Central Region · Uganda
Kampala travel guide
Kampala is a city in Central Region, Uganda, home to about 1,681,000 people.
- Best months
- July and August
- Nearest airport
- EBB34 km · Entebbe International Airport
- Currency
- UGXUgandan shilling
- Time zone
- Africa/Kampala
- Language
- English, Swahili
About
About Kampala
Kampala (UK:, US: ) is the capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,797,722 (2024 census) and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa, and Rubaga.
The people of Kampala, and Ugandans in general, are very kind, friendly and approachable. Kampala, with a population of approximately 1.7 million, and 6.7 million in the metro area (2019), is by far the largest city in Uganda. Although it is a smaller city with less suburban sprawl than Nairobi or Lagos, the traffic jams and pollution can be every bit as bad. If you are travelling around the city, plan your days carefully to avoid spending many hours in traffic. Uganda, as the recipient of massive amounts of Western aid money, hosts many non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Kampala
See
- National Theatre
- Nommo Gallery
- Uganda Museum
- Uganda National Mosque
- Bahai Temple
- Kasubi tombs
- Wamala tombs
- Namirembe Cathedral
- St Mary’s Cathedral
- Lubiri
- Parliament of Uganda
- Independence Monument
Do
- Boda boda tour around town
- Speke Resort Munyonyo
- Ndrere Centre
- Ggaba Beach and KK Beach
- One Love Beach
- Latembe Beach
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Kampala
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kampala are July and August. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; April is the wettest, with about 203 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Kampala: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 34 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting in
The most common way of getting to Uganda is by plane. When coming to Kampala by air, you will actually arrive in the city of Entebbe, 35 km (22mi) southwest of Kampala.
Getting around
There are three methods of public transport: boda-bodas, matatu and special hires. The fastest and most dangerous method is the boda-boda. These are motorcycles that can be seen all over the city. While walking on the street in most areas of Kampala, boda drivers usually call out at pedestrians and ask if they want to go somewhere. If you're not interested, a simple 'no' will get them to leave you alone. You can get almost anywhere on the back of one for 2000-20000, but make sure to agree on the fare before the ride begins.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
EBB · Entebbe International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Kampala
Eat
There are a number of dining options in Kampala ranging from the cheap and local to the very fancy (and very expensive). Everywhere you go you'll see signs for little hole-in-the-wall restaurants (including some called "pork joints"). Most of these places don't have menus, so you'll have to ask what's available. Common options include meat (usually beef), rice, beans, Matoke (steamed green bananas, served mashed). Common dishes that can be found in most of the city restaurants and in the country side are fish and chips, and chicken and chips. These meals vary in servings and will cost between 4500-9000 UGX UGX. Be sure to ask the price ahead of time so that you don't get surprised later on.
Drink
Drink only bottled water - spring water brands like Rwenzori, Jubi, and Aquafina can be trusted. If you feel like going out, go out, you should be safe, just exercise common sense. Ugandans are very sociable. Kampala's nightlife centers around the neighborhoods Bukoto and Kabalagala. Several clubs are also in the Industrial area (e.g. along 1st/6th Street) and along Kampala Road plus Acacia Avenue. Popular clubs are Club Silk, Venom Club, Club Amnesia, Casablanca, Cayenne Restaurant and Lounge, the Mask Lounge Club and Ange Noir. Going out clubbing in Kampala can be very expensive.
Stay safe
Kampala is a relatively safe city. It is fairly safe to walk or take matatus around some areas at night, but don't take unnecessary chances. Kampala is not safe to walk around in after dark, especially if you are a white. It is assumed that all whites have money. It is also not safe to drive around, day or night, with your windows down or unlocked. Someone could reach in through the window and take your cell phone right out of your hand or open the door and take your laptop right off your lap.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Kampala: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Kampala?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kampala are July and August. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; April is the wettest, with about 203 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Kampala?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 34 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Kampala?
Ugandan shilling (UGX).
Nearby
Destinations near Kampala
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.