We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Uganda numerous instances and had some wonderful experiences together with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking. Nonetheless, there’s much more to do in Uganda past these iconic actions!

Once we go to Uganda, we at all times spend a few of our time in its capital metropolis, Kampala. That is by far the most important metropolis in Uganda, and also you’ll discover a lot of issues to do in Kampala, together with cultural sights, museums, markets, and extra.

We’ve already written about issues to do in Entebbe, which is the city closest to the worldwide airport. That’s discovered on the shores of Lake Victoria and can also be value visiting. Nonetheless, we 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 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 prone to see metropolis life.  It’s a spot many Ugandans come for enterprise, education, coaching, purchasing, and spiritual gatherings. It additionally has numerous vacationer sights!

Most worldwide vacationers to Uganda spend little or no, if any, time within the nation’s capital, and we expect that Kampala deserves a cease in your itinerary if you wish to get a greater understanding of the nation and its folks. So, you probably have the time, we suggest 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 instances, most instances only a day or two, however on one journey we spent a number of days exploring town. So, we’re fortunate to have visited a lot of the locations that will be of curiosity to worldwide vacationers and wish to encourage extra folks to take the time to cease and provides town a glance.

On this information, we’re going to share a few of our favourite issues to do in Kampala. Whether or not you simply spend a day seeing a number of the highlights as a part of an extended tour in Uganda or are on the town for an extended time period, we hope this information conjures up you to see as a lot as you possibly can.

We’ll additionally share some tips about issues like getting round in addition to staying protected and the place to remain. Let’s get began!

Issues to do in Kampala Uganda

Right here’s our overview of our favourite issues to do in Kampala, primarily based on our private expertise visiting. It’s best to be capable to do all these actions throughout a number of days or pick your favorites for a full day of sightseeing!

 

Kasubi Tombs

Earlier than Uganda grew to become a British Protectorate within the late nineteenth century, the area it occupies at this time was comprised of a sequence of smaller kingdoms.

The most important of those kingdoms was the Buganda kingdom, house to the Baganda folks. The Baganda are dominated over by Kings, generally known as 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 folks, a truth which is especially obvious on the Kasubi Tombs, discovered on Kasubi Hill in Kampala.

That is the ultimate resting place of 4 of the Buganda Kabakas. It’s a main historic, cultural, and non secular website in Uganda. It’s additionally the one UNESCO world heritage website in Kampala and stays an vital non secular place for the Baganda.

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

Additionally on website are a gatehouse, a drum home, and cemeteries the place the kids, wives, and different relations of the kings are buried. The realm additionally has numerous historically constructed properties the place the widows of the previous Kings reside and have a tendency the graves.

The Kasubi tombs had been really nearly fully destroyed by fireplace in 2010, nonetheless a serious renovation venture was launched and so they reopened in 2025. We visited as they had been within the technique of rebuilding and there was numerous craftsman from varied elements of Uganda working.

We actually loved our go to to the Kasubi tombs and may extremely suggest inserting this in your to-do record in Kampala. This is a crucial non secular website so you should definitely 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 price to go to, payable on website. You may be accompanied by an on-site information to your go to. It can be visited as a part of a guided tour like this one or this one which incorporates a number of stops in Kampala.

 

Wamala Tombs

In case you are serious about tombs and Baganda tradition, you might also wish to add a go to to Wamala Tomb to your record. That is smaller and fewer central burial place of the twenty ninth Kabaka of Buganda Ssekabaka Ssuuna ll who dominated from 1832 to 1856. By most accounts, he was not a really good man who had nearly all his brothers executed!

This can be a smaller and fewer well-known website in comparison with Kasubi. The tomb is inisde a standard 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.

Be aware that the Wamala Tombs are a couple of 30 minute drive north of central Kampala. In case you are wanting to go to Wamala Tombs, you may take into account this tour which additionally contains visits to Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace, and the central markets.

 

Kabaka’s Palace (Mengo Palace)

The Kabaka’s Palace, or King’s Palace, is the standard house of the Buganda King. The palace, which is also called Lubiri and Mengo Palace, might be discovered on the highest of Mengo Hill, and the placement gives wonderful views of the encompassing metropolis.

