Stores, Malls or Markets in Uganda

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I haven't seen any good souvenir shop in Kampala, most of the articles I saw around were of Chinese origins and I didn't like any of it. It was nice surprise seeing local craftworks exposed in the Ndere Cultural Centre. The lady there couldn't tell me where I could buy any of it but later on was told by other people that I should visit small villages in the countryside from where all this exsibits originally coming from.

In every market across the country you will see banks of Ugandans crowded into small stalls or shops hunched over sawing machines franticly pedalling away at the manually powered and usually very ancient sawing machines. These women (it’s mainly women) are busy churning out school uniforms for kids as well elaborate African dresses made from exotic printed batiks that quite often are imported from The DRC. Very occasionally as a customer they get a Muzungu tourist with bad taste in shirts wanting to get a shirt run up in a piece of material that had caught his eye. Well that’s how it happened with me.

A piece of material did catch my eye so I inquired about the price of a shirt made from the finest vivid polyester. Evelyn the lovely lady who owned the stall in Gulu market told me that it would cost 10,000 for the material and 5,000 for the making of the shirt. I was still a bit undecided so Evelyn asked me how much I could afford I told her it was not the case of money but whether I needed a shirt or not. So I guess I could have got the shirt for cheaper than the 15,000 UGX which I agreed on. 15,000 UGX I though was an absolute bargain; in November 2010 the exchange rate made that less than £4.

Evelyn measured across the shoulders, the length, and length of arms and what she called my ‘bust’. I paid up front and was told to come the same time tomorrow to pick up the finished garment. A week or so later in another tailors in Kampala they said they would quite happily run up a shirt in half an hour. Brilliant service!

I was well made up with the resulting shirt

Stanbic Bank came to my rescue since my credit card company switched me to MasterCard from Visa.

Stanbic as far as I know are the only company in Uganda that you can receive money with a MasterCard credit card from an ATM. Thankfully there are Stanbic ATMs all over the country and not just attached to banks. In Kampala there are several stand alone enclosed ATM points comprising of two ATMs complete with an askari (security guard) outside.

If you can work out things from my iffy photo you will see the logos of the cards excepted by Stanbic.

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Life is all but easy in Uganda, locals struggle day by day in order to survive because good piad job is only a dream for great majority of this people. Those with low education or none education at all cannot count on any job, therefore they open small shops or stalls selling everything what can be sell. Most of the shops or stalls are situated along the roads and look alike to this you can see on my pictures.

What to buy: It's hard to say because I never bought anything in this shops. Most of goods is of very low quality, even the fruits.

What to pay: Just in case, the prices are very affordable but the question is it worth to buy.

Lots of touristy things to buy here - the drums aren't actually that bad but be careful of the size if you are flying!

Little tip - we hired a driver to get here and when bargaining for goods he often intervened and got us a better price than we could have hoped for. Just goes to show its no what you know....

This is not about a particular shop, if not about shops that are located along the roads near Kampala.

If you want to buy real hand-made drums, at very cheap prices related with the prices you'll find in tourist shops in Kampala, these are your shops.

And you'll have the opportunity to see as well, how the drums are made, as they build them there.

What to buy: Drums

What to pay: You can negotiate with them, but prices are so cheap that for me it is not fair to try to save a few euros, because for you a few euros are nothing, and for them is a lot.

Uchumi is Kampalas´ recent and most significant happening. It covers 5000sq. meters with products ranging from Foods and beverages, Fashion shops, sports activities or Restaurants.

Moreover it opens 24 * 7

What to buy: Foods and Bevareges, Sports articles, Toys, Clothes, name it

What to pay: $50 to 200

Pieces of valuable handicrafts are available at relatively low prices as compared to imported crafts, therefore don´t hesitate to snap at the chance. I ´ve been there and i can tell you, its worth it.

Remember, your bargaining power determines what you pay in the end. The vendors are very easy going and friendly.

What to buy: musical instruments, wood carvings, woven goods and pottery.

What to pay: $5 to $ 20
Don´t forget the rule of the game: bargain him down!!!!!!!