Nonetheless, we expect no go to to Uganda is full with out spending somewhat little bit of time in Kampala.

Sure, it’s chaotic, crowded, and the site 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, purchasing, and spiritual gatherings. It additionally has various 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, if in case you have the time, we suggest at the 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 instances, most instances 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 may 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 frame, we hope this information evokes you to see as a lot as you possibly can.

We’ll additionally share some recommendations on issues like getting round in addition to staying 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. You must be capable 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 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, often called the Kabaka, in a convention that dates to the early fourteenth century, and which continues to at the present time.

The Kabaka are clearly essential to the Baganda 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 web site in Uganda. It’s additionally the one UNESCO world heritage web site in Kampala and stays an vital non secular place for the Baganda.

The positioning, which takes up 64 acres of land, dates from 1882. The first attraction is the large 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 resembling wood poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle.

Additionally on web site are a gatehouse, a drum home, and cemeteries the place the youngsters, wives, and different kin of the kings are buried. The world additionally has various historically constructed properties the place the widows of the previous Kings dwell and have a tendency the graves.

The Kasubi tombs have been truly virtually totally destroyed by hearth in 2010, nevertheless a serious renovation venture was launched and so they reopened in 2025. We visited as they have been within the means of rebuilding and there was various craftsman from varied components of Uganda working.

We actually loved our go to to the Kasubi tombs and might extremely suggest inserting this in your to-do checklist in Kampala. This is a crucial non secular web site so make sure to 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 charge to go to, payable on web site. You can be accompanied by an on-site information in 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 focused on tombs and Baganda tradition, you may additionally need to add a go to to Wamala Tomb to your checklist. 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!

This can be a smaller and fewer well-known web site in comparison with Kasubi. The tomb is inisde a conventional thatched constructing like that in Kasubi. There 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 contains visits to Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace, and the central markets.

 

Kabaka’s Palace (Mengo Palace)

The Kabaka’s Palace, or King’s Palace, is the standard residence of the Buganda King. The palace, which is often known as Lubiri and Mengo Palace, will be discovered on the highest of Mengo Hill, and the placement gives glorious views of the encompassing metropolis.

As we speak the palace grounds are open to the general public to go to, though you possibly can’t go contained in the precise palace residence (Twekobe Palace). The Twekobe Palace is not used as a residence however continues to be used for official visits and ceremonies The primary administrative center for the Kabaka is on the Bulange which is linked by a straight highway often called the Kabaka Anjagala or “Royal Mile”.

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

After we visited we had a superb English-speaking information named Fred who confirmed us across the grounds and defined a number 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 have been the ultimate holding location of anybody deemed a menace to Amin’s regime, and it’s estimated that over 200,000 individuals have been murdered right here, their our bodies dumped in a close-by lake.

This darkish interval of Ugandan historical past is included on the tour, and is in stark distinction to the gorgeous palace on the hill. Determined messages written in charcoal and blood and damp stained concrete are all that continues to be of those 1000’s of misplaced lives.

In addition to the above, the tour contains different attention-grabbing info on Ugandan historical past. Our information was additionally educated in regards to the timber, fruits, and crops we noticed alongside the stroll.

We learnt about bark material, a conventional material produced 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.

General, a go to to the Kabaka’s Palace grounds is an effective solution to find out about Ugandan historical past, together with it’s darker instances. The on-site guides we visited with have been actually glorious, 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 embrace Kabaka’s Palace, resembling 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 in regards to the historical past of the nation. It’s additionally the oldest museum in East Africa.

It options quite a lot of displays, overlaying 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 displays from pre-historical instances, 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 objects that have been used throughout totally different intervals in historical past. This was our favorite a part of the museum, and it was so attention-grabbing to see the totally different kinds of home in addition to the objects utilized by the totally different tribes throughout Uganda.

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

Word: the Uganda Museum closed for renovations in August 2024 and is because of reopen in mid-2025. Test the official web site for the most recent standing.

 

Independence Monument

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

The 29 foot excessive concrete sculpture, which will be discovered within the King George V Jubilee gardens, depicts a mom lifting her 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 also be depicted on Ugandan foreign money, showing on paper notes between 1,000 and 50,000 UGX. So it is perhaps acquainted to you earlier than you even see it!