At present the palace grounds are open to the general public to go to, though you possibly can’t go contained in the precise palace residence (Twekobe Palace). The Twekobe Palace is not used as a residence however continues to be used for official visits and ceremonies The principle workplace for the Kabaka is on the Bulange which is related by a straight street generally known as the Kabaka Anjagala or “Royal Mile”.

So the go to takes place primarily open air. Visits are guided, you mainly flip up on the entry gate. pay the entry price, and a information shall be allotted to you.

Once we visited we had a wonderful English-speaking information named Fred who confirmed us across the grounds and defined loads of 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 folks had been murdered right here, their our bodies dumped in a close-by lake.

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

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

We learnt about bark fabric, a standard material created from tree bark which lengthy predates woven textiles. Many Ugandan artists use it as a standard 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 technique to study Ugandan historical past, together with it’s darker instances. The on-site guides we visited with had been actually wonderful, and this was a really worthy expertise.

There may be after all a price to go to. You may go to your self, as we did, or as half of a bigger day tour. Nearly all of excursions of Kampala will embrace Kabaka’s Palace, akin to this one or this one.

 

Uganda Museum

Based in 1908, the Uganda Museum is likely one of the finest locations in Kampala to go to to be taught concerning the historical past of the nation. It’s additionally the oldest museum in East Africa.

It options a wide range of displays, protecting the historical past and tradition of the Ugandan folks, with objects together with musical devices, weapons of battle, barkcloth work, conventional medical provides, garments, and much more. There 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.

Outdoors, you’ll discover the cultural village, which encompasses a vary of various conventional buildings and objects that had been used throughout totally different durations in historical past. This was our favorite a part of the museum, and it was so attention-grabbing to see the totally different types of home in addition to the objects utilized by the totally different tribes throughout Uganda.

The museum isn’t enormous, and may undoubtedly be visited in 2 to three hours. There may be an admission price. You may go to by yourself or you may get a information in case you favor a guided go to. You may see extra about opening instances and what you possibly can see on the official museum web site.

Be aware: the Uganda Museum closed for renovations in August 2024 and is because of reopen in mid-2025. Verify the official web site for the 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 might be discovered within the King George V Jubilee gardens, depicts a mom lifting her baby into the air with ropes round her legs. The ropes symbolise the liberty from colonialism, whereas the kid’s pleasure showcases the enjoyment of freedom.

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

It’s free to go to the Independence Monument in Kampala. Additionally it is typically included on excursions akin to this one and this city-centre strolling tour. We visited it as a part of this guided strolling tour.

 

Different Historic Monuments and Statues in Kampala

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

• World Conflict Memorial Monument – constructed by the British in 1945 to recollect the Ugandans misplaced within the first and second world wars. One of many oldest memorials in Kampala. Discovered on Kampala 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 army fatigues, which is a nod to his service as a Queen’s Grenadier Guard. He was additionally the primary Black Commissioned Officer within the Grenadier Guards. This was initially situated on the intersection of Speke Highway and Nile Avenue, however as a result of street works it has been moved to sit down between the Serena Lodge and Imperial Royale Lodge
• The Centenary Monument – Commemorating the centenary of the Kampala Metropolis Council, this monument symbolizes the id of town’s governing authority. Present in Centenary Park alongside Jinja Highway
• Stride Monument – Created to honor the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly, this monument encompasses a household transferring ahead collectively, symbolizing the unity of the Commonwealth. Discovered between the Parliamentary Gardens and the Kampala Serena Lodge
• Lengthy Break up Drum Statue – The statue is of a tall drum or engalabi, a standard lengthy, cylindrical drum lined with pores and skin. It’s situated on the Nantawete roundabout alongside the Kabaka Anjagala, or street between the Kabaka’s Palace and the Bulange.
• Wildlife Statues – You’ll discover numerous wildlife statues alongside the roads in central Kampala, significantly Previous Kira Highway. Statues embrace a lion, gorillas, cranes, giraffes, impala and plenty of different native wildlife species

Be aware that there’s typically safety round public memorials and monuments and round authorities buildings in Uganda. So you might be requested why you might be there and requested to not take pictures. For instance, we had been stopped on the battle memorial by police and we had been solely allowed to method and take a photograph as a result of we had been with a neighborhood information.

