Kampala

Kampala, the City of Seven Hills, is the capital city of Uganda and is, by a very large margin, the largest city in the country. Secondary to it is Jinja to the east and Entebbe to the south. Kampala is in the south central part of Uganda, near the northern shores of Lake Victoria.

Understand

The people of Kampala, and Ugandans in general, are very kind, friendly and approachable.

Kampala, with a population of approximately 1.7 million, and 6.7 million in the metro area (2019), is by far the largest city in Uganda. Although a smaller city with less suburban sprawl than Nairobi or Lagos, the traffic jams and pollution can be every bit as bad. If you are travelling around the city, plan your days carefully to avoid spending many hours in the city traffic.

Uganda, as the recipient of massive amounts of Western aid money, hosts many non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Most of these are based in Kampala, so there is an established expat scene in the city.

Climate

Kampala
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       71     29 18       54     29 18       119     29 18       174     28 18       124     27 18       66     27 18       56     27 17       91     27 17       106     28 17       126     28 18       152     27 18       86     28 18 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Source:w:Kampala#Climate
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       2.8     83 64       2.1     85 65       4.7     84 65       6.9     82 65       4.9     81 64       2.6     80 64       2.2     80 63       3.6     81 63       4.2     82 63       5     82 64       6     81 64       3.4     82 64 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

A facet of Kampala's weather is that it features two annual wetter seasons. While the city does not have a true dry season month, it experiences heavier precipitation from August to December and from February to June. However, it is between February and June that Kampala sees substantially heavier rainfall per month, with April typically seeing the heaviest amount of precipitation at an average of around 169 millimetres (6.7 in) of rain.

Heritage

UNESCO site Kasubi Tombs

The Kasubi Tombs, the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas (kings of Buganda), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site partially damaged by fire in 2010.

Tourist information

• Visit Kampala website

Get in

Entebbe Airport

By plane

When coming to Kampala by air, you will actually arrive in the city of Entebbe, 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Kampala.

You can get from Entebbe airport to Kampala:

• By Private Hire taxi (approx USh 75,000 one way)
• By the Pineapple Express - Via Kampala and Jinja - (US$10-22) - http://www.entebbejinjashuttle.com/
• By the Airport express bus. http://entebbeairportexpress.com USh 30,000 has ten trips per day both ways.
• By Boda-Boda/shared taxi (matuta) (approx USh 7000 one way), this requires you to get the short distance (4 km) from the airport to Entebbe city on a Boda-Boda =USh 3500. you will need to walk from the airport to the airport gate to get a Boda-Boda. then Matuta from Entebbe to Kampala =USh 3500.
• By hotel shuttle (e.g. if you have a reservation with Sheraton ask for their shuttle - USh 39,000 added to your hotel bill, for one-way trip if shared -chances are very high there are other hotel guests arriving on your flight).

By rail

Discussions on improving the railway service within Uganda has dragged on for years, with the massive project to build a new semi-high speed railway from neighboring Kenya stalled. However as of 2024 some progress on renovating the 100-year-old metre-gauge network has been made. Passenger services are still limited to commuter trains from Namanve, in the eastern suburbs of Kampala, and from Port Bell. The national operator Uganda Railways Corporation has promised to launch intercity trains, but nothing has materialized so far.

• 1 Kampala railway station. (updated Dec 2019)

Get around

There are three methods of public transport: boda-bodas, matatu and special hires.

By boda-boda

The fastest and most dangerous method is the boda-boda: motorcycles that you see all over the city. You won't be in Kampala long before being propositioned by a boda driver. If you're not interested, a simple 'no' will get them to leave you alone. You can get most anywhere on the back of one for USh 2000-5000, but make sure to agree on the fare before the ride begins.

Boda-bodas are extremely dangerous as their riders will do whatever it takes to get you to your destination quickly. Expect to dart in front of and against traffic and even though crowds of pedestrians when necessary. Boda-boda accidents account for most of the hospital visits and traffic fatalities in Kampala; you have been warned!

Boda Bodas

Boda-bodas got their name from the bicycle taxis that operated at some of the busy border crossing points. Buses had to discharge their passengers at the exit border control, who then had to walk to the entry border control. The distance across no man's land at some borders can be considerable. Hence the bicycle taxis would cry "boda-boda" (a corruption of the English "border to border") to the weary travellers. These bicycle taxis can still be found in most smaller Ugandan towns, however, in Kampala they have been replaced by motorcycles. Boda-bodas charge USh 3000-5000 for trips within Kampala (foreigner price; correct at July 2011). It is almost impossible to get anywhere for under USh 2000, and longer trips may run you up to USh 7000.

In-app Boda-Boda rides around Kampala are focusing more on passenger safety with the introduction of the mobile App-Based motorcycle transport service providers who are trained, more professional and have helmets for passengers. The rides are ordered in the app and fares are shown before confirming the request. Most service providers allow payments via the app or cash payments. These app-based boda-boda service providers in and around Kampala include SafeBoda, Uber, Bolt,

By matatu

Matatus are a series of minibuses that follow relatively pre-set routes all over the city and many other parts of the country. Confusingly, they are known as taxis in Uganda. It might be a bit confusing in the beginning how to use the matatus to efficiently get where you want to go, but it's not so difficult.

Their routes usually go between the city centre and some suburb. The majority of matatus to/from the suburbs leave/finish inside or around the 1 old taxi park.  Some, e.g. those going along Ggaba road to Kabalagala, Kansanga, Bbunga, Ggaba and Munyonyo, leave inside the 2 Cooper Complex.  This can be hard to find since that's basically inside a shopping mall. Other matatus leave directly from the streets around the old taxi park or farther away up to Kampala road, and some leave from the 3 new taxi park.  Although that park is mainly reserved for matatus and larger buses going further out to all corners of Uganda and neighbouring countries.

A matatu and boda bodas in Kampala

Matatus will stand in the park until they are full, something that normally takes less than 15 minutes, but can take over half an hour (or even over one hour late at night or on Sundays). Matatus that leave the area around the park are hence full, which makes it difficult to hop on a matatu at other places in the city centre. Unless you're very lucky, you'll have to go to where the matatus start in order to leave the city centre.