It’s free to go to the Independence Monument in Kampala. 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 Monument and Statues in Kampala

Along with the Independence Monument, there are additionally various different monuments and statues you could see round Kampala. These embrace:

• World Struggle 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 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 Cenetary Monument – Commemorating the centenary of the Kampala Metropolis Council, this monument symbolizes the identification 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 Lodge
• Lengthy Cut up Drum Statue – The statue is of a tall drum or engalabi, a conventional lengthy, cylindrical drum coated with pores and skin. It’s positioned on the Nantawete roundabout alongside the Kabaka Anjagala, or highway between the Kabaka’s Palace and the Bulange.
• Wildlife Statues – You’ll discover various wildlife statues alongside the roads in central Kampala, significantly Outdated Kira Highway. Statues embrace a lion, gorillas, cranes, giraffes, impala and lots of different native wildlife species

Word that there’s usually safety round public memorials and monuments and round authorities buildings in Uganda. So it’s possible you’ll be requested why you might be there and requested to not take photographs. For instance, we have been stopped on the warfare memorial by police and we have been solely allowed to method and take a photograph as a result of we have been with a neighborhood information.

 

Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe

The following few entries in our checklist 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 relies on your pursuits.

The primary within the checklist 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 (relationship from 1890) all having been deserted or destroyed for varied causes.

The current-day church is a formidable massive crimson constructing with a domed roof, constructed from earthen bricks and earthen roof tiles.

The church will be discovered on the highest of Namirembe hill, simply to the west of the town’s central enterprise district. As with a lot of the hills within the space, the hilltop location gives glorious views of the encompassing metropolis.

Word that it’s free to go to the skin 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 aren’t all the time allowed if worship companies or different occasions are going down.

 

St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga

St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, additionally generally known as Rubaga Cathedral, is discovered on the prime of Lubaga Hill, which is simply east of the town heart. This commanding hilltop location gives glorious views of the encompassing 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.

As we speak, most Ugandans determine 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 aren’t all the time allowed if worship companies 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, but it surely’s principal home of worship and site continues to be nonetheless price a go to. Discovered on Kikaya Hill on the perimeters of the town, this imposing octagonal constructing towers 127 toes above the bottom, topped by a big inexperienced dome. It may be seen for miles round.

The constructing, which dates from 1958, is discovered on a fifty-acre property which incorporates pretty, landscaped gardens in addition to various different buildings. It has a shocking location.

Truthfully, we knew little or no in regards to 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 glorious, displaying 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 positively one thing somewhat bit totally 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 stunning information named Esther. She advised us rather a lot in regards to the historical past of the religion and of the Kampala temple. No companies have been occurring once we visited so we have 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 in case you are 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!

Development of the mosque truly 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, 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 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 may 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 depend all of the steps (272 of them!). In the event you plan on climbing, simply notice 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 have 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 notice that in Fridays and different holy days, you might not be allowed to go inside the principle components of the mosque. However it is best to nonetheless be capable 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 strolling tour and have been assigned to a mosque information for this a part of the go to. The inside of the mosque is de facto architecturally spectacular, however for us the spotlight was going up the tower for the views throughout the town.

As with every non secular constructing you’ll want 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 charge).

After we visited Jess felt a bit suffocated because it was sizzling 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 footwear on and off a couple of instances and he or she spent a number of 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 singular design, consisting of an enormous round constructing, which was designed to copy a conventional African hut. It’s additionally probably the most visited pilgrimage websites in Africa, because it serves as a shrine to the Uganda Martyrs.

The Uganda Martyrs have been a gaggle of twenty-two Catholic and 23 Anglican Christians, who have been killed between 1885 and 1887. Lots of the martyrs have 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) have been burned alive at Namugongo in 1886.

The loss of life of the Uganda martyrs had a serious influence 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 have 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 at the present time lots of of 1000’s of individuals go to the shrine.

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

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 charge to go to for worldwide guests.