 

Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe

The subsequent few entries in our record of issues to do in Kampala are locations of worship for a number of the main religions you’ll discover in Uganda. We’ve visited all of those, and every location is attention-grabbing and value visiting in its personal proper. It simply depends 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 varied causes.

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

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

Be aware that it’s free to go to the skin of the cathedral however in case you want to go inside as a customer there’s a price which features a guided tour. The church is after all a working church so visits usually are not at all times allowed if worship providers or different occasions are happening.

 

St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga

St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, additionally generally referred to as Rubaga Cathedral, is discovered on the high of Lubaga Hill, which is simply east of town heart. This commanding hilltop location gives wonderful views of the encompassing metropolis.

That is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Kampala, which is the oldest diocese within the nation. Rubaga has been the seat of the Bishop since 1883, and the cathedral itself was consecrated in 1925. It was initially arrange by the White Fathers, French Roman Catholic missionaries, who got the land by the thirty first Kabaka of Buganda.

The cathedral is a big brick constructing with two spectacular towers on the entrance, and the capability to carry as much as 5,000 worshippers. There are some attention-grabbing stained-glass home windows, murals, and different artwork items that inform the story of the Catholic Church in Uganda. We had a information from the church who gave us a brief tour inside.

At present, most Ugandans establish as Christians (over 80%) and Roman Catholicism is the most important denomination, adopted by Anglicism.

The church is free to go to though donations are inspired. The church is after all a working church so visits usually are not at all times allowed if worship providers or different occasions are happening.

 

Baha’i Home of Worship

The Baha’i religion is likely one of the smaller and newer faiths in Uganda, however its principal home of worship and placement continues to be nonetheless value a go to. Discovered on Kikaya Hill on the perimeters of town, this imposing octagonal constructing towers 127 toes above the bottom, topped by a big inexperienced dome. It may be seen for miles round.

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

Truthfully, we knew little or no concerning the Baha’i religion earlier than we visited, so the chance to study that was welcomed. All visits are by free guided tour, and our information was wonderful, displaying us the important thing highlights of the property and answering all our questions concerning the historical past of the constructing and the Baha’i religion. It’s undoubtedly one thing slightly bit totally different and well worth the small effort to get right here in our opinion.

We really visited twice, the primary time we took a ride-share right here however arrived too late because it had already closed. You may solely go to the grounds throughout visiting hours. On our second go to we deliberate a bit higher and arrived throughout opening hours.

We signed in and got a tour by a stunning information named Esther. She informed us lots concerning the historical past of the religion and of the Kampala temple. No providers had been occurring once we visited so we had been allowed to go inside, no speaking or pictures is allowed inside.

Because it’s discovered to the north of town heart it’s a good location to cease in case you are heading north out of town, maybe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or additional north to Murchison Nationwide Park.

 

Uganda Nationwide Mosque

The Uganda Nationwide Mosque, beforehand generally known as the Gaddafi Nationwide Mosque, is the most important mosque in East Africa. Round 15% of the inhabitants of Uganda is Muslim, and this mosque has room for nearly 20,000 worshippers!

Development of the mosque really began in 1972 throughout the regime of Idi Amin, nonetheless the instability of the regime meant that development halted in 1976. It wasn’t till 2001 that development restarted, due to the assist of the Libyan chief Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The mosque lastly opened for worship in 2007 and was renamed the Uganda Nationwide Mosque in 2013 after the demise 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 town. This minaret was really 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!). If you happen to plan on climbing, simply observe 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 might be visited by non-Muslims as a part of a tour. Simply observe that in Fridays and different holy days, you will not be allowed to go inside the principle elements of the mosque. However it’s best to nonetheless be capable to go to the outside and climb the minaret.

There may be an entrance price to go to as a foreigner. We visited as a part of this guided strolling tour and had been assigned to a mosque information for this a part of the go to. The inside of the mosque is admittedly architecturally spectacular, however for us the spotlight was going up the tower for the views throughout town.

As with all non secular 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 price).

Once 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 number of instances and he or she spent loads 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 novel design, consisting of an enormous round constructing, which was designed to duplicate a standard 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. Lots of the martyrs had been members of the King’s Royal Courtroom who had adopted Christianity in opposition to the King’s needs, and whom he ordered to be executed. Nearly all of the martyrs (twenty-two males) had been burned alive at Namugongo in 1886.

