Six Things to do in Kampala

Exploring the Pearl of Africa

May 12, 2008 Marion Grace Woolley

The capital city of Uganda is a bustling metropolis of street-food, clothes shops, globe trotters and a no-right-of-way traffic policy. What's not to love?

Whether you’re just passing through or staying for the film festival, you’ll want to sample some of its many attractions. Here are six suggestions for varying tastes. Enjoy.

To See

The Royal Tombs, Kisubi

One of Kampala’s greatest attractions. Take a guided tour inside the final resting place of Uganda’s kabakas (Kings). Unusually, Uganda’s monarchy was reinstated in 1993 after living in exile since colonial rule. The King's ancestors are encased here in a giant thatched palace with a larger family cemetery behind. You can even learn how to play the royal game of omweso, and the bark-cloth artwork on sale in the visitor’s centre will have you reaching for your wallet. Entry to the tombs costs USH 10,000 (£3/$6).

The National Museum

So okay, it’s seen better days and could use a lick of paint, but this is a proper old-school museum, the kind you went to as a kid. There’s a section on Ugandan wildlife, pre-historic artefacts and, most impressively, cultural relics including information on witchcraft in the region and traditional medicine. It also has an impressive collection of traditional musical instruments and it’s fascinating to learn that the medieval zither, associated with Elizabethan courts in England, also has its origins in East Africa! Entry costs USH 3,000 (£1/$2).

To Eat

Ciao Ciao’s Ice-Cream Parlour

Possibly the loveliest place in the city. A quiet little enclosure just off Rest Corner, Kabalagala, next to Barclay’s Bank. Around 15 flavours of ice-cream from Pineapple to Pasticcio, with chocolate sauce, wafers and sprinkles – it’s happiness in a glass. They also do a range of hot foods: pizza, sausage rolls, chips and cold beverages. At USH 500 (£0.15/$0.30) a scoop who can resist!

The Ethiopian Village

Instead of heading for the main building, turn right and enter the traditional-style dining hut. The main room is brightly lit, but if you pick a side cubby you can snuggle-up for a romantic, candle-lit dinner with some of the best Ethiopian food available in East Africa. Both the atmosphere and the service are outstanding. Situated in Muyenga, a main meal will cost in the region of USH 12,000 (£4/$8).

To Drink

The Wine Garage

Just up the road from Ciao Ciao’s at Rest Corner, Kampalagala, this is a little oasis of calm where you can pull-up a seat and watch the world go by whilst sampling a glass of red or chilled white. The buy-by-the-glass range is limited to house wines, but inside you will find an impressive range of internationals for sale, including French, Spanish, South African and Australian. A glass on the patio will cost you around USH 3,000 (£1/$2).

Silk

One of Kampala’s better-known nightclubs situated on 1st Street. It can get pretty packed and the dance floor isn't huge, but the bar is well stocked, there are pool tables, a funky psychedelic carpet, the music is good and on a Tuesday night local reggae and rap stars flaunt their stuff to the crowd. There’s even a little snack counter selling hot food if you feel peckish. Taxis gather just outside the door so you won’t have any trouble getting home.

The copyright of the article Six Things to do in Kampala in Sub-Sahara Africa Travel is owned by Marion Grace Woolley. Permission to republish Six Things to do in Kampala in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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