Kampala
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Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓9 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
East Africa's oldest museum, with ethnographic and musical instrument collections.
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Allow a few hours
1 tip
- Try the traditional instruments
📷 Photos
- 2
UNESCO-listed burial ground of the Buganda kings with a thatched royal hall.
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Remove shoes where asked
- Guides share the history
📷 Photos
- 3
Pilgrimage site honouring the Uganda Martyrs executed in the 1880s.
3 tips
- Huge crowds on 3 June
- Quiet on other days
- Take a boda or taxi
📷 Photos
- 4
One of Africa's largest mosques, with a minaret offering city views.
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Climb the minaret for views
- Avoid prayer times
📷 Photos
- 5
Anglican cathedral on Namirembe Hill overlooking Kampala.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Visit on a clear day
- Sunday services are lively
- Nice sunset spot
📷 Photos
- 6
Catholic cathedral on Rubaga Hill with a striking brick facade.
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Views over the city
- Near Mengo Palace
📷 Photos
- 7
Kampala's sprawling market for clothes, shoes and everyday goods.
3 tips
- Keep valuables secure
- Go with a local if possible
- Bargain firmly
📷 Photos
- 8
Historic university with a distinctive main building and leafy campus.
3 tips
- Walk the campus grounds
- Respect students and classes
- Near Wandegeya
📷 Photos
- 9
Where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria at Jinja, a popular day trip.
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Boat trips available
- Great for rafting
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Kampala tips
Transportation
- Book bodas by app: SafeBoda, Uber and Bolt let you order motorbike taxis with a set fare, so you skip haggling with street riders.
- Ride a matatu: Kampala's white minibus taxis run fixed routes from the Old and New Taxi Parks and are the cheapest way across town.
- Leave early for Entebbe: The airport is about 40 km away and traffic can be heavy; the Entebbe Expressway saves a lot of time on the way.
Security
- Wear a helmet: Boda boda crashes are common in Kampala's traffic, so insist on a helmet and ask the rider to slow down if needed.
- Guard your phone on bodas: Snatch thefts from passengers and pedestrians happen, so keep phones and bags out of sight while moving.
- Avoid walking alone at night: Use an app taxi after dark, especially around downtown, the taxi parks and quieter residential roads.
Saving
- Eat a rolex: The chapati rolled with egg and veg is Kampala's favourite street snack, filling, cheap and cooked fresh in front of you.
- Shop at Owino: St. Balikuddembe Market is a huge maze of second-hand clothes and goods where bargaining gets you far better prices.
- Get a local SIM: An MTN or Airtel SIM with a data bundle is far cheaper than roaming and lets you use mobile money and ride apps.
Weather/Clothing
- Expect mild warmth: Kampala sits near the equator but at altitude, so days are warm and evenings pleasant all year; bring a light layer.
- Plan for two rainy seasons: Heavy showers come roughly March to May and September to November, so pack a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
- Pack sun protection: The equatorial sun is strong even on cloudy days, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for outdoor sightseeing.
Cultural
- Greet before anything: Ugandans value a proper hello; try Oli otya? in Luganda before asking a question or starting to bargain.
- Dress modestly: Smart, covered clothing is appreciated, especially at the Gaddafi Mosque, Namirembe Cathedral and Kasubi Tombs.
- Try a Ugandan plate: Matoke (steamed green bananas) with groundnut sauce is the classic local meal; luwombo stews are a festive treat.
Local Hacks
- Climb the minaret: The Gaddafi National Mosque lets visitors up its minaret for one of the best panoramic views over Kampala's hills.
- Head to Ggaba for fish: The lakeside landing site on Lake Victoria serves freshly fried tilapia and is a lively escape from the centre.
- Use mobile money: Many shops, bodas and guesthouses accept MTN MoMo or Airtel Money, which saves carrying large amounts of cash.
1-day itineraries in Kampala
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Lubaga Cathedral and around
🕘 9:30–13:45📍 4 stops
- 1Lubaga Cathedral
- 2Mengo Palace
- 3Namirembe Cathedral
- 4Gaddafi National Mosque
Day 2 of 2
Owino Market and around
🕘 9:30–13:15📍 5 stops
- 1Nakasero Market
- 2Constitutional Square
- 3Owino Market
- 4Uganda National Theatre
- 5Kabaka's Lake