The demise 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 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 tons 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 yr and discover the grounds and basilica throughout visiting hours. There was a small price 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 relaxed 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 most important being Owino Market and Nakasero Market.

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

Owino Market is the most important central market in Kampala and whereas it sells a little bit of every thing, 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 could have some sort of market.

In case you are particularly searching for souvenirs, you then must also take into account a go to to Publicity Africa. Positioned on Buganda street, this market has over 30 stalls that includes arts and crafts that are typically made both in Uganda or Kenya. It has a wide range of antiques, native crafts, artwork, and souvenirs.

We suggest visiting with a information to get probably the most of your go to to the markets. They’re giant, busy, and might be actually overwhelming for a first-time customer. A neighborhood information also can show you how to talk with stall homeowners and ensure you get a good value.

Whereas we felt protected strolling round Kampala, thieves, pickpockets, and scammers will goal vacationers. You additionally wish to be very cautious of your valuables when contained in the markets. We suggest that you just depart any costly jewellery, cameras, and different gear at your resort.

Pictures is usually 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 homeowners to permit us to take some pictures from sure areas at Nakasero Market and even then we had been watched and requested solely to take pictures from a sure place.

 

Previous Taxi Park

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

That is on no account a must-see place nevertheless it’s included in loads of strolling excursions as a cease, and it’s a good place to cease to study transportation in Kampala.

 

Ndere Cultural Middle

One in every of our favourite actions in Kampala was our go to to the Ndere Cultural Middle. The cultural heart showcases the cultural heritage of Uganda, with dance performances, artwork displays, and meals.

The Ndere troupe was based in 1984 by Rwangezi Stephen in 1984 as a cultural group “for common unity by way of music, dance and drama”. They’ve now additionally unfold that message round Uganda with touring teams.

The principle expertise for guests in Kampala, which is what we’d suggest and did, is to go to for one of many night performances. These fluctuate however sometimes embrace a mixture of dance, theater, and music and infrequently even have the choice to have a buffet dinner throughout the present.

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

We visited for the Wednesday night Sherehe present. This was a extremely enjoyable night with nice performers and a stunning setting. The present tells the tales from the totally different Ugandan tribes with conventional dance. There’s additionally a wonderful 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 are able to extremely really useful reserving a ticket for a efficiency right here if one is going on throughout your go to to Kampala. Its an excellent night out and supporting a superb native group.

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

 

Nommo Artwork Gallery

If you happen to’re serious about seeing and even shopping for up some native artwork throughout your time in Kampala, then a go to to Nommo Gallery is value your time. It’s a small gallery however it’s certainly one of few in Uganda.

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

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

Be aware that attending to the gallery might be difficult. We had a taxi, however he needed to drop us off a couple of 10-minute stroll from the gallery due to street closures and safety checkpoints. The gallery is situated close to the State Home which regularly results in elevated safety within the space. So we needed to go on foot by way of a few totally different safety checkpoints (a photograph ID was required) to succeed in the artwork gallery (after which return).

Lately, there was speak 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 you should definitely be ready and take alongside an official photograph ID with you and put on comfy footwear.

 

Take a Meals Tour

We love exploring the native meals once we go to a rustic, and the most effective 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 meals tour.

This was a wonderful technique to strive a variety of Ugandan meals, and included Rolex, deep-fried grasshoppers, fritters, fried fish, recent fruit, sugar cane juice, and samosas from a wide range of avenue distributors. It then completed with a full buffet at a restaurant specializing in Ugandan meals. Probably the most widespread meals eaten in Uganda is matooke (a boiled and mashed inexperienced bananas) so I might you should definitely strive that.

The actual 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 data of Kampala. We had been fortunate sufficient to be the one folks on the tour, so we acquired to talk with our tour information about all types of subjects, from the political historical past of the nation, to his favourite meals, sports activities, and what it’s wish to reside in Kampala.

If you would like an immersive native expertise and to strive loads of native produce and dishes, this meals tour is a wonderful technique to just do that. This will provide you with an excellent introduction to Ugandan meals.

 

 

Go to AFFCAD

Like many international locations world wide, poverty is an actual challenge in Uganda, particularly affecting youngsters. They typically have restricted entry to every thing from clear water to training to healthcare, which doesn’t lead to optimistic life outcomes.

