Kampala Off The Beaten Path

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This is Naalya, suburb of Kampala where I stayed for almost two weeks. Apart of bad weather conditions I spend pleasant time here surrounded with nice people in my neighborhood. They called me "mzungu" (whiteman) and I almost felt like being a part of their community......

I've read somewhere that Owino is the biggest market in whole Africa and there was also a documentary made about this market titled "Heart of Kampala". Market plus adjoining area around both taxi parks is full od stals and shopping arcades and whole "shopping" area really is huge. I've enjoyed my walks around there immensely. You do get tired of kids screaming
"mzungu mzungu" (tourists are rarely seen there) but people are very friendly, perhaps a bit pushy (brother come see my shoes, brother come see my bags, brother come see my t-shirts etc).

You should be aware of pickpockets but I've had no bad experience and believe me, I 've spend a lot of time there. Head to Parkside Inn's airy terrace for a chilly beer after shopping, but avoid time when Premiership matches are on - Ugandans are great fans and the place will be full, you could even get in troubles wearing a wrong t-shirt!

Okay so this isnt actually in Kampala City but was on our way from Kampala to Lake Bunyoni, I just put it here as I diddnt know where else to put it!

The Equator spans a few countries of the world and one of them in Uganda, of course they cash in on this fact and there are shops and a cafe at the site.
The site is literally along the road, and you wot miss it - stand on the circle and stand on the southern and northern hemispehere at the same time - tacky I guess but really cool at the same time!

They have a man here who has some flower heads, a bowl and water - he demonstrates how the water goes a different way down the plug when he is standing on the northern and then on the southern hemisphere - I was suprised to see that it was really different! Lol.

There is a shop here too that I cant remember the name of, but its all for charity so take a peek around.

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In the 19th century there were many expeditions trying to find the source of the Nile. Many famous names are associated with such expeditions : Burton, Speke, Livingstone, Stanley, Samuel Baker and others.
A source was found originating in Lake Victoria. The actual spot where Speke stood is now submerged, but a plaque and poster mark the area.
The views are spectacular, and you can see early bridge and the new bridge,

See also my travelogue.

1 Degree from Kampala in map terms lies the Equator crossing in Uganda. There you can stand in the centre of the earth, walk the line like a tightrope (quickly as there are crazy hoons on that highway), get your pic taken in the Equatorial circle markers and watch water turn clockwise on the south, anticlockwise on the north and go straight down in the centre. You kinda do feel like you are in the centre of the world standing on the point and for me being at the start of my journey it was a real crossing point marking lots to come for the future....

explore the countryside with the plenty of green vegetation..huge cattle farms and the original houses