Kampala Things to Do

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The name Idi Amin still strikes fear in the hearts of some people today. He was one of the worst and murderous dictators to ever scar the African continent. During his rule anyone he suspected was tortured, raped, beaten, and then shot. Here in the gardens of the Kabaka Palace is a series of cells where prisoners were shot dead. The walls are pockmarked from the strike of machine guns bullets and the hand prints of the condemned can still be seen. What many people do not realise was the first President of Uganda, Milton Obote, was the first to murder political opponents in these cells. The writing on the wall in one of the pictures translates as “Obote – you have killed me, but what about my children?” The Army General in charge of killing Obote’s “enemies”?

General Idi Amin.

Please note: This is not part of the Guided Tour you receive when you pay admission to the Kabaka’s Palace. If you are not offered, just ask politely to see it.

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The EYE Magazine is both free and priceless. This dynamic little magazine has it all. It has a good map of Kampala right in the middle, a business listing for the whole city and some interesting articles about local life. It also let’s you know what events are happening throughout the month it is published. It also includes reviews on:

* Books *Lodge/hotels * Restaurants * Movies * Culture

It also keeps you up to date on sports events and other festivities in and around Kampala. It also contains some maps of other large nearby towns like Entebbe.

The restaurant articles and advertisements are in depth and will direct you to some great places to eat.

The EYE is free, but sometimes hard to find. I picked up my copy at the Sheraton Hotel. Get a copy!

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The Cathedral can be seen from all over Kampala sitting on top of Namirembe hill. Because of its position you can get a really impressive view of Kampala from up here, or as the near by Namirembe guest house likes to say “The Guest house with the Million Dollar view". I paid bugger all not a million dollars and walked from the centre of town.

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You can't help but notice the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir not far from the clock tower on Entebbe Rd as you enter Kampala. It has now been painted pink since my last visit it did need a bit of smartening up as last time I was in town it had had a few windows put through during protests at the proposed destruction of Mabira forest to make way for another sugar farm. Because an Asian owned company was behind the sugar plantation anything Asian seemed to become a target. Thankfully Mabira was untouched, the mandir was touched up and protests stopped.

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The tombs of the Buganda Kings are here on Kasubi Hill in Kampala. The Buganda people are the largest ethnic group in Uganda. Huge traditional reed and bark-cloth buildings form an enclosure that has been a royal palace for the (Kabakas) since 1881. Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga (main building) circular and domed building. Each King has pictures, weapons, medals and even a stuffed pet leopard adorning their graves. The small circular houses around the enclosure are lived in by the Kabakas' ‘Widows’ who look after this site. They are all royal descendants of the kings. Watch your step, I almost stepped on one of these noble ladies who was sleeping next to one of the graves.

Your entry ticket included the free use of a guide (pictured) and they have a small gift shop as well.

** THIS IS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE **

This young chappie at M. Marahavan Saloon gave me the best shave I had in Kampala while I was there.

I've tried a few barbers/kinyozi around Kampala there are a decent barbers in Old Kampala but this was the best I had. On the whole I find the Asian barbers seem to handle Bazungu hair better than some of the African barbers.

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This is not only a shopping tip, it’s a must see place. Uganda Crafts 2000 is a massive souvenir shop that does the things virtually no other souvenir shop can do. They sell local crafts, made by hand, created by handicapped and disadvantaged artisans, have a huge variety and their prices are often cheaper than competitors selling ‘made in China’ items. In addition they pay fair wages to people who might otherwise be truly begging on the streets. Many of the people who make the goods actually create them on site. In fact you see the workshops before you can get to the entrance of the shop. I believe this to be the best souvenir shop in Africa. I enjoyed my visit and purchases so much, I went back the next day to visit again. I bought small woven decorations made by school children to buy supplies for their school. Many of the crafts have the pictures and stories of the makers displayed. You can see the very people you help and their prices are market competitive. They do sell expensive quality luxury goods as well as some of the small decorations I bought for pennies. For budget travellers this is a must. You can get light weight cheap gifts to take home. It all helps.

Some of the fantastic crafts they sell are: Baskets, Christmas Decorations, Batiks (a great and inexpensive gift that weighs nothing!), Handbags, Jewellery, Masks, Leather Goods, Musical Instruments, Key Chains, Trays, Greeting Cards, and a lot more!

They are members of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and their artisans are paid fair money for their productions. They also provide employment and training for the disadvantaged groups, particularly widows, children, the disabled and those living with HIV/AIDS.

Open 7 days a week from 8am-7pm

Swimming as a non-resident in various pools in Kampala tends to be more expensive than elsewhere in the country. The pool at the Hotel Equatoria is all right but at 10,000 is double what you would pay in Entebbe or Mbale. What is a good deal though is to go swimming here on a Sunday when for 15,000 you can swim and help yourself to the lunch buffet. It was sold to me as "you can swim, eat, swim, eat all afternoon.

The food is good, salads, binyebwa, spuds, rice, various veg and meat and a choice of dessert with the Crème caramel being the best.