One group that’s working to empower these in poverty is AFFCAD, which stands for Motion for Elementary Change
and Growth. This nonprofit was arrange by 4 younger males from Bwaise in Kampala, one of many poorest neighborhoods within the metropolis.

This township suffers from a scarcity of city planning, speedy inhabitants progress, and a location on a former wetland, which all conspire to create dwelling situations affected by floods and unsanitary situations.

We suggest watching the movie Queen of Katwe earlier than your go to to Uganda to get an thought of life within the slums in Uganda, in addition to be taught concerning the wonderful real-life story of Phiona Mutesi, who grew up in Katwe, and her mentor Robert Katende.

AFFCAD are working to enhance alternatives obtainable to the folks in Kampala’s poorest areas, together with the Bwaise neighborhood, by way of a spread of academic, healthcare, and financial applications. That is achieved by way of 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 concerning the challenges going through neighborhoods like Bwaise, and perceive what AFFCAD are doing to assist. Now we have written prior to now about moral slum tourism so we undoubtedly suggest studying that earlier than reserving any slum excursions. Based mostly on our expertise, we really feel that visiting Bwaise with AFFCAD undoubtedly leads to total optimistic outcomes.

We took our strolling tour with Jaffar, one of many 4 founders of AFFCAD. We visited the varied AFFCAD buildings the place they provide vocational coaching. It was not a “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 had been served a standard meal of kikkomondo, which is mainly beans and chapati, and is scrumptious. A pleasant technique to finish the tour.

Our tour lasted about 2.5 hours and included transport from our resort in Kampala. We did it in 2023 and the price was $35 per particular person. We paid in money initially of the tour of their workplace.

The proceeds from the tour go on to serving to AFFCAD enhance the lives of a few of Uganda’s poorest, and may make an actual distinction. It’s additionally an excellent technique to get insights from a neighborhood about life on this a part of Kampala.

You could find out extra about visiting AFFCAD at their web site right here. These excursions do must be booked prematurely. One of the simplest ways to arrange a tour is to e-mail them immediately, which you are able to do at data@affcad.org.

 

Guide a Strolling Tour of Central Kampala

We are able to extremely suggest reserving a guided strolling tour for 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 could actually additionally show you how to navigate a number of the language limitations and safety points that you could be come throughout.

We took this wonderful strolling tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the high 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 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 meals strolling tour we did in Kampala. You may see extra of their excursions right here.

The tour we did with Arthur lined 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 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 suggest reserving a strolling tour of Kampala as a part of your go to to town. Ideally we suggest doing one thing like this initially of your time in Uganda because it helps offer you a superb introduction and an opportunity to ask loads of questions.

 

Day Journeys and 2-Day Journeys from Kampala

Clearly, there’s much more to do in Kampala itself, however in case you are within the metropolis for a number of days (maybe as a part of a convention or one thing), you may 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 might 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 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 effective technique to see the sights of town in a day.
• Entebbe day journey – Most guests to Uganda will cross by way of Entebbe as that is the place the worldwide airport is situated. It’s solely about half an hours drive from Kampala and might be simply reached with a ride-share or shuttle bus service. There’s a lot to do right here on a day-trip, together with visiting the zoo and the botanical gardens. See our information to Issues to do in Entebbe for some concepts.
• Go to the Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island. Chimpanzee trekking is a well-liked exercise in Uganda, however the majority of the chimpanzees are too far-off from the capital metropolis to make a day journey possible. Nonetheless, there’s a inhabitants of chimps on Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria. This tour contains round-trip transport from Kampala with a boat-cruise, in addition to a guided chimpanzee trek, snacks, and lunch. Be aware that that is additionally one of the best place to see chimps in Uganda you probably have youngsters as all different websites have minimal age restrictions.
• See the shoebill storks at Mabamba Swamp. One in every 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 unbelievable shovel formed beak, and are solely present in a number of places in Uganda. The boat tour additionally contains the chance to see many different birds, however the shoebill stork is the spotlight.
• A day journey to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is at the moment the one place to see rhino in Uganda. Consists of round-trip transfers and admission to the park. We’ve visited Ziwa twice and have at all times seen rhino, a extra outstanding expertise since you really trek and discover the rhino on foot. Additionally, you will doubtless see loads of birds and different wildlife as effectively right here. Extremely really useful.
• If you happen to actually wish to go on safari in Uganda however don’t have loads 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 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 centered excursions from Kampala, together with excursions which function chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You may see a number of the finest choices on GetYourGuide right here and Viator right here.

