Kampala City : Kampala is the capital city located in the central part of Uganda. Uganda is a welcoming country for all nations whereby foreigners are welcome, society is not highly conservative and most people speak English in Kampala given that English is a national language however, since the city is in Buganda kingdom, Luganda is a secondly spoken language in Kampala especially in Market areas, taxi and the bodaboda people, so it is not hard to get to know the locals. As far as lifestyle goes, Kampala may not have the overwhelming choice of consumer items that the well developed countries do, but it does have pretty much everything you will need for a good standard of living. Uganda is a steadily growing however; it is still dealing with issues associated with poverty, corruption, lack of infrastructure, poor health provision and high unemployment. Whatever your reasons for being in Uganda are whether for business, working for a diplomatic mission, school, or religious motives, you are most likely engage with these challenges on a daily basis.
Finding your own way around a new country is quite challenging and frustrating at first however Kampala is one easily city to fit in given the good hospitality of Uganda and easy ways of accessing most areas make things easier as you get to meet people and start those all- important networks you need while staying in Kampala. Of course, not all new arrivals are so lucky, you may want to explore the city and meet people by yourself but it is recommended to take good care of your property. Kampala city is a one place of all kinds of character.
Accommodation facilities in Kampala city
Being the capital of Uganda, Kampala has great and beautiful accommodations to stay during your visit to Uganda. Accommodations range from high-end, luxury, mid-range to budget and hotels. It is at all difficult to find accommodation in Kampala for any cost you have. All the 5, 4, 3and 2 star hotels can be located in Kampala. There are hotels that are globally known for example you will find the Marriot merchandise Hotels in Uganda like the Protea Hotels, Serena hotels, and many more. Even first time visitors to Uganda will enjoy finding themselves or giving themselves the opportunity to find where to stay. If your accommodation is provided by your tour company or any other organisation, then that is great. Otherwise there are a number or property agents to help you find what you are looking for example Airbnb Uganda is a platform where you can find where to stay in Kampala.
Eating Out and Entertainment in Kampala city
Kampala city is a place of fun, enjoyment and entertainment thus it is why Kampala is called a city that never sleeps. All kinds of entertainment are found in Kampala for example good music, comedy, events and so many other entertainment functions. Most Ugandans have invested into the entertainment sector so you can find a lot of hangouts in Kampala from Casinos, clubs, Bars, Cinemas, theatres. Life in Kampala is such an experience that will make you feel like staying and settling in Kampala. Every weekend in Kampala is a party for any kind of functions, weekends are always loved in Kampala because it is the time Ugandans show off or spend their income. Some of the entertainment places in Kampala include; Kampala Casino, Theatre La Bonita, National theatre, Club Guvnor, Ndere cultural centre which is mainly for cultural entertainment to mention a few. Ugandans like to party, bars, live music venues and clubs with the upmarket choice for the well-heeled situated in the industrial area, and a selection of small and extremely lively ones.
For eating out, there are so many good choices of restaurants in Kampala ranging from five- star hotels to roadside ‘pork joints’. Like any major city anywhere you will also find Chinese, Italian, Indian and French restaurants with wealthy and unusual cuisines such as Ethiopian and Eritrean. For any hotel you stay at in Kampala, you will enjoy their food. Some of the best restaurants in Kampala include; KFC, Café Javas, Java House, Khana Khazana restaurant, Asian Fusion, the Italian restaurant, for local Uganda food – Baguma restaurant, The lawns for bush dishes just to mention a few.
While staying in Kampala, taking outings is definitely a good thing to do that is making time to see the beauty of Kampala. Kampala is a city of 7 hills, rich in cultural tours, and sightseeing. Apart from safaris, for weekends away there are plenty of activities such as visiting the Entebbe zoo and boat trips on Lake Victoria, a short drive away from Central Kampala, in places such as Munyonyo and Entebbe, both on Lake Victoria and going to resorts. For older children, family rafting trips, horseback safaris, quad biking, hiking and sailing are possible within Kampala city. Whatever your budget, some time away from the city allows you to appreciate the beautiful and very different environment outside it. Other places to visit include the Uganda Museum, Bahai temple, Gadhafi national mosque, The Buganda Mengo royal palace to mention a few
Shopping in Kampala city
Kampala as Uganda’s city has developed its shopping areas. For those who want to preserve a lifestyle and shop from very classy places, the Malls, supermarkets are the best places to go for they have a good selection of imported goods from food, cloths, house equipment and anything else someone may need for example, Kingdom Hall Mall, Garden city, Nakumatta Oasis, Acacia Mall to mention a few with various clothing and houseware stores, and each has a large supermarket. Game store in Lugogo is particularly useful for electronics, kitchenware and furniture. There are supermarkets being thrown up everywhere, and not just in the centre of town, and there is a good choice of imported goods. For someone who wants to shop for food staffs in Kampala, Nakasero market is the best recommended, Owino market is the largest market in Uganda and it is a huge clothing market with second hand clothes from Europe and the United States, selling everything from shoes to hats to shirts in great values, it is quite difficult to walk through due to the big gatherings. New clothes shops in Kampala tend to be overpriced and with a limited selection, so you may eventually have to find the patience for Owino market! For Art and craft products, the Buganda road market will facilitate you for things like art pieces and souvenirs. Food like beef in particular is well-butchered and cheap. Fish (mostly tilapia or Nile perch) can be bought frozen from the supermarkets or fresh from small stalls at the side of the road or by the edge of Lake Victoria straight off the boats. From roadside markets, there is also an excellent selection of cheap fruit and vegetables; in particular, you will notice an abundant supply of food.