There may be the bascilica, somewhat museum space, shrines to the martyrs, a small lake, an amphitheater, a small cafe, and a present store. It’s a peaceful and peaceable place and nicely price 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 biggest being Owino Market and Nakasero Market.

Nakasero Market is the oldest market in Kampala. It’s divided into two areas, an inside and an outdoor. The surface space primarily sells contemporary produce, whereas the within space has extra of a give attention to issues like clothes, textiles and souvenirs.

Owino Market is the biggest central market in Kampala and whereas it sells a little bit of every part, it’s significantly recognized for distributors promoting secondhand clothes, footwear, and trend equipment.

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

In case you are particularly on the lookout for souvenirs, then you definitely also needs to take into account a go to to Publicity Africa. Positioned 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 suggest visiting with a information to get probably the most of your go to to the markets. They’re massive, busy, and will be actually overwhelming for a first-time customer. An area information may show you how to talk with stall house owners and ensure you get a good value.

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 suggest that you just go away any costly jewellery, cameras, and different gear at your lodge.

Pictures is usually discouraged and it’s possible you’ll be requested to cease taking photographs 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 photographs from sure areas at Nakasero Market and even then we have been watched and requested solely to take photographs from a sure place.

 

Outdated Taxi Park

The Outdated Taxi Park is the oldest and largest transit terminal in Kampala. Right here you’ll see lots of of minibuses coming and entering into organized chaos.

That is under no circumstances a must-see place but it surely’s included in a number of strolling excursions as a cease, and it’s a good place to cease to find out about transportation in Kampala.

 

Ndere Cultural Heart

One in all our favourite actions in Kampala was our go to to the Ndere Cultural Heart. The cultural heart showcases the cultural heritage of Uganda, with dance performances, artwork displays, 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 primary expertise for guests in Kampala, which is what we’d suggest and did, is to go to for one of many night performances. These fluctuate however usually embrace a mixture of dance, theater, and music and infrequently even have the choice to have a buffet dinner in the course of the present.

These performances happen a couple of instances every week, and usually run from 7pm – 10pm. Reveals are held outdoors below a big mango tree, and in addition to the present there’s the choice to buy meals and drinks.

We visited for the Wednesday night Sherehe present. This was a very enjoyable night with nice performers and a stunning setting. The present tells the tales from the totally different Ugandan tribes with conventional dance. There’s additionally a superb and entertaining principal 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 will 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 a great native group.

It’s simple sufficient to go to the Ndere Cultural Heart your self, or you possibly can ebook a tour which incorporates various sights in addition to the present and dinner like this one.

 

Nommo Artwork Gallery

In the event you’re focused on seeing and even shopping for up some native artwork throughout your time in Kampala, then a go to to Nommo Gallery is price your time. It’s a small gallery however it’s one among 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.

After we visited the principle artwork exhibited was a black-and-white pictures exhibition about incapacity. There was additionally various different artwork on the market, principally work, but in addition statues, wooden carvings, paper artwork, and many others. 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 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 totally different safety checkpoints (a photograph ID was required) to succeed in the artwork gallery (after which return).

Lately, there was discuss of relocating the gallery to someplace that’s simpler for guests to succeed in however no determination has but been reached. Within the meantime, if you wish to go to make sure to be ready and take alongside an official picture ID with you and put on snug footwear.

 

Take a Meals Tour

We love exploring the native meals once we go to a rustic, and probably the greatest methods we’ve discovered to do this is to take a meals tour. On one among our visits to Kampala we took this three-hour meals 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 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 to strive that.

The true spotlight of the tour although, past the wonderful 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 have been fortunate sufficient to be the one individuals on the tour, so we bought to speak 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.

In order for you an immersive native expertise and to strive a number of native produce and dishes, this meals tour is a wonderful solution to just do that. This will provide you with an important introduction to Ugandan meals.

 

 

Go to AFFCAD

Like many nations all over the world, poverty is an actual concern in Uganda, particularly affecting youngsters. They usually have restricted entry to every part from clear water to schooling to healthcare, which doesn’t lead to constructive life outcomes.

One group that’s working to empower these in poverty is AFFCAD, which stands for Motion for Basic 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, fast inhabitants progress, and a location on a former wetland, which all conspire to create residing situations suffering from floods and unsanitary situations.