There are after all many extra choices for journeys from Kampala, particularly you probably have extra time. You may see a vary of choices right here. The one factor we’d at all times suggest is to examine driving distances. Uganda is pretty giant, and also you don’t wish to spend all of your time simply sitting in a car getting from  Level A to B.

 

Practicalities for Visiting Kampala

Learn how to Get to Kampala

As the principle metropolis in Uganda, Kampala is effectively related to the remainder of the nation by street. The principle airport in Uganda is in close by Entebbe, with an categorical freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automobile. Be aware it is a toll street, however the price is effectively value paying because the outdated Entebbe-Kampala street can take over 2 hours to traverse as a result of site visitors.

In case you are arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your resort may be capable to prepare an airport switch for you. You can even 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 generally known as the Pineapple Specific. This gives an reasonably priced scheduled service from numerous Entebbe places together with the airport, and you’ll e-book this on-line right here.

 

Learn how to Get Round Kampala

There are a variety of various methods of getting round Kampala. The town and its sights are fairly unfold out, so while you possibly can stroll to see some sights, it’s doubtless you’ll need some type of transport throughout your go to.

There are a variety of choices, together with motorbike taxis (boda boda), minivan taxis (matatu), trip sharing apps like Secure Boda and Uber, in addition to non-public drivers and tour firms. You may additionally hire a automobile and drive your self, though given the site visitors and a number of the street 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 automobile (both a personal taxi or through trip sharing app) or to get a boda boda. The boda boda is certainly the quickest and most cost-effective possibility of the 2 and if it is advisable get someplace fast, these are sometimes the one possibility. They are often hailed from nearly any avenue. However we caught to automobiles as a result of there was the 2 of us and we felt extra protected in automobiles.

For almost all of our Kampala sightseeing we used a ride-sharing app (Uber) to get across the metropolis. This made issues straightforward as we may pay through the app. Nonetheless, we did have points with drivers not likely understanding the right way to use the app appropriately or nonetheless asking us to pay in money (we’d refuse and nonetheless pay through app). So simply know many drivers are new to Uber so there can nonetheless be points.

One other well-liked possibility is SafeBoda, which lets you specify in order for you a automobile or a boda boda (motorcycle). If you happen to do wish to take motorcycle taxis, we do suggest reserving by way of them as you possibly can pay through the app and so they embrace a helmet and security vest.

For a number of the sights we visited they had been shut sufficient to our resort that we visited them on foot. So strolling is an possibility, simply you should definitely put on comfy footwear you don’t thoughts getting soiled (our footwear acquired a pleasant layer of reddish brown mud from our walks).

On certainly one of our later visits to Kampala we walked out lots, sufficient in order that the native safety folks within the space would say good day to us and finally stopped asking if we needed them to name us a taxi. Whereas we felt protected wandering round on foot, it might not really feel comfy or be a superb possibility for some folks as you’ll doubtless draw consideration. We solely walked throughout sunlight hours, and wouldn’t suggest strolling by yourself after darkish.

In fact, 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 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 no tour information), simply know it isn’t that onerous to get round Kampala by yourself. You probably have any questions or need assistance getting a taxi or boda boda, your resort can simply show you how to prepare this.

 

The place to Keep in Kampala

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

• Bushpig Backpackers – in case you’re searching for a hostel in Kampala (or only a finances pleasant lodging possibility), 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 snug keep every time. This is likely one of the newer and extra trendy accommodations 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 beautiful enjoyable boutique resort on our first go to to Kampala. Rooms are very comfy and provide air-conditioning, and there’s an on-site restaurant and pool. It’s a really peaceable place that provides an oasis of calm away from the bustle of town.
• Kampala Serena – we’ve got stayed in numerous Serena properties and at all times had a superb keep, so we’re pleased to suggest this 4* resort. That includes a big swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms, and on-site eating places, this resort would make an excellent base for exploring town
• Sheraton Kampala – This 5-star Sheraton resort is one other luxurious possibility discovered within the metropolis heart proper subsequent to the Independence Monument. It has a pool, numerous eating places, comfy air-conditioned rooms, a health heart, a sauna, and a magnificence salon.