Each matatu has a driver and a conductor. Don't be frightened if you can't understand what they're saying. Ask one of them for your destination and you'll be told yes or no. When you get in, expect to be squeezed. Each vehicle is licensed to carry 14 people, but they will pack in as many will fit (and their belongings). If you don't like this it's a good idea to sit in the back of the vehicle, since usually the squeezing is limited to the first 2 rows. Once the matatu starts moving people can get off at any time. When you reach your destination, tell your conductor "Stage" and they will stop the van.

Whenever a matatu has empty space the driver will go slowly and honk repeatedly. If you want to get on, just make some gesture and it will slow further down and shout out the destination, just shout your destination as response and they will pick you up if it's along the way. There are often also a number of further staging points along the way where the driver will again stop and wait until they can fill the vehicle. This can take a few seconds or several minutes; just be patient. In some cases drivers won't take you if you only go relatively short distances, since that will mean they'll risk losing money if they can't fill your place quickly once you're dropped. You pay the conductor when you exit, although some people give the conductor money while the vehicle is moving so that he can make change ahead of time. The normal fare is USh 500-1,500 per person when driving into the city (November 2015).

Going with a matatu is generally cheap, safe, slow and nice. Ugandans are often happy to start up a conversation or help you out, and if the conductor tries to overcharge you or make you take an inefficient route, passengers are likely to point that out to you and scold him. People also complain if a driver takes too long to wait for passengers or drives recklessly and will even collectively quit the van in protest if a driver drives too badly.

By special hire

If you aren't up for the thrill of the bodas and don't have time for a matatu, taxis, also called special hires, are readily available at most central locations. A few taxis have meters, but most have not. Be sure to agree on the fare before you get in the car or you may be in for a nasty shock. Don't be afraid to haggle either; most destinations can be reached for USh 15,000 or 20,000.

Yellow taxi company is reliable, offering 24-hour service, phone +256 713 133 331, with fixed prices: USh 10,000 for trips within Kampala; USh 60,000 for trips to/from the airport. Prices as of December 2010. They also have an allocated single taxi rank space outside Nakumat.

Ride hailing apps like Bolt and Uber work in Kampala.

Car rental

Several agencies offer car rental, with or without driver. While self-driving in Kampala may not seem tempting, car rental is a great option to explore the rest of the country. Upon request, most businesses can get you safely out of Kampala before handing over the keys.

By city bus

Large city buses that run on fix routes. This mode of transport is still limited but some buses run along Jinja Road, which has some designated bus stops. All the city buses start at Constitutional square on Kampala road. The fare is USh 1000.

One city bus goes to and from Constitutional Square past Acacia mall, and one bus goes to and from Constitutional Square past Lugogo Mall.

See

• 1 National Theatre (Uganda National Cultural Centre), De Winton St (next to Parliament), ☏ +256 414 254 567, culture@uncc.co.ug. A big cultural centre with a theatre that also hosts dance shows/lessons/events, comedy, films, concerts, jam sessions, improv and discussion nights. The current program can be found at the entrance or on-line . There's also a library, a restaurant and a large African Crafts Village with dozens of shops selling souvenirs, crafts, and also some stuff that is more artsy then all the stuff you can find everywhere else. Worth visiting.  
• 2 Nommo Gallery, Victoria Ave (next to State Lodge, 400m north-northwest from Sheraton Hotel), ☏ +256 414 254 567, culture@uncc.co.ug. Uganda’s National Art Gallery. Calm, spacious, green oasis in the middle of the city with art exhibitions (paintings and sculptures that can be bought) and two restaurants frequented by government employees.  
• 3 Uganda Museum (Uganda National Museum), Kira Rd (4km north of city centre, to the west of Kololo hill behind the golf course), ☏ +256 414 267 538. Daily 10:00-18:00. A natural history museum, with some static displays commencing from the stone age and moving forward to Ugandan traditional life. Entrance: USh 5,000 (Ugandans), 10,000 (residents), 15,000 (non-Ugandans) - May 2019.  
• 4 Uganda National Mosque (Gaddafi National Mosque), Old Kampala Hill (on top of the hill next to the new taxi park). Big, beautiful modern mosque commissioned by Muammar Gaddafi, the ex-Libyan despot, as a gift to Uganda and completed in 2007. Said to be second-largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Great, relatively close-up bird's-eye view of Kampala from up the minaret, though there are a lot of steps to climb. Just to the north of the mosque is Fort Lugard where the first Governor of the Protectorate, Frederick Lugard, was posted. USh 20,000 to go inside and up the minaret with a guide. (updated Jan 2020)
• 5 Bahai Temple (Bahá'í House of Worship), Kikaya Hill (8km north of city centre, probably best to take a boda-boda or taxi), ☏ +256 312 262 680, hwafrica@gmail.com. Daily 09:00-17:00. Beautiful and incredibly peaceful place. Nice view too. 
• 6 Kasubi tombs (Ssekabaka's Tombs), Kasubi Hill (5km north-west of city centre along Hoima Rd), ☏ +256 412 736 00, kabakafdtn@utlonline.co.ug. Burial ground of four Kabakas (kings) of Buganda and important place for the Baganda people. UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearly completely destroyed in a 2010 fire, but largely reconstructed with foreign aid. 
• 7 Wamala tombs (14 km (30 min) north-west of city centre along Hoima Rd, take matatu to Nansana, then boda-boda), ☏ +256 414 501 866, ucota@africaonline.co.ug. Tombs where the remains of some of the earlier Buganda kings were buried including Kabaka Ssuuna 11 (1836-1856). During his time he had 148 wives and produced 218 children! The single tomb building was also completely destroyed by fire in 2012, and has now been reconstructed. Meaning there are no original tombs left in the city. No fixed entrance fee. USh 20,000 charged by security. May be negotiable. 
• 8 Namirembe Cathedral (Buwama), Namirembe Hill (on hill 1km west of Gaddafi Mosque), namid@infocom.co.ug. By European standards, a small Anglican cathedral. Not very interesting of itself, but some views of the city. This is the fifth Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala, built around the time of World War I, after the four first were outgrown, blown down, nearly eaten by termites, and struck by lightning! (updated Jan 2020)
• 9 St Mary’s Cathedral (Rubaga Cathedral), Lubaga Hill (1 km west of Mengo Hill). Another cathedral, Catholic this time. 
• 10 Lubiri (Mengo Palace), Mengo Hill (large empty hill 1 km south of the city centre, seen from most places). Royal compound of the Kabaka/king. Historically significant place, but not much to see. The original Lubiri was destroyed in 1966 when Milton Obote took power and the Kabaka fled the country. To the west along the Lubiri Ring Road is Kabaka's Lake, a man-made body of water ordered by King Mwanga of Buganda that you can walk around or canoe in, but, whew-wee, there's a little bit of a stink problem from sewage going directly into it. Cost to enter the lake area is USh 500.  
• 11 Parliament of Uganda, Parliament avenue (from the taxi parks walk east along Kampala/Entebbe Rd until you reach Parliament Ave). Designed to represent the whole country and with visitors/tourists in mind; eg, look at the gate with the symbols of Uganda's different tribes or the giant carved wood art covering the lobby walls. 
• 12 Independence Monument, Speke Rd/Nile Ave (between Grand Imperial and Sheraton hotels). Small monument, but of large symbolic importance.  
• 13 Shri Sanatan Dharma Mandal Temple, 10 Snay Bin Amir Rise, ☏ +256 41 4256036. M-Sa 06:00-12:30, 16:00-20:00 daily, closed Su. A longstanding Hindu temple in Kampala where the emphasis is on Lord Shiva. (updated Jun 2021)
• 14 Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Namugongo, Naalya-Namugongo Rd (about 9 mi from Kampala CBD), ☏ +256 392179039. 08:30-18:00 daily. Shrine to the 32 men who were burned to death on order of King Mwanda II of Buganda in 1886 for refusing to renounce Christianity back in turbulent colonial times. (updated Aug 2020)