We suggest 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 in regards to the superb 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 applications. That is achieved by vocational coaching, faculties, and entry to healthcare.

AFFCAD additionally gives a slum consciousness tour to guests to Kampala, the place you possibly can be taught in regards to the challenges dealing with neighborhoods like Bwaise, and perceive what AFFCAD are doing to assist. We’ve got written up to now about moral slum tourism so we positively suggest studying that earlier than reserving any slum excursions. Based mostly on our expertise, we really feel that visiting Bwaise with AFFCAD positively ends in 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 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 have 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 fee was $35 per particular person. We paid in money in 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.

Yow 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 immediately, which you are able to do at information@affcad.org.

 

E book a Strolling Tour of Central Kampala

We will extremely suggest reserving a guided strolling tour for at the 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 generally is a bit chaotic, particularly for a primary time customer, and letting another person take care of logistics and route planning will allow you to give attention to the sights. It could additionally show you how to navigate a number of the language limitations 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 prime firm we will personally suggest for strolling excursions as we’ve got 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 the perfect 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’ll be able to see extra of their excursions right here.

The tour we did with Arthur coated a number of the principal highlights of central Kampala, and included sampling of a Rolex, visits to Nakasero Market, Owino Market, a Hindu temple, Parliament Sq., and the Outdated Taxi Park, a neighborhood espresso on the 1000 Cups Cafe, and time at a number of the monuments in Kampala together with the Independence Monument. We additionally took the choice to go to the Uganda Nationwide Mosque.

General, we will extremely suggest reserving a strolling tour of Kampala as a part of your go to to the town. Ideally we suggest doing one thing like this in the beginning of your time in Uganda because it helps provide you with a great introduction and an opportunity to ask a number of questions.

 

Day Journeys and 2-Day Journeys from Kampala

Clearly, there may be tons to do in Kampala itself, however in case you are within the metropolis for a couple of days (maybe as a part of a convention or one thing), you is perhaps questioning what choices there are for exploring additional afield.

The excellent news is that there are many good day journey choices from Kampala, in addition to choices for 2-day journeys. Most of those will be finished as a part of a day tour. Listed here are some to think about:

• 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 thought to be 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 effective solution to see the sights of the town in a day.
• Entebbe day journey – Most guests to Uganda will cross 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 tons 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 contains round-trip transport from Kampala with a boat-cruise, in addition to a guided chimpanzee trek, snacks, and lunch. Word that’s can also be the perfect place to see chimps in Uganda if in case you have youngsters as all different websites have minimal age restrictions.
• See the shoebill storks at Mabamba Swamp. One in all our favourite experiences in Uganda was our boat birding safari on Mabamba Swamp to see the superior wanting shoebill stork. These birds have an unbelievable shovel formed beak, and are solely present in a couple of areas in Uganda. The boat tour additionally contains the chance to see many different birds, however the shoebill stork is the spotlight.
• A day journey to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is presently the one place to see rhino in Uganda. Contains round-trip transfers and admission to the park. We’ve visited Ziwa twice and have all the time gotten to see rhino, a extra exceptional expertise since you truly trek and discover the rhino on foot. Additionally, you will seemingly see a number of birds and different wildlife as nicely right here. Extremely really helpful.
• In the event you actually need to go on safari in Uganda however don’t have a number 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 journey, and do a morning sport drive. There’s additionally the choice to incorporate a cease at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• There are additionally many multi-day safari centered excursions from Uganda, together with excursions which characteristic chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You’ll be able to see a number of the greatest choices on GetYourGuide right here and Viator right here.

There are after all many extra choices for journeys from Kampala, particularly if in case you have extra time. You’ll be able to see a vary of choices right here. The one factor we’d all the time suggest is to test 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

Learn how to Get to Kampala

As the principle metropolis in Uganda, Kampala is nicely linked to the remainder of the nation by highway. The primary airport in Uganda is in close by Entebbe, with an specific freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automotive. Word this can be a toll highway, however the charge is nicely price paying because the previous Entebbe-Kampala highway can take over 2 hours to traverse attributable to site visitors.