In fact there are lots of extra choices throughout Kampala, you possibly can see an entire vary of properties at various value factors on reserving.com right here.

 

Security in Kampala

Lots of people ask is Kampala protected? That is unimaginable 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 mentioned, we’ve got personally felt fairly protected in Kampala as overseas guests on our 4 visits to town. However you do must take regular precautions for touring in a big metropolis.

The principle dangers most vacationers will face in Kampala shall be pickpockets and thieves. Needless to say a $1,000 digicam or smartphone could also be regular to you however might imply a complete lot to somebody dwelling on a number of {dollars} a day. So, it would be best to be vigilant along with your valuables and carry a minimal sum of money on you.

The chance will doubtless be increased in busier areas like crowded markets, or on a public bus. Protecting any valuables like costly jewellery, watches, smartphones, or cameras out of sight is a clever thought. If you happen to don’t want them, I’d maintain them within the resort. You’ll in all probability discover in a number of the pictures that whilst a photographer I left my large digicam at house most days and simply carried slightly compact digicam with a thick neck strap.

A cash belt, akin to this Eagle Creek one (which is the one we personal), is an effective technique to retailer cash, bank cards, resort 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. If you happen to select to put on a backpack, make certain the closures/zippers might be secured.

Having a information or becoming a member of a tour will assist scale back your danger; nonetheless, observe you continue to must be vigilant even with a information as they will’t at all times be watching you and your valuables.

If you happen to select to hire a automobile (not really useful for most individuals), keep away from leaving valuables in your automobile and park it in a safe spot at night time.

As with wherever on this planet, the chance will increase at night time, and it’s typically finest to keep away from strolling alone at night time in most areas. Taking a ride-share as a part of a bunch, or simply touring with a personal information, is probably going going to be safer.

A particular consideration for journey to Uganda needs to 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 may even face the demise penalty.

 

Language in Kampala

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

Probably the most extensively spoken language within the space is Luganda. Luganda is the language of the Baganda folks (Kampala is a part of the Buganda area, the most important of the standard kingdoms in Uganda).

Though Swahili has been made an official language, we not often heard locals talking it except chatting with guests from different East African nations. Some informed us they like to not communicate the language because it reminds them of the time of Amin and army 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 effectively with English as most individuals within the tourism business right here communicate at the very least some English. At sights and museums, the data is usually written in English.

If you happen to don’t communicate English, Swahili, or a neighborhood language akin to Luganda, it’s best to take into account hiring a information or translator to get probably the most of your time in Kampala. Or at the very least carry a superb written guidebook with you.

 

Forex in Kampala

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

The US greenback can also be typically accepted, however try to be conscious that they must be current payments in excellent form. Any sort of marking or injury to the invoice means it’s unlikely to be accepted as a result of a worry of the financial institution not accepting it. We had this occur numerous 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 accommodations and bigger eating places, however this isn’t common, so it’s finest to at all times carry some foreign money with you.

 

Well being in Kampala

As with many international locations world wide, 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 must also talk about any present suggestions for journey to Uganda, which can doubtless embrace anti-malarial remedy.

You may get malaria in Kampala though the chance is decrease than in most different elements of Uganda. Be aware that along with malaria, mosquitoes can carry and transmit numerous different illnesses so prevention is vital (insect repellent, sporting lengthy sleeves and pants, and so on.)

We additionally extremely suggest studying the well being recommendation given by your native authorities for vacationers to Uganda. You may see the U.S. CDC journey well being data and proposals to vacationers right here, and from the UK authorities right here.

Studying the well being warnings issued by governments is usually a bit scary as there have been outbreaks of some fairly critical issues like ebola, mpox (monkeypox), cholera, and yellow fever in Uganda. However simply know that these are typically small outbreaks and you aren’t prone to come into contact with them as a vacationer. However it’s best to nonetheless be educated and take needed precautions.

The principle well being challenge most travellers are prone to face goes to be an upset abdomen. This may be attributable to a wide range of issues, however is most frequently attributable to consuming or ingesting one thing with contaminated water.