Driving, Roads and Traffic in Kampala city
Kampala being a developing city has also developing people who buy vehicles every day and so the roads become so busy. Driving in Kampala can be scary at first especially for the left-hand driving countries because Uganda is a right-hand driving country. If you are not used to driving in a developing country, you will be surprised how quickly necessity will force you to get behind the wheel. All driving is unpredictable although with the general pace being slow, it usually gives you time to react. Drivers in Kampala need to be aware of the road quite well, following the road signs and ensuring they are eligible to drive around Kampala. The Roads are often badly developed with potholed, although most in the city centre, the road is have tarmac and well developed lining all road users including the pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Traffic is heavy and disorganized in Kampala. Lights and traffic wardens may actually intensify this. What may alarm you the most, however, is the way no-one pays any attention to road rules especially during the rush hours from morning and evening. Today, the roads in Kampala have been developed and the drivers tend to follow the traffic rules provide because of the big punishments provided by the Traffic police. But if you really don’t want to drive, you can make use of the local options, ‘boda bodas’ – the infamous but convenient motorbike taxis, or ‘taxis’ -Toyota Hiace vans converted to take around 14 passengers. Whatever your choice, you’ll eventually find the driving style here seems purely routine, just as it does at your home country. When you visit Kampala, keep in mind that traffic is part of life in Kampala.
Internet in Kampala city
Internet is one important aspect for someone to manage living in Kampala. Getting a mobile connection in Kampala couldn’t be easier, and now the dongle has arrived with several mobile network providers, finding an internet connection is no longer an expensive and exasperatingly slow task. Internet speed is still nowhere near what you are probably used to back in the United States or Europe, but it is tolerable. A number of nice new cafes have sprung up recently, serving good coffee with often free wireless and – increasingly – good café style food. Thus Hotels and results provide WIFI for their clients to enable you get around with information you need while in Kampala. You can also get a local Sim-card for cheaper internet usage on the available network providers such as MTN UGANDA, AIRTEL UGANDA, and AFRICELL UGANDA. If you are travelling around Uganda, you are recommended to by a sim-card as it is much cheaper and easier to us although networks in some parts of Uganda are still poorly developed, so you can buy either MTN or AIRTEL since they are so far the best.
Security, Service and Utilities in Kampala city
While staying in Kampala city, it is unusual for people to have some sort of guard guarding their homes. However, for places like hotels, restaurants and other diplomatic places, having security guards is very important for security purposes, Kampala city went through a terror attack in 2010 during the world cup games which claimed so many lives of Ugandans in 3 different locations an so many other riots and insecurities that have affected the city, so security is a very sensitive aspect in Kampala city. While visiting Kampala, take care of your property because there are so many petty thieves around the city who look out to steal and con from you for example there are a lot of property grabbers especially downtown of Kampala city, so you need to avoid talking to people unnecessarily and guard your property jealously.
Plumbing and electricity tend to be unreliable, depending on which area you live in. However, today that has changed and developed. However, you may want to invest in an inverter to provide short-term back-up for power, and a tank for water storage. These are not so expensive. It is also easier to find skilled electricians and plumbers; ask well-established expats for their recommendations. It’s best not to go for the cheapest repair option as some of the products sold in Kampala are not good.
Healthcare in Kampala city
Health may be one of the main reasons people sometimes have reservations about visiting to Africa particularly Uganda. One of the common diseases that affect Africa is Malaria, typhoid, HIV AIDS and so many other diseases and parasites are potentially high. However, you can significantly reduce the possibility of contracting any of these diseases by ensuring all your vaccinations are up-to-date before you arrive in Uganda and have insurance for any health complication you have. All visitors are recommended to take a yellow fever and malaria vaccinations before you travel to Uganda. However, depending on where you sleep whether in a hotel or a home stay, ensure sleeping under a mosquito net. When travelling out of Kampala, which has a low incidence of malaria, to a more infectious area, take anti-malarial tablets as well as sleeping under a net, avoid eating foods that you are allergic to. You also have an opportunity to have a health insurance while staying in Uganda or the small amount of money needed to pay for general medical care, there are plenty of good clinics and hospitals in Kampala such as Mulago hospital, Nakasero hospital, Case Hospital to mention a few. With the outbreak of COVID 19, visitors are questioned to follow the SOPS prevention methods to protect from getting the virus. Capable health professionals and clinics exist here however, for serious health complications; you should have no reason to tour to Uganda.
Whatever your reasons for coming to Uganda, and staying in Kampala city, plenty of opportunities exist for you and your family to have an enjoyable, interesting and rewarding cultural experience whilst not having to sacrifice the kind of conveniences you are used to at home. The life in Kampala is both exciting and hectic just like any city around the world, however, with Kampala city, its beauty is outstanding with great experiences.