In case you are arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your lodge may be capable to organize an airport switch for you. You can even ebook 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 gives an inexpensive scheduled service from various Entebbe areas together with the airport, and you’ll ebook this on-line right here.

 

Learn how to Get Round Kampala

There are a variety of various methods of getting round Kampala. 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 variety of choices, together with bike taxis (boda boda), minivan taxis (matatu), journey sharing apps like Protected Boda and Uber, in addition to non-public drivers and tour firms. You could possibly additionally hire a automotive and drive your self, though given the site visitors and a number of the highway conditons we’d in all probability advise in opposition to that.

As a world traveler, your two principal choices for fast journey are to both use a automotive (both a personal taxi or by way of journey sharing app) or to get a boda boda. The boda boda is unquestionably the quickest and most cost-effective choice of the 2 and if you could get someplace fast, these are sometimes the one choice. They are often hailed from virtually any road. However we caught to automobiles as a result of there was the 2 of us and we felt extra secure in automobiles.

For almost all of our Kampala sightseeing we used a ride-sharing app (Uber) to get across the metropolis. This made issues simple as we may pay by way of the app. Nonetheless, we did have points with drivers probably not figuring out methods to use the app appropriately or nonetheless asking us to pay in money (we’d refuse and nonetheless pay by way of 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 in order for you a automotive or a boda boda (motorcycle). In the event you do need to take motorcycle taxis, we do suggest reserving by them as you possibly can pay by way of the app and so they embrace a helmet and security vest.

For a number of the sights we visited they have been shut sufficient to our lodge that we visited them on foot. So strolling is an choice, simply make sure to put on snug footwear you don’t thoughts getting soiled (our footwear bought a pleasant layer of reddish brown mud from our walks).

On one among our later visits to Kampala we walked out rather a lot, 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 secure wandering round on foot, it might not really feel snug or be a great choice for some individuals as you’ll seemingly draw consideration. We solely walked throughout sunlight hours, and wouldn’t suggest 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 simple.

In case you are visiting by yourself (with no tour information), simply know it’s not that tough to get round Kampala by yourself. When you have any questions or need assistance getting a taxi or boda boda, your lodge can simply show you how to organize this.

 

The place to Keep in Kampala

There’s a variety of inns to remain at in Kampala, throughout varied value factors. Listed here 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 on the lookout for a hostel in Kampala (or only a finances pleasant lodging choice), then this is a wonderful alternative. Each non-public 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 cushty keep every time. This is without doubt one of the newer and extra trendy inns 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 stress-free boutique lodge on our first go to to Kampala. Rooms are very snug and supply air-conditioning, and there’s an on-site restaurant and pool. It’s a really peaceable place that provides an oasis of calm away from the bustle of the town.
• Kampala Serena – we’ve got stayed in various Serena properties and all the time had a great keep, so we’re pleased to suggest this 4* lodge. That includes a big swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms, and on-site eating places, this lodge would make an important 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, various eating places, snug air-conditioned rooms, a health heart, a sauna, and a magnificence salon.

After all there are numerous 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 secure? That is not possible to actually 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’ve got personally felt fairly secure in Kampala as overseas guests on our 4 visits to the town. However you do have to take regular precautions for touring in a big metropolis.

The primary dangers most vacationers will face in Kampala will probably be pickpockets and thieves. Needless to say a $1,000 digicam or smartphone could also be regular to you however might imply an entire lot to somebody residing on a couple of {dollars} a day. So, you’ll want to be vigilant together with your valuables and carry a minimal amount of cash on you.

The danger will seemingly be increased in busier areas like crowded markets, or on a public bus. Conserving any valuables like costly jewellery, watches, smartphones, or cameras out of sight is a sensible concept. In the event you don’t want them, I’d preserve them within the lodge. You’ll in all probability discover in a number of the photographs that whilst a photographer I left my huge digicam at residence most days and simply carried somewhat compact digicam with a thick neck strap.

A cash belt, resembling this Eagle Creek one (which is the one we personal), is an effective solution to retailer cash, bank cards, lodge key, passports, and many others. 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 the event you select to put on a backpack, make certain the closures/zippers will be secured.

