Things to know about Kampala before coming to Uganda.
This is a traveler’s guide on the Things one needs to Know About Kampala Before their first visit to Uganda. This article will help first time travelers to know Kampala- Uganda.
Quick information about Kampala
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. It is home to over 1.5 million Ugandans and the busiest business center in Uganda.
The heart of the city is called by the new name “the Constitutional Square” although quite often many still refer to it by its old name “City Square”The city square of Kampala is about 41Kms from Entebbe International Airport, the main entry point by air in Uganda.The city square is also neighbors with the Central Police Station, probably the biggest Police Station in Uganda. Among other things, the city square is within less than 20,000 Uganda Shillings (Approximately $6.4) by private taxi from the main Post office, American Embassy, British Embassy, Serena Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Makerere University, Uganda Museum, Bus and Taxi terminals, Kasubi Tombs and many more.
Hospitality Of The People Of Kampala
The people of Kampala and Uganda in general are grossly hospitable and highly welcoming to foreigners.
By bare numbers, greeting is predominantly in English and Luganda. The Luganda word for Good Morning is “Wasuze Otya” Good afternoon is “oli Otya” while Good evening is “Osibye Otya” The people of Uganda will hardly greet you without appending the word “sir” or “Madam”. Ssebbo and Nyabo are the respective terms used but they could use a whole range of respecting terms like “Mukulu”, “Mzee”, “Uncle” “Auntie” and to the young ones “Brother” and “Sister”.
If you met them eating, its common for them to invite you to come and eat. Ironically they do not expect you to. If they really want you to join them they would normally just offer you the food and not just passively invite you. Among the things you need to know about Kampala is that the people of Kampala hold their city in very high regard. As earlier mentioned, Kampala is the most urban center in Uganda. Many of the residents of Kampala have come hundreds of miles from their home towns in pursuit of their dreams. Of course a first time visitor might not see why but surveys have have named Kampala as the best and most comfortable East African capital to live in.
The Traffic Jam
If you are planning to travel through the city in the rush hours, traffic in the center is a problem. You will need to start your journey with at least an hour or two to spare.
If you are coming from Europe or America there is also a 70% chance that most infrastructure will not be as good as back home but sure enough cheap, and relatively safer.
Taxis and Boda Bodas
The most common type of transportation from one near place to another in the city is by Boda Boda (Motorcycle).
These however have the tendency of not keeping all traffic regulations and extra care needs to be maintained when using them! Always ask for protective head gear when using these motorcycles. There are also shared taxi services and private taxis. Quite understandable, private taxis like Uber and others are more expensive than the shared matatus.
Kampala people use the word “Mumaso Awo” to indicate that the driver should drop them off at the next stage.
The English
There is what I will call “a brand of English” called Uglish spoken mainly by the youth bellow 45yrs. When you for example what your change, the Kampala person will say “I want my balance”. If you are going to a university they will most likely say you are going to”campus”.
When some one says “you are lost” dont panic they just mean they have taken long without seeing you! You may read more about Uglish from this LINK
Hotels
There are very many hotels in Kampala with varying ranges in costs and standards. Undoubtedly, Uganda’s and therefore Kampala’s most luxurious hotel is the Kampala Serena hotel. The Kampala Sheraton Hotel is just a stone throw away too and many other hotels are available depending on your budget. Feel free to contact us to ask about any hotel of your choice or ask us to make recommendations.
Directions
Unfortunately most roads in the city have no names. If you can you will have to rely on Google maps but thankfully the people of Uganda are helpful, Just ask, they will direct you! Kampalans will be happy to help. The only challenge is they might tell you “just move slightly along that road” when they actually mean a whole kilometer! They could also tell you to ‘slope up’ or ‘slope down’ Quite often the milestone will be a tree.
Safety In Kampala
The city is largely a very safe place to visit. In fact its the safest city in East Africa. However there are cases of petty theft in many places in down-town Kampala. These petty pickpockets will mainly target women, children and foreigners. If you can avoid slums and down-town Kampala in the rush hours and when its almost raining. The rush is normally taken advantage of to pick pockets and run.
Kissing On the Streets
Well no one will attack another for kissing on the streets but they will surely look at you strangely. Public display of affection is not something the people are very used to but they do not break bones for it.
The young definitely do not mind but might laugh at you out of amusement. The older ones might not be amused completely.
Same Sex Relationships in Kampala
Unfortunately Kampala is not very friendly to Same Sex Relationships. There is no specific law to criminalize the act as the Uganda’s 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act was annulled but same-sex relationships remain illegal in Uganda. Society currently looks at LGBTQ as a crime and will most likely treat you with some stigma.