Do

Inside the city

• Sunday boda boda tour around town. Go on a Sunday morning, when streets are largely empty in stark contrast to other days, to cruise around the city on a boda-boda, get a feel for the different parts of the city and see lots of stuff in little time: Like the docks, beaches and fish markets at Ggaba or Port Bell, all the wonderful hills providing great views and nice buildings on top, and the extreme contrasts between different neighbourhoods. For an extra trustworthy driver use one associated with the place you stay at and make them arrange an extra helmet. USh 20,000-30,000 will last you a couple of hours. 
• 1 Speke resort Munyonyo (Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort) (11 km south-east of city center along Ggaba road and right before reaching Ggaba beach. Matatus go there from the Cooper Complex.), ☏ +256 414 227 111, +256 417 716 000, spekeresort@spekeresort.com. Speke is a very posh resort where rich people stay, but during the weekends it also serves as a recreational place for Kampala's aspiring middle class (especially the younger generation). There is ample of space to play volleyball or football, and there is a large well-kept pool (large enough to actually swim in) with an adjacent gym and squash courts. The park is also a good place to go for nice, relatively private but 100% secure romantic evening walks along the shores of Africa's largest lake. Just hanging around the resort gardens is free, USh 10,000 to enter the pool area and gym (if you're not staying there). 
• 2 Book safari directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kira Road (use phone, normally no need to go to there physically), ☏ +256 414 355000, +256 312 355000, info@ugandawildlife.org. Arrange park entry, gorilla trekking and other tours directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It does have some of its own safari packages and can provide assistance (information, guides, vehicles) to people wanting to organize a safari more independently. 
• Book safari through a tour operator. Normally done via internet/phone/mail, but sometimes it can be convenient to visit the operators offices to arrange details or make payments. 
• Hakuna Matata Safaris, Bugolobi, ☏ +256782997991, hakunamatatasafaris@gmail.com. Offering both budget and luxury tour options, Hakuna Matata Safaris is a unique East African company that operates to all national parks, game reserves, mountains and island destinations in Rwanda, Uganda, Congo, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania From Kampala city. It also offers tour to Jinja to visit the source of Nil River (updated Apr 2016)

• 3 Ndrere Centre, Plot 4505 Kira Rd, Ntinda - Kisaasi Rd, ☏ +256414597704. Dinners and performances (tribal dance) by the Ndere Troupe. Best to check website for times. USh 50,000. (updated Aug 2020)

Lake Victoria Beaches

Remember there is a risk for shistosomiasis in the Great Lakes of Africa.

• 4 Ggaba Beach and KK Beach. At KK Beach, live music, drinks, food, huts, sunset views, security. USh 5,000. (updated Aug 2020)
• 5 One Love Beach. Music, boat rides, food. Maybe you'll be able to see Bulingugwe Island. (updated Aug 2020)
• 6 Latembe Beach. Beach and pool and boat rides out on the lake available. (updated Aug 2020)

Farther away

Both Entebbe and Jinja can be easily reached from Kampala in around an hour in reasonable traffic, so day trips to these cities and the activities surrounding them are possible from Kampala. Most excursions and safaris farther away will involve overnight stays. The closest real safaris are in Murchison Falls National Park and Lake Mburo National Park, about 4 hours away.

• Go for a safari in one of Ugandas national parks or game parks listed at Uganda#Other_destinations.

Around Entebbe

• Excursion to Entebbe to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where you can watch chimps being fed, which is even more entertaining than it sounds. Boats leave from near the zoo at 9AM and 1PM, price is US$70, for 4-hour round trip.
• Visit the Zoo, beaches and Botanical Gardens in nearby Entebbe, (40 min. on Boda motorcycle taxi, USh 15-20,000).

Around Jinja

• Bungee jump dipping your head in the headwaters of the Nile, near Jinja.
• Jet-Boating on the Nile, up and down some of the smaller rapids.
• Do an ATV safari along the headwaters of the Nile, driving through various small towns.

