By Ian Maina
Kampala. Uganda’s capital, the city of seven hills, and the vibrant heart of The Pearl of Africa. These are no idle boasts. Spend a day here and you’ll quickly realise why this city leaves such a lasting impression. Kampala doesn’t just move, it pulses. Whether it’s the golden glow of sunrise or the sultry haze of dusk, the city hums with a kind of energy that’s rare and intoxicating.
It’s often said Kampala is the most energised city in East Africa with its relentless movement and unfiltered hustle, is its beating heart. The true rhythm of Kampala is best felt from the back of a boda boda – the city’s motorcycle taxis. Watching them weave through traffic is like witnessing Brownian motion in real life: zigzagging, darting, entirely unpredictable. They’ll carry anything and go anywhere. For a safer experience, opt for SafeBoda which offers helmets and a little more sanity.
Kampala has a rich blend of cultures, flavours, art, and architectural contradictions, modern glass towers share skylines with colonial relics, ageing 70s brutalist blocks, and the domes of religious landmarks. It’s messy and magnificent in equal measure. Kampala’s architecture tells its own story. You’ll find remnants of colonial British designs, Afro-modernist government blocks, and informal settlements stacked in patchwork across the hills. Makindye Hill, home to the stylish Latitude 0° Hotel, offers refined hospitality paired with sweeping city views. Nearby, the Diplomat Hotel, faded and frayed, remains a favourite sunset lookout. What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in atmosphere.I’d also recommend a visit to the Gaddafi Mosque, not just for the spiritual grandeur but for the unbeatable panoramic view from its towering minaret.
Kampala’s food scene is surprisingly cosmopolitan. Start your morning with a Rolex (no, not the watch) a delicious Ugandan street snack of an omelette rolled in chapati. You’ll find them at nearly every street corner, but the best versions tend to hide in plain sight, ask a local. If you’re more adventurous, seek out a Kabalagala pancake, a sweet, chewy, fried treat made from bananas and cassava flour. For high-end dining, The Lawns offers exotic wild game and refined continental cuisine in a garden setting. Mediterraneo, nestled in Kololo, serves some of the city’s best Italian fare. If Indian is more your flavour, Khana Khazana delights with curries and tandoor from a gorgeous, fountain-lit courtyard. For local flavours done well, 2K Restaurant is a reliable bet.
Art lovers will feel right at home here. Afriart Gallery in Kamwokya is Kampala’s leading contemporary space, showcasing thought-provoking work by Ugandan and African artists. Over in Nakasero, Nommo Gallery, which is housed in a colonial bungalow, offers a quieter, more traditional space curated by the Uganda National Cultural Centre. If you’re up for a more casual or experimental vibe, AKA Gallery is worth exploring. And don’t miss the Uganda National Museum; modest, but quietly essential for understanding the roots of this place.
Kampala doesn’t sleep, it celebrates. From the open-air pubs in Kabalagala to sleek clubs in Kololo and Industrial Area, Kampalans party with unmatched intensity. There’s a rhythm here, just lean in and enjoy the ride. Compared to Kampala, Nairobi feels like a warm-up act.
You could spend just 24 hours in Kampala, but you shouldn’t. The city is bold, raw, exuberant, and disarmingly warm. Its people are as vibrant as its sunsets, and even a brief visit will leave you planning your return.
Travel with us to Uganda, visit Kampala and everything else that the country has to offer. Enquire today!