Having a information or becoming a member of a tour will assist scale back your danger; nevertheless, notice 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 the event 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 anyplace on the earth, the danger 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 gaggle, or simply touring with a personal 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. In line with the U.S. Division of State, LGBT individuals (or individuals perceived as such and people selling LGBT points) are at elevated danger for fines, violence, harassment, imprisonment, and might even face the loss of life penalty.

 

Language in Kampala

The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; nevertheless, there are a number 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 biggest of the standard kingdoms in Uganda).

Though Swahili has been made an official language, we not often heard locals talking it until chatting with guests from different East African nations. Some advised us they like to not 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 may get by fairly nicely with English as most individuals within the tourism trade right here converse at the least some English. At points of interest and museums, the data is usually written in English.

In the event you don’t converse English, Swahili, or a neighborhood language resembling Luganda, it is best to take into account hiring a information or translator to get probably the most of your time in Kampala. Or at the least carry a great written guidebook with you.

 

Forex in Kampala

The primary foreign money in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling, or UGX. That is accepted all over the place.

The US greenback can also be typically accepted, however you need to be conscious that they have to be latest payments in superb form. Any sort 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 various instances 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 nations all over the world, you’ll want to take some precautions to make sure you keep wholesome as a customer to Uganda.

Earlier than you go to you’ll want to guarantee you might be updated on any vaccinations you want. You also needs to talk about any present suggestions for journey to Uganda, which is able to seemingly embrace anti-malarial treatment.

You may get malaria in Kampala though the danger is decrease than in most different components of Uganda. Word that along with malaria, mosquitoes can carry and transmit various different illnesses so prevention is essential (insect repellent, sporting lengthy sleeves and pants, and many others.)

We additionally extremely suggest 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 right here, and from the UK authorities right here.

Studying the well being warnings issued by governments generally is a bit scary as there have been outbreaks of some fairly severe issues like ebola, mpox (monkeypox), cholera, and yellow fever in Uganda. However simply know that these are typically small outbreaks and you aren’t more likely to come into contact with them as a vacationer. However it is best to nonetheless be educated and take crucial 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 ingesting one thing with contaminated water.

With regards to water, you’ll want to keep on 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 many others. until they’re from a good and licensed meals vendor (resembling your lodge restaurant).

In the event you’d favor to keep away from shopping for bottled water in Kampala, you possibly can learn this text on secure ingesting water when touring for tactics 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 greatest to attempt 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 secure dishes and take you to locations which have good hygiene requirements.

As individuals who have been sick in Uganda (most definitely from consuming contemporary greens on a sandwich), we extremely recommending being cautious and following the really helpful 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 variety of excursions of Kampala you could take, which is able to give you a secure, guided expertise in Uganda’s capital metropolis. We’ve taken various strolling excursions in Kampala and so they have been all glorious, with pleasant, educated guides who helped us actually perceive what we have been seeing. Listed here are some excursions we suggest.

• 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 lots of the highlights of Kampala that we point out on this information. We’ve taken this tour as nicely.
• That is one other tour of Kampala, which additionally visits various highlights within the metropolis. We haven’t personally taken this one however it’s extremely reviewed.

 

Getting On-line in Uganda

You might have a couple of choices for getting on-line while 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 usually free WiFi at espresso outlets and eating places, particularly these catering to vacationers.

Nonetheless, 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 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 couple of totally different carriers, however Airtel labored nicely for us and was a great value. It additionally had the benefit that as we have been visiting a couple of totally different East African nations we have been in a position to buy a roaming information bundle which coated us in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania as nicely.

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 once we journey (see our full Airalo overview right here). It’s usually barely dearer than shopping for a neighborhood SIM, however will allow you to get on-line as quickly as you land and skip having to discover a SIM card and undergo the native means of registering it.

In order for you extra recommendation on web entry when touring, see our information to getting on-line when touring for some suggestions and recommendation.

 

Energy Retailers / Journey Adapters for Uganda

Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Kind G plug), as you will discover within the UK and various different nations in East Africa. In case you are coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your tools will probably be positive and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.

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