Buy

Large parts of Uganda are well suited for agriculture and as a result Kampala has some very large and diverse food and agriculture markets. Traditional handmade tools, arts and crafts are also big. However there are also several large western style malls and supermarkets (e.g. Shoprite from South Africa, Carrefour from France. If you're in the market for souvenirs, check out the Exposure Africa Crafts Village on Buganda Road or the slightly larger Uganda Arts & Crafts Village behind the National Theatre, near the Garden City complex. Also on Buganda Road across the street from the craft market you find a number of tailors if you are looking to have clothes sewn. And if you're tired from shopping the (upscale) cafe 1000 Cups of Coffee is a relaxing Mzungu hangout.

Kampala Market

• 1 Owino market (in city center close to the taxi parks, just south of the Nakivubo Stadium). Owino market is one of the largest in this region of Africa. The endless booths that line the chaotic alleys of Owino offer a mind-boggling array everything from homemade irons, to Western hand-me-down-clothes with charity shop price tags still on, to an amazing array of African foods, to any and everything else under the sun. Everything at Owinio starts cheap and gets cheaper with bargaining. Owino was completely destroyed by fire mid-February 2009, but has since been reopened. Owino is near the centre of Kampala, and any Boda or taxi driver will know how to get you there. Come prepared for a crowded maze of goods and people. 

Nakasero Market

• 2 Nakasero market (between Old Taxi Park, Kampala Road and Entebbe road). A lot smaller and more pleasant than Owino, good for fruit and veg. More accessible from Kampala road and better suited for a (relaxed) stroll. 
• 3 Exposure Africa Crafts Village, Buganda Road. African arts and crafts village with dozens of stalls. 
• 4 Uganda Arts & Crafts Village, National Theatre (behind National theatre). African arts and crafts village with dozens of stalls. 
• 5 Garden City. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Owino is Garden City. and if you are in the market for an Internet cafe, a Forex bureau, coffee shop, an expensive pair of shoes, a travel agent, a cinema, also has a capital shoppers supermarket. and more under the same roof, then Garden City is for you. Garden City can be a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Kampala. 
• 6 Uganda Crafts 2000 Ltd., Plot 32-36 Bombo Road (Heading towards Wandegeya from City Square, Uganda Crafts is in the basement shop of the DLCO-EA building, between Teacher's House and Bible House.), ☏ +256 414 250 077. 09:00 - 18:00. Uganda Crafts, Uganda's oldest fair trade craft shop, has been working with disadvantaged artisans since 1983. They are known for their baskets, but also stock lots of traditional Ugandan products, including musical instruments, jewellery, batiks, carvings and bark cloth items. They also carry products from Kenya, Rwanda, and the Congo. They are certified fair trade by the International Fair Trade Association, which means that they pay their artisans promptly and fairly. 
• 7 Kasumba Square Mall. Kasumba Square Mall is at the edge of Kampala west at the intersection of Busega Round about and Northern bypass highway, This mall was developed as to alleviate congestion and to deliver goods and services to the community as Kampala is becoming congested city due to rapid population growth.  
• Acacia Mall, Acacia Avenue. (next to the British Embassy). Has a Century Cinema with a ticket price of USh 10,000 on a Monday. Also has a Shoprite Hypermaket (updated Nov 2015)

Supermarkets

• 8 Carrefour Hypermarkets., Lugugo Mall, Acacia Mall & Village Mall. 09:00-21:00. biggest supermarket Chain in Uganda. has online shopping. 
• Mega Standard Department Stores & Supermarkets, Burton Street (Near old taxi park in central Kampala). 08:00-20:00. Has six floors, and sells 60% of local-made produce. Mega standard now also have a department store and supermarket in the Oasis mall. (updated Sep 2015)
• Senana shopping centre and hypermarket Buganda road central Kampala. Open 08:00-19:00. Has large supermarket and department store.
• Capital shoppers, Garden city mall. 7am-8pm. a chain of Supermakets all over Kampala. (updated Jul 2023)

Eat

There are a number of dining options in Kampala ranging from the cheap and local to the very fancy (and very expensive).

Budget

Everywhere you go you'll see signs for little hole-in-the-wall restaurants (including some called "pork joints"). Most of these places don't have menus, so you'll have to ask what's available. Common options include meat (usually beef), rice, beans, Matoke (steamed green bananas, served mashed). Common dishes that can be found in most of the city restaurants and in the country side are fish and chips, and chicken and chips. These meals vary in servings and will cost between USh 4500-9000. Be sure to ask the price ahead of time so that you don't get surprised later on. Prices are typically USh 500 per item, but can vary. Sodas and bottled water will cost more too. Matoke with groundnut sauce can be delicious!

For a street snack, the famous "Rolex" is very enjoyable. It is made out of a chapati (kind of a pancake) wrapped around an omelette, with cabbage and tomatoes. Expect to pay USh 700-1000. Other street food includes roast chicken, goat and beef. This is usually served with chips or a salad or both. Pricing is per piece USh 2000-4500. If you are looking for something healthier but still want to enjoy the experience of roadside eating, the best bargain is with roasted corn or maize. The white maize is slow roasted on a charcoal grill and is available for USh 500-600 per cob. Freshness is guaranteed as maize is a common plant found throughout Uganda. Usually the vendors will have a stall close to a source of maize plantation.

• 1 Great Wall (Chinese Restaurant), Plot 21 Kampala Rd, ☏ +256 712 937 148. Daily noon-10:30PM. Owned by Chinese from Beijing, this clean and comfortable restaurant serves big portions of tasty, classic dishes. Menu is in English and simplified Chinese (with strange character mistakes - I suppose 15 years away is a long time). There is a ceiling fan and service is attentive, polite and extremely rapid by Ugandan standards. If you've got a bony bum, bring a cushion. Fried rice with chicken USh 8000, sweet & sour pork USh 13,000. 
• Govindas, ovo-lacto vegetarian, in Dewinton Road near Nakumat, offers thali at USh 15000 at lunchtime, and a full menu of Indian dishes. Popular with local Indian community. hey also serve vegetarian pizzas and sandwiches. A reasonable variety of Indian Sweets is available too.
• Makere University Food Technology department, offers a tasty "local food" lunch, at USh 7000.

