TransportationThings To DoTrafficMore...
More Topics...

Living in Kampala, Uganda:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

68 local experts
Share

If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Kampala, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 68 people living in Kampala what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

Share
Share Tips and Advice about Kampala

68 comments on “Kampala”

If you are moving to Kampala, you should be the kind of person who completely avoids interfering in other people’s matters because the city is filled with people from different tribal backgrounds, speaking different languages. Therefore, for someone visiting Kampala, I suggest they should be able to express themselves in English, as it’s the most commonly spoken language by city dwellers.

Kennedy, says: 2024

If you are moving to Kampala, Uganda expect a good climate, a friendly population but a dusty city and traffic congestion.

Well, the best you could expect is friendly people, animals, fun all the time because every night is a party in Kampala.

Kaweesa, says: 2023

One should be speaking English as a basic national language, then Luganda. Be flexible to eat a variety of fresh foods and you must at least have a minimum of 1 Million Ugandan Shillings to cater for transport, food and accommodation for a month.

If you are moving to Kampala, there are quite a number of places to visit. We have the Uganda museum, the Uganda martyrs shrine; the celebrations are always on June 3. Uganda has friendly people but that doesn’t mean everyone is good. You have to hold on tightly to your belonging.

Kampala is the city of friendly and lovely people, it is located in the central part of the country and consists of various tourist centers like game parks, lakes and golf courses. It also has many development projects and organizations at the national and local levels.

Madina, says: 2023

This is one of the most socially navigable cities in the world (I’ve been to at least 20 capitals globally) with a very laissez-faire way about it. People are warm, hospitable and love a good time. Ugandans are not as conservative as the outside world thinks. Road and Telecoms infrastructure isn’t the greatest and it often feels very provincial but it’s a great and cheap city to live in overall. Most services, commodities and basic amenities and are available but providers lack finesse and professionalism so expect that.

Karanja, says: 2022

Kampala is a city of built on several hills most of which overlook Lake Victoria, one of the largest lakes in the world. The presence of buildings of historical and religious significance make Kampala a magnet for all types of tourists. The city is located one hour drive from the source of River Nile, the longest river in the world.

Harriet, says: 2020

My city is Kampala, which is located in Uganda. It is known for being poor, since it’s a third world country in the world, one should expect affordable housing and it’s well vast with tourist attractions, especially wild life. There are different species of animals like lions, leopards which attracts different tourists from all over the world, despite of the high levels of poverty among people.

Dennis, says: 2020

Someone moving to Kampala should prepare themselves to learn a little Luganda, especially the greeting. These can be about 5 to 10 words. Kampala city is a great place for tourists because the people are generally warm and receptive. There are lots of activities to do, such as site seeing for example, restaurants, museums and local historical sites.

Mugenyi, says: 2020

He/she should know that Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. Kampala city is a city for hardworking people struggling to earn money for their daily expenses and their families besides that Kampala is overpopulated with over 20 million people. Kampala has a fair sanitation with little plantation cover that provides a good aerial view for the city.

Arinda, says: 2020

Should know that the city is the located the country’s biggest kingdom, Buganda and that most people therein, use Luganda as a primary local language and English as the official language. The city is located at the shores of Lake Victoria and it has about 2 million people but during day, these are about 5 million.

Nicholas, says: 2020

If you are planning to move to Kampala, you should know that it is the Pearl of Africa and one is bound to fall in love with the friendly people it has. Kampala city welcomes all nationalities and the ability to speak English offers visitors a huge advantage. Kampala has many tourists places someone can go to and these include; the source of the Nile, The Uganda Museum, Lake Mburo National park and many others.

Doreen, says: 2020

Kampala is the most densely populated town in Uganda. It’s made up of seven hills and hosts is the administrative capital of the country. English is a commonly spoken language, followed by luganda and swahili. The equator goes through Uganda making for warm equatorial climate with as many hours in the day as the night.

My city Kampala is one. However, for anyone visiting, I highly recommend one experience you should never miss out on. Our delicacy, the Rolex. Made from wrapping fried eggs in tortilla, along with tomatoes to the recipe, it is extremely delicious. The malls in Kampala are also built and operated uniquely to the local residents and therefore you should be careful choosing and shopping out here. Preferably, move with a local.

Mayinja, says: 2020

My city, Kampala, is a lovely one. Largely known for its delicacy, the Rolex, a food made by frying eggs and wrapping them in a tortilla with an addition of raw tomatoes to the recipe, it is an absolute thing to try out when in my city. Also, do not forget to tour the lovely malls widely made for the locals and therefore a lot is unique out there.

