Most visitors landing in Uganda skip Kampala Head straight upcountry to the untamed areas for close encounters with mountain gorillas and elephants. Yet the capital city’s dusty urban sprawl—set among seven green hills dotted with terracotta red roofs and traditional Ganda huts peeking out from tropical tangles of mango trees—is more than worthy of exploration.
Kampala was once the center of the Buganda Kingdom – one of five kingdoms which ruled over Uganda until the 19th century. Its name comes from the impala antelope herds, who roamed freely in its forests. The city was a witness to the British colonial ambitions and the brutal regime of Idi Amin. It has survived the upheavals that followed the 1980s.
Kampala has since blossomed into East Africa’s hub of commerce, culture, and creativity—a colorful blur of “old meets new,” where boda-boda The night scene is alive with motorbikes weaving through street vendors hawking their goods.
Amid the chaos, Kampala still offers pockets of tranquillity that invite visitors to pause and take it all in, including peaceful parks, tucked-away lakeside spots and historical sites like the Kasubi Tombs—a UNESCO World Heritage This is the site and burial ground of four Buganda Kings. The best things to see and do in Kampala.
Explore the Uganda National Mosque
Idi amin’s ambitious project to build a mosque to serve the Muslim community of Old Kampala was put on hold when he was exiled in 1979. The building was completed in 2007 with the support from Muammar Gaddafi, then the Libyan leader. The main prayer hall is lit with stained-glass and attracts tens-of-thousands every Friday. Don’t miss the chance to climb the minaret’s 272 steps—it’s a bit of a workout, but the panoramic views over the city at the top are well worth the hike. Volunteers offer guided tours of the mosque, which are $10. They will explain the history and architecture and give a context for the importance of this landmark.