Mid-range

Jinja Road is a good place for a variety of meals.

• Garden City. The food court at this shopping center offers a wide variety of options including Lebanese, Italian, Indian, and more. There are particularly good masala dosas served in the food court. Unlike a traditional food court, you order from a menu and a waiter brings food to your table. There is a good Indian restaurant named Nawab on the roof of Garden City, and a steak restaurant that's quite good.
• Cafe Javas, Oasis Shopping Plaza (next to Garden City) Expat and local hangout. Flawless service. Great breakfasts and wonderfully rich coffee. Free wireless internet. Opens at 6AM and stays open late.
• 2 Fang Fang (Chinese Restaurant), Roof Terrace, Communication House, Plot 1, Colville St (Enter the Communications Tower government office block and, after passing through the security check, take the steps to the first floor.), ☏ +256 414 344 806, fax: +256 414 250 422, reservations@fangfang.co.ug. Large, plush, well furnished place with many private side and meeting rooms. Well stocked bar. Authentic menu and cuisine. 6 piece per plate starter, vegetable USh 16,800, meat USh 19,800, prawns USh 29,800; crab in ginger & garlic sauce USh 65,800. 
• 3 Pizza or BBQ night at the Red Chilli Hideaway, Butabika (10km east of city centre along Port Bell road and then left, at lake 500m from Butabika Hospital), ☏ +256 772 509 150. 6-9PM. Even if you're not staying there it might be interesting to spend an evening at this backpacker hangout and get some good travel tips from fellow travellers or listen to stories of some avid backpackers and cross-Africa (motor)bike/car drivers. 

Splurge

• The Lawns Restaurant & Lounge Bar, ☏ +256 414 250337, reservation@thelawns.co.ug. Plot 34, Impala Avenue, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kololo, Kampala. Features a wide variety of fusion delights from all across continent. Only restaurant in Uganda offering full range of game meat. Starters range from USh 14,000 to 25,000. Main course range from USh 18,000 to 40,000. The wines includes South African and a number of European selections, ranging from USh 30,000 to 150,000. This has a fantastic ambiance, and the food is amazing. 
• Paradise: Sheraton Kampala. Features a variety of Indian and continental dishes. Main course range from USh 20,000 to 40,000. The wines includes South African and a number of European selections, ranging from USh 40,000 to 150,000.
• Serena Hotel: just down the hill from the Sheraton. A variety of South Asian and African dishes prepared with flair. A complete meal for two will run to about USh 200,000, excluding alcohol.
• Khana Khazana, this is one of the best (more expensive) Indian restaurants: It is on Acacia Avenue, up from the Protea Hotel, in Kololo.
• Mamba Point: this is one of the best (more expensive) Italian places. The address is 22 Akil Bua Road-Nakasero: 031-256-3000. Be sure to go to the Italian restaurant on Akil Bua Road, not the pizzeria on Lumumba Avenue although it is one of the best in town.
• Kayali Restaurant & Lounge, 7a Yusuf Lule Rd. Some little victuals. +256 787 205949
• Fang Fang Chinese Restaurant: one of the best Chinese places. There are two in Kampala: one with an attached hotel (nearer to the Sheraton) and open to outdoors (so don't forget to wear insect spray). They keep two white rabbits that hop on the grass in the main patio area and will put up with children petting them if you feed them a carrot or cucumber. The second Fang Fang is in central Kampala at Communications House; they have indoor seating and a roof terrace.

There are many Indian restaurants in Kampala, like Haandi on Kampala road, Masala chat and Govinda on Dewington Road, Khana Khazana and Khyber Pass Speke Hotel behind NSSF, and Indian Summer in Tankhill Parade.

• Biyani House Uganda, Plot No. 16, Acacia Avenue (Opposite Insomnia/Bubble,), ☏ +256 758 935 839, biryanihouseuganda@gmail.com. 10AM-midnight. Offers a happy hour. 2500 UGX onwards. (updated Feb 2018)
• The Bistro. 

Drink

Drink only bottled water - spring water brands like Rwenzori and Blue Wave can be trusted - or tap water that has been boiled/treated appropriately.

Alcohol

If you feel like going out, go out, you should be safe, just exercise common sense. Ugandans are very sociable. Kampala's nightlife centers around the neighborhoods Bukoto and Kabalagala. Several clubs are also in the Industrial area (e.g. along 1st/6th Street) and along Kampala Road plus Acacia Avenue. Popular clubs are Club Silk, Venom Club, Club Amnesia, Casablanca, Cayenne Restaurant and Lounge, the Mask Lounge Club and Ange Noir. Going out clubbing in Kampala can be very expensive.

• 1 Evening out in Kabalagala (3 km south-west from city center along Ggaba road, many matatus go there). Kabalagala is an area with many bars and restaurants that is very lively at night and popular both amongst locals and expats. Go there, have fun and get to know some locals, but keep in mind that some girls (not the majority) are actually there to work. Kabalagala has everything from shabby waragi shacks to fancy establishments like Club Venom at the top of Tirupati Mazima Mall. 
• 2 Evening out in Bukoto (around Bukoto-Kira Road, north of Kololo hill). Bukoto began as a purely residential suburb, but is now spawning many popular nightlife spots. Good alternative to Kabalagala and less mzungus than further down along Acacia Avenue. 
• 3 Expat night at Bubbles O’Leary’s (across the golf course away from city center, left on Acacia Avenue), ☏ +256 31 2263815. Bubbles is an Irish pub in Kampala that serves as the main expat hangout (along with several other places along Acacia Avenue). Go there to get some (shocking) insights into the giant industry that is NGOs, aid and volunteering in Uganda. 
• 4 Clubbing in the Industrial Area. Some very fancy clubs with steep prices, others more normal, lots of showing off, students enjoying themselves, dance floors fill easily, good dancing, some old mzungu men, hookers, ... partly bizarre but in the end the same as everywhere else around the world. The popular Club Silk, Ange Noir and T1 are on First Street. Several other clubs are on 6th Street. 
• 5 The Lawns Restaurant & Lounge Bar, Impala Avenue, Kololo (on south-eastern slope of Kololo hill, close to where airstrip ends). Good if you want a quiet and tranquil environment. The Lawns offers beautiful garden lounge bar. Try their wide range of cocktails or wine with amazing starters. 