With regards to water, it would be best to stick with filtered, handled, or bottled water. You’ll additionally wish to keep away from recent salads, raw greens and fruits (except you possibly can peel it), unpasteurized milk, cooked meals that aren’t served sizzling, and so on. except they’re from a good and licensed meals vendor (akin to your resort restaurant).

If you happen to’d favor to keep away from shopping for bottled water in Kampala, you possibly can learn this text on protected 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 enamel whereas in Kampala on our final journey. This made it in order that we didn’t want to purchase any bottled water.

For meals, it’s finest to attempt to eat at respected institutions the place potential. If you wish to be extra adventurous, a good suggestion is to take a meals tour like this one that we did, the place the tour information will steer you in the direction of protected dishes and take you to locations which have good hygiene requirements.

As individuals who have been sick in Uganda (more than likely from consuming recent greens on a sandwich), we extremely suggest being cautious and following the really useful tips. We had been in Uganda for a number of weeks at that time and let our guard down for a day which was a mistake that left us sick for a number of days.

 

Excursions of Kampala

There are a variety of excursions of Kampala you could take, which can give you a protected, guided expertise in Uganda’s capital metropolis. We’ve taken numerous strolling excursions in Kampala and so they had been all wonderful, with pleasant, educated guides who helped us actually perceive what we had been seeing. Listed here are some excursions we suggest.

• This meals tour, which incorporates a variety of tasty meals, from avenue meals classics by way of 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 effectively.
• That is one other tour of Kampala, which additionally visits numerous highlights within the metropolis. We haven’t personally taken this one however it’s extremely reviewed.

 

Getting On-line in Uganda

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

Nonetheless, you might be doubtless additionally going to wish to be on-line even when not in vary of a free WiFi hotspot. Most guides for instance use WhatsApp for communication, which works over the web. If you wish to use a ride-sharing service like Uber you’ll additionally want to have the ability to get on-line.

So which means you’ll want a SIM card with knowledge connectivty. Now we have used Airtel, and we purchased a SIM card from the Airtel kiosk on the arrivals corridor within the airport. There are a number of totally different carriers, however Airtel labored effectively for us and was a superb value. It additionally had the benefit that as we had been visiting a number of totally 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 cellphone helps it. We’ve used Airalo in Uganda. We frequently use Airalo once we journey (see our full Airalo assessment right here). It’s usually barely costlier than shopping for a neighborhood SIM, however will allow you to get on-line as quickly as you land and skip having to discover a SIM card and undergo the native technique of registering it.

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

 

Energy Shops / Journey Adapters for Uganda

Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Kind G plug), as one can find within the UK and numerous 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 gear shall be high quality and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.

In case you are visiting from a unique nation, akin 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 apart from elements 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 examine in case your gear helps the upper voltage. It needs to be written on the plug.

Typically, decrease powered units like cameras, laptops, and cellphone chargers assist 110v – 240v, while increased energy units like hairdryers don’t. See our information to journey adapters for extra on this matter.

 

Additional Studying

That sums up our information to issues to do in Kampala. We hope you discovered it helpful! Earlier than you head off, we needed to share some hyperlinks to different content material we expect you may discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.

• Now we have an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that can assist you plan extra of your journey.
• Now we have an in depth information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda. These are each well-liked actions for guests to Uganda and effectively value doing in our opinion
• Now we have a information to picking the finest safari digicam, and a information to getting higher pictures on safari, so you possibly can make sure you get nice recollections of your journey.
• We even have an in depth safari packing record that can assist you resolve what to carry with you
• In case you are planning on visiting Kenya, try our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our urged 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for town
• Now we have a information to getting on-line when travelling, that can assist you keep related in Uganda
• You’re going to want to energy all of your units if you journey – see our information to the finest journey adapters so you possibly can select the best one for Uganda
• If you happen to’d like a journey information, take into account the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is mostly considered the best choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and may extremely suggest this e-book because it has every thing from the historical past of the nation and it’s folks, by way of to packing suggestions, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally contains detailed data on chimp and gorilla trekking.
• Guide clever, we additionally pack and journey with each the Pocket Information: Birds of East Africa and the Pocket Information to the Mammals of East Africa. These are each very conveniently sized and can allow you to establish loads of what you see on a go to to any east African nation.

And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful. You probably have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.