Kampala

Kampala is Uganda’s busy capital, built on green hills near the shore of Lake Victoria and at the heart of the Buganda Kingdom. Many travellers rush through it on the way to the parks, but a day here explains a lot about Uganda.

Why go

With a local guide, the busy city becomes a story of kings, faith and music. You see how the Buganda Kingdom still shapes daily life, how Uganda’s Christian martyrs are remembered, and how music and dance from every region come together on one stage.

What you can do

• The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and burial place of four Kabakas, rebuilt with grass thatch and reeds by traditional craftspeople after a fire in 2010.
• The Royal Mile between the Bulange, the Buganda parliament, and the Lubiri, the royal palace at Mengo.
• Namugongo, where young Christian converts were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II; Charles Lwanga and his companions died here on 3 June 1886.
• The Baha’i House of Worship on Kikaaya Hill, dedicated in 1961 as the first Baha’i House of Worship in Africa, open to people of all faiths.
• The Uganda Museum, the minaret view at the Gaddafi National Mosque, and craft markets.
• For groups of friends and staff teams, go-karting at Meraki in Bugolobi or at Lubowa Karting on the Entebbe Road, or a longer adventure day at Extreme Adventure Park in Busiika, north of the city.

The people side

In the evening, the Ndere Troupe performs music and dance from across Uganda’s regions at the Ndere Cultural Centre, with a restaurant on site. Regular shows are reported on Sunday at 18:00 and on Wednesday and Friday at 19:00. Every 3 June, Martyrs Day, very large crowds of pilgrims gather at Namugongo, many after walking for days, which is a moving sight if you are in Kampala then.

Best time to visit

Kampala works all year. For a calm visit to Namugongo, avoid late May and early June; to feel the pilgrimage, come around 3 June.

Getting there

Kampala is 45 minutes to 1 hour from Entebbe by expressway. Traffic is heaviest from about 6:30 to 10:00 and 17:00 to 21:00, so we plan early starts.

Good to know

City touring is easy, Level 1 to 2, with short walks between sites. Please dress and behave respectfully at the tombs, shrines and places of worship.