Uganda does, however, have a serious drink problem with the UN saying it has the highest alcohol consumption rate in the world, much of this is sold on backstreets, hence official figures don't rate it so highly. Don't let this put you off, the city is still safe even with this undesired tag.

Coffee and juice

• Cafe Javas. Good chain that is at several locations around the city. Has working Wi-Fi. Midrange pricing. 
• 6 1000 Cups Coffee House, Buganda Road (across the road from the craft market), ☏ +256 772 505 619, +256 782 544 313. Upscale coffee shop popular amongst mzungus. Serving several regional varieties of coffee, American style. 

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Already 2. Small guest house (7 rooms). Self contained rooms with own bathroom. Mosquito nets. No WiFi. Single from USh 25,000, double from USh 30,000. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 ABC Plaza, Martin road. Modern building. Self contained, spacious rooms with own bathroom. Very busy road during rush hour. Single from USh 30,000. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Lusam Inn Resthouse, Namirembe road, ☏ +256772514773. Double room with own bathroom a walk uphill from the Taxi Park. USh 35,000. (updated Apr 2015)
• 4 Heights City Annex, 7, De Winton road (opposite National Theatre), ☏ +256 414254132. Check-out: 10:00. Cheapest rooms with outside bathroom. Mosquito nets. No WiFi. Relatively quiet road. Night time security at the entrance. Near the bus offices for buses going to Kenya. Single from USh 20,000, double from USh 40,000. (updated Oct 2021)
• Marie Hotel, Martin road (just off Namirembe road), ☏ +256 392961139. USh 35,000. (updated Apr 2015)
• Kawanda Country Inn, off Bombo road (near Mo-Petro). Check-in: 08:00, check-out: 10:00. Fan double room with own bathroom and TV and free breakfast. from USh 35,000. (updated Aug 2015)
• Hotel Harambe, Plot 14-18 Nakivubo Place Road (2nd floor venus Plaza.). Check-in: 07:00, check-out: 11:00. Twin/double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Has free WiFi. US$15. (updated Sep 2015)
• Tuhende Safari Lodge, Martin Road, ☏ +256 772-468360. Has a dorm with 3 beds per dorm. USh 18,000 per person.. (updated Oct 2015)
• Hotel City Square, Plot 42 Kampala road (Constitution Square.), ☏ +256 781 433483. single/double rooms with own bathroom. Internet and breakfast. USh 60,000/70.000. (updated Apr 2015)
• Selam Restaurant and Lodge, Ggaba road Kansanga (150m behide Kampala Int University.). Single rooms. USh 15,000.. (updated Apr 2015)
• Hotel Olympia, off Ggaba road (Kansanga), ☏ +256 414-266743. US$15. (updated Apr 2015)
• Mother Theresa Guest House, Ismail Road. Mbuya. Kampala (off the new Port Bell road), ☏ +256 700296379. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Very clean single/double rooms with own bathroom. single USh 30,000, double USh 50,000. (updated May 2015)
• Royal Arch Inn Guest House, 547 Mutebi Road, ☏ +256-414345088. Check-in: 24 hours. Double rooms. Has hot water, and TV. USh 25,000. (updated Jun 2015)
• Palm Gardens and Guest House, Gayaza Road off Msisi road Makindye. Check-in: 08:00, check-out: 10:00. Single room with own bathroom, net, TV. The hotel has 13 rooms. from USh 35,000. (updated Jul 2015)
• Tagy Hotel Plot 6b Martin Road. single/double rooms with own bathroom. USh 30,000/40,000.

Backpacker hostels

All of the backpacker hostels in Kampala set prices in US dollars at USh 3750 to one.

• Fat Cat Backpackers, 13 Bukoto Street, ☏ +256 771393892. Dorm beds. Breakfast included in the price. US$15 per dorm bed.. (updated Apr 2015)
• Red Chilli Hideaway, 13-23 Bukasa Hill view road Butabika, ☏ +256 772509150. Dorm beds. Has a swimming pool. US$12 per dorm bed. (updated Mar 2017)
• Kampala Backpackers Hostel and Campsite, kampala Natete road lungujja (about 3 km from down town Kampala), ☏ +256 414274767. Camping. Dorm beds. Single/double rooms. A long 3-km walk up hill from the city centre. The Backpackers is more like a bar than a backpackers place. The rooms look run down. Camping US$7. Dorm bed $10. Single room $15. Double room $25. (updated Oct 2015)
• Ewaka Guest House and Backpackers, 8/9 Salim bey road (Ntinda new market Ntinda town), ☏ +256 755925966. Camping, dorm bed, sharing a bathroom, double room sharing a bathroom. Camping US$5. Dorm bed $10. Room $20.. (updated Mar 2017)
• 5 Bushpig backpacker's, 31 John Babiha (Acacia) Ave, ☏ +256 7722 85234. Dorms, private rooms. Nice bar to have a meal, hang out, or listen to live local music. Bed in a 4-bed dorm $15. (updated May 2023)

