Things to do in  Kampala

Located on Kampala Hill, the Uganda National Mosque caters to the country’s significant Muslim population and has a capacity of 35,000 worshippers. Completed in 2006, the temple was originally known as the Gaddafi National Mosque and serves as the headquarters for Islam in Uganda. Its 166-foot (65-meter) minaret provides panoramic views of the city.

Nakasero Market has served as one of Kampala’s main trade spots since 1895. The vibrant and often chaotic market offers insight into local life and serves as a stark contrast to the embassies and elite hotels that surround it. Fresh produce can be purchased in the the large outdoor section, while the indoor portion specialises in clothes, machinery, and souvenirs.

Built in 1885, Kabaka's Palace (Lubiri) is the historic official residence of the Buganda king. Following a 1966 military coup, the palace’s subterranean storage tunnels were used to incarcerate political prisoners. Although the palace’s classic facade has been restored, chilling reminders of the Idi Amin dictatorship remain in the grounds.

As the burial site of four Buganda kings, the UNESCO-listed Kasubi Tombs hold important cultural and spiritual significance in Uganda. The main Muzibu Azaala Mpanga structure is made from organic materials and marks the central point of the site, which sprawls across Kasubi Hill.

Opened in 1908, Uganda Museum is among the oldest museums in East Africa. Its five galleries provide an overview of the region’s rich history, from the prehistoric age to the present. Highlights include its collection of folk instruments, its Idi Amin exhibition, and the outdoor village that showcases traditional architecture from across the country.

Although most famous for being the source of the Nile River, Lake Victoria also boasts the title of the world’s largest tropical lake. Despite its diverse species, scenic shores, and vital role in local industries, much of the African Great Lake remains off-the-beaten-track, making it the ideal getaway from Uganda’s bustling cities.

The aptly named Old Taxi Park is the oldest—and biggest—transit terminal in Kampala, Uganda. Although a transportation hub doesn’t necessarily sound like a must-see attraction, it has become an offbeat tourist destination (especially for photographers) because of the impressive spectacle of thousands of white minibuses navigating the cramped lot. It’s also the starting point for many short-distance rides throughout the city.

Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo pays tribute to the 32 Ugandan Christians—collectively, the Martyrs of Uganda—killed in 1886 under the orders of Mwanga II, who was kabaka, or king, of the Buganda kingdom at that time. The Roman Catholic basilica and shrine broke ground in 1965, just one year after Pope Paul VI canonized the deceased as saints. It now draws thousands of Christian and non-Christian visitors alike.

Kisenyi, located in the heart of Kampala adjacent to the capital’s central business district, is a huge neighborhood where some of Uganda’s poorest and most vulnerable residents live in extremely close quarters, many without access to running water. Despite these challenges, Kisenyi has a lively, vibrant atmosphere filled with informal businesses—everything from butcher shops and fresh produce vendors to furniture and metalworking shops. It’s been nicknamed Little Mogadishu in honor of the 18,000 Somali refugees who call Kisenyi home.

Founded in 2007 by a trio of young Congolese refugees living in Uganda, the Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) in Kampala is a registered NGO that seeks to aid refugees, asylum seekers, and people who have been displaced by conflict. Each year, YARID serves over 4,000 individuals who primarily are from Africa’s Great Lakes region (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi) but also come from other East African countries, including Ethiopia and South Sudan.