Mid-range

• 6 Grand Imperial Hotel, ☏ +256 41 4311048. One of the oldest hotels in Uganda, dating back to the colonial era. Services lack compared to other nearby hotels, it's still a good choice for lodging the city centre. (updated Dec 2021)
• Prestige Hotel Suites, Plot 9 Lumumba Avenue, Nakasero, info@prestigehotelsuites.com. Air-conditioned suites with a swimming pool, bar, lounge, free parking and 24-hour reception. Fast free on-site Wi-Fi available. From US$80. 
• Protea Hotel Kampala, Kololo. 35 km from Entebbe Airport, the brand new Protea Hotel Kampala offers 4-star luxury and 5-star service. 59 rooms and 11 suites, all en-suite and air-conditioned; restaurant, bar, satellite television, air-con. Close to gym, tennis and squash courts, etc. Also includes a business centre, wireless internet throughout, currency exchange, 24-hour room service and Reception.
• Hotel Africana, Plot 2-4 Wampewo Ave, ☏ +256 414 777500. Well-established hotel with lots of parking, swimming pool, gym, Wi-Fi, apartments; near a large shopping mall but can be noisy on a concert/wedding weekend. Only hotel with its own mosque. 
• Hotel Ruch. Central location right next to the Sheraton. Well-maintained bed & breakfast hotel with nice gardens and a bar. On-site Wi-Fi available. from US$50. 
• Fang Fang Hotel on Ssezibwa Road in Kampala has clean rooms, air-con available, hot running water, a great Chinese restaurant on the premises (with nice garden seating), and is not overpriced. Recommended. Centrally located near UWA offices.
• Aminaz Garden Place (In Kololo). Very good, clean and safe accommodation 
• Golf Course Apartments, in Kololo. Not to be confused with pricier Golf Course Hotel which is fairly nearby. Very comfortable apartments around £100 per night. Offers swimming pool, gym, sauna, tennis court, garden. Kitchens fully equipped for self-catering. Daily maid service, cleaning, laundry. Pleasant green environment away from traffic noise. Discounts for certain NGOs and other organisations reduce rooms to $80 per night. Stays of one month or more prices reduce to US$1800 (non discount) or £1525 (discounted). Prices correct December 2010.
• Speke Hotel, City Center, in City Center. One of the earliest hotels in Kampala, and very different from the upscale Speke Resort in Munyonyo. It is on a busy street where prostitutes ply their trade at night. The rooms are clean with wooden floors and clean toilets, AC, free Wi-Fi, but it tends to be spartan, and isn't posh by any stretch. The hotel has a pizzeria, Indian restaurant (Khyber Pass), A pub/bar Rock Garden Cafe. There is an Crane Bank ATM inside the hotel (may work, but most international cards will need to use the Barlays a few minutes walk away). Prices start from around US$120 per day.
• 7 Shangri-la Hotel, Plot 8/10 Ternan Avenue, Nakasero (right across from the Sheraton Hotel), ☏ +256 772222623. Budget place with breakfast and pool close to the Independence monument and other central attractions. USh 132,106. (updated Aug 2020)

Splurge

• Golf Course Hotel, Plot 64-86, Yusuf Lule Road, reservation@golfcoursehotel.com. This hotel next to the Garden City Complex offers huge rooms and apartments, modern facilities, a large and fancy pool and very relaxing views of the tropic golf course. 
• 8 Kampala Serena Hotel, Kintu Road, ☏ +256-414-309000, kampala@serena.co.ug. Another five-star hotel just further down the road from the Sheraton. Offers modern and spacious rooms. Swimming pool, large garden, a health club and also several restaurants and bars are all on the hotel premises. The hotel is also close to the popular shopping malls at Yuseuf Lule road. From US$150 per night.  
• 9 Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Ternan Avenue, ☏ +256-31-2322499. Renovated, the Sheraton is the leading high-end hotel in town, occupying extensive nicely manicured grounds.  
• 10 Speke Resort, ☏ +256-414-227-111. In Munyonyo, about 10 km from the city centre by the shores of Lake Victoria, and not to be confused with the Speke Hotel (above). An excellent getaway from city life. You'll find plenty of animals around (and often in) the resort. Has a large swimming pool, as well as an infinity pool by the lake. Gym, spa, and choice of restaurants with lake views. Free cable internet to rooms, but Wi-Fi only in the foyer and restaurant areas.  

Stay safe

Kampala is a relatively safe city. It is fairly safe to walk or take matatus around some areas at night, but don't take unnecessary chances. Kampala is not safe to walk around in after dark, especially if you are a white. It is assumed that all whites have money. It is also not safe to drive around, day or night, with your windows down or unlocked. Someone could reach in through the window and take your cell phone right out of your hand or open the door and take your laptop right off your lap.

Air pollution is among the worst in the world, so again, keep your windows up, doors locked and set your car button to circulate the air and not take in external air, especially if you are following a diesel powered MV.

Boda-boda motorcycle taxis are notoriously dangerous, but are sometimes so convenient it's difficult not to use them. If you do decide to use them regularly consider buying a helmet (they are not provided by the driver). Although it defies logic at first glance, you might want to consider taking a boda-boda in which the driver does not have a helmet. Drivers without helmets tend to drive slower, and as they never have helmets for the passengers, this means that you are a bit safer. With the introduction of the in-app Boda-boda riders, you can ride safer on a motorcycle in Kampala.

Don't plan on using your credit card. If it is accepted, there is a good chance of fraud. Safer is withdrawing money from ATMs using your Mastercard or Visa-card. Many ATMs take Mastercard or Visa card. Ecobank, Equity bank, Stanbic are the banks that takes MasterCard branded cards. Barclays Bank Uganda has a fee at all its ATMs for all overseas banks cards.

To stay safe, also be aware of the many prostitutes in Rock Garden at Speke Hotel. There are several stories about guys being duped, drinking beers laced with rohypnol, ending up short on cash, cell phones, credit cards and bank cheques.

Connect

Internet

In May 2013, the Sheraton Hotel had unsecured Wi-Fi. Although the connection is not particularly fast or the signal strong on the ground floor or first floor buffet breakfast restaurant, "executive floor" 4 has a strong and fast connection and comfortable sofas to the left of the lift. There's a good 360-degree view of the city from the rooftop at stop 11 of the elevator.

Internet cafes

From USh 1000 per hour.

• Linking Worlds (Quality Shopping Village) 1000 m from Entebbe Road with a fast internet connection
• KayeNet internet cafe is a chain of Internet cafes at the following locations:
• (Nakulabye) Beauty House, Plot 494 Makerere Hill Rd, Mengo, opposite Chez Johnson Hotel.
• (Nalubwama arcade) Nalubwama arcade, 1st floor- shop f1-2, Ben Kiwanuka street, opposite old taxi park.
• (Wandegeya) Plot 151, Bombo Rd, Wandegeya, opposite Stanbic bank, above Kookee supermarket.
• (Market Street) Energy Centre Building, Level 3, Shop 36, Market Street, Nakasero.

Media

Radio

• BBC World Service can be heard on FM radio 101.3MHz in central Kampala.

TV

Satellite TV is widely available in bars, hotels, restaurants, etc. Stations available include Al Jazeera, BBC World News, CNN.

Embassies and consulates

• Egypt, 33 Kololo Hill Drive, ☏ +256 414254525, fax: +256 414345152. 9AM-4PM. 
• Sweden, 24 Lumumba Avenue, ☏ +256 417 700 800, fax: +256 (0417) 700 801, ambassaden.kampala@foreign.ministry.se. 
• United States of America, Plot 1577 Ggaba Rd, kampalawebcontact@state.gov. 
  • American Citizen Services, KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov. 
• United Kingdom, 4 Windsor Loop, P. O. Box 7070, ☏ +256 312 312000, fax: +256 414 257304. M-Th 8:30AM-1PM, 2-5PM, F 8:30AM-1PM. 
• 4 Nigeria, 33 Nakasero Road, P.O. Box 4338, ☏ +256 41-423 3691, nigeria.kampala@foreignaffairs.gov.ng. M-F 8AM-5PM. (updated Aug 2024)

Go next

Any place in Uganda can be easily reached from Kampala in less than one day. Most popular destinations can be reached in less than half a days driving time, however if you use public buses, allow for some hours waiting time before the bus leaves, and sometimes the bus will get stuck in traffic when trying to leave Kampala.

• Jinja, one source of the Nile and amazing whitewater rafting can be reached in around one hour.
• Fort Portal, in the vicinity of the popular Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kibale Forest National Park and the Rwenzori National Park, can be reached in around 4 hours.
• Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi and the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be reached in around 5-6 hours.
• Driving to Gulu takes 4-5 hours by bus.
• Murchison Falls National Park also takes about that time to reach.
• Tororo, Mbale and Mount Elgon National Park can be reached in a couple of hours to less than half a day.
• Furthermore, it used to be possible to reach Ssese Islands from Port Bell in Kampala with the MV Amani, but that service seems suspended and the main ferry from Entebbe, MV Kalangala, is in prolonged repairs.
• Equator line: just go to the New taxi park and get on Kampala-Equator mini buses (USh 7000) or the Kampala-Masaka Mini buses (USh 12000). The final stop of Kampala-Equator mini buses are few meters away from the Equator line. They make u turn and head back to Kampala. It is 1.5-hour drive from Kampala. The equator line is just before the town of Kayabwe. There is water flow demonstration (a hoax) for (USh 10,000). All the mini bus drivers know when and where you should get off.

Many safari tour companies operate out of Kampala and drive their customers to the national parks, but it is also possible to arrange trips in Fort Portal for example (or go with your own car of course).

Matatus and larger buses out of Kampala leave mainly from the new taxi park. A few may still also leave from the old taxi park. There are many companies (almost 100) that run larger tour buses that leave from numerous bus terminals/stations surrounding the new taxi park, or for buses going east into Kenya at De Winton Road. You can take buses of differing sizes and quality going to all major cities in Uganda and to Juba (South Sudan, min. 12 hr), to Malaba, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya, and to Kigali (Rwanda); amongst others. Sometimes there are more or less direct buses to Tanzania (like Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Bukoba), but those lines do not seem very profitable since companies pop up and disappear quickly (TZ is not so nice with border fees/customs/trade/immigration/etc. so there is less demand for travel there combined with higher costs).

In general bus operators, schedules, prices and routes change constantly, so information found on the internet will often be out of date. If you want to go somewhere it is best to try to find a phone number where you can confirm departures or just ask around where buses going there and there leave, and go there early in the morning. Keep in mind that some companies will consistently employ bad drivers, and accidents do happen, so it is worth using a company that has a good reputation (some of which should be listed below). Also, while the minibuses (matatus) are relatively safe when traveling in Kampala's crowded and slow moving traffic, they are generally considered relatively unsafe on the fast roads in the countryside populated by heavy trucks and buses. Bigger buses are safer, especially since at least some of them are run by larger companies that care about their reputation and are better regulated/monitored by the government. An olr but comprehensive list of bus routes out of Kampala is here.

Major bus terminals/parks and companies for leaving Kampala

• 5 New taxi park.  Matatus and larger buses going everywhere!
• 6 Post bus terminal, Main post office (on Kampala Road, 200 m west from Entebbe Road), ☏ +256 412 555 115. Government-run post bus, reputed for its safety and popular among western budget tourists. Departures M-Sa 7-8AM in the morning M-Sa 
  • bus 1. Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira.
  • bus 2. Gulu,
  • bus 3. Masaka Mbarara Kabale, Kisoro,
• De winton Road, near National Theatre, is the place to get buses to/from Kenya and Tanzania.
• 7 Easy Coach, ☏ +256 776727270, +256 757727273. Departs twice daily 7AM and 6PM for Kisumu and Nairobi (7 hr, 14 hr) (March 2016). 
• Modern Coast Express. have Three buses a day to/from Kisumu and Nairobi. From Nairobi you can travel onward to Mombasa, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza.
• Mash Poa have three buses a day to/from Nairobi. From Nairobi you can travel onward to Mombasa. Mash Poa also have one bus a day from Kampala to Kigali.
• Simba Coaches have four buses a day to/from Nairobi.
• 8 Arua park.  Mainly for going north, like Gulu and Juba.
• Trinity express and Jaguar Coaches have buses to/from Kigali Rwanda.