Moreen, says: 2020

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. Kampala is in the central part of the country. Being the only city in the country, it is very busy one and has a very large population. People from all walks of life come to Kampala searching for jobs and other opportunities.

Leslie, says: 2020

It’s easy to get a cheap place to leave in, the population is high, so there might be a high risk of getting infected by any disease like flu and cough, also chances of getting malaria are high. Not all teens go to school since some can’t afford to so you will find some young kids on streets. There is a high competition of jobs.

Moreen, says: 2020

My city is calm, hot and at the same time rainy. We have many tour attractions, you can never get bored while in my city. The people are welcoming and loving. We have clean water bodies (e.g., Lake Victoria, River Nile), many green forests like Mabira among others.

Nankunda, says: 2020

Whoever wants to move to my city should know high population and high costs of living. However, there is employment because of the strategic location of the city, it’s near industries which creates employment and business centers. There is also availability of good education services like Elementary schools, Colleges and Universities.

Mutebi, says: 2020

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. It’s population is a blend of young and old with majority being the former. Traffic congestion peaks in morning and evening hours. It’s culture is embedded in the way people live with each other through respect at all times. Often we disagree but compromise is one way to get around trying times.

Michelle, says: 2020

moving to Kampala is both a good and bad choice. One has access to a cheaper yet good standard of living. Yet on the other hand one has to suffer that the city is on a 3rd world country. Whose social services are not all that good. The city in a nutshell is a interesting and lively place.

Leslie, says: 2020

My city is always congested, and very hot especially during the dry season. In Uganda we have, wet and dry weather seasons. But altogether the people are the most hospitable on the African continent. Be ready to get into different ordeals with bodaboda guys, who apparently don’t respect other road users.

Dennis, says: 2020

Kampala is found in the heart of Buganda Kingdom. it can be messy especially when it rains. This is because most of the drainage channels were blocked by rubbish thrown in by people around those areas. Also, you should be able to bear the heavy traffic especially during the morning and evening rush hours.

Arinda, says: 2020

Kampala is a beautiful city with very hospitable people. It has a very beautiful weather comprising of mostly sunny days and occasional rainy days. There are many sites a tourist can visit with a variety of foods one can always experiment on. It is worth giving a summer visit.

Kampala city is quite busy and packed with traffic during day. The accommodations within the city are more costly than those on the outskirts of the city. Security within the heart of the city is more efficient as its more tranquil and less busy. There are lots of jobs especially for foreigners willing to invest in any kind of business approved by the city council.

there is a lot of traffic jam on almost all roads in Kampala. Also, the sewage system is faulty, so whenever it rains, most of the city floods up. Therefore, it is much better to look for other cities to settle in like Jinja, Mbale and Kasese.

Mutebi, says: 2020

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. It is on seven hills which can be viewed on a tower at Gaddafi mosque hence that’s the first place one should consider visiting. Ones should also consider seeing the uganda museum, Makerere University, the Kasubi Tombs, Rubaga cathedral Church, and Namirembe cathedral church. One should also consider having a nightlife in Kampala, a city which doesn’t sleep.

Kampala city is known for having a lot of traffic and currently, the government is taking measures on how to cope with such congestion. It has so far put out rules to govern the “boda boda” riders in the city limiting them to particular areas only. This will be a problem for quite a big number of riders and their customers at large since it all comes back to beating traffic congestion in the city.

Kamara, says: 2020

Kampala is a beautiful city, famously referred to as the city of hills, because it is made up of seven hills that offer awesome views. Kampala has perfect weather year-round with temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius.

The nightlife in Kampala is great, pop into of the many night clubs or bars, popularly referred to as ‘bufunda’ by the locals. The best feature of Kampala is the people! Very friendly, outgoing and always ready to help. When looking for a house, please enlist the services of a broker.

Kirabo, says: 2020

Kampala is very busy, crowded, and noisy. Most people around the country reside and work from my city. It is the biggest city because it entails five big divisions. It has the largest number of residents and best infrastructure in terms of Education, Religion, Social and other related examples.

Harriet, says: 2020

Anyone moving here known as Kampala should know it is the capital of Uganda. This means that most of the relevant services are available. Furthermore, it is important to note that the city is very busy and more crowded than the rest of the areas of Uganda.

Kampala is full of vibrant people with a lot of activity going on. There are various monuments for site seeing and different foods from different cultures. Our educational system is a commendable one as in can study either at the national level or Cambridge level. Last but not least our accommodation and housing facilities are very affordable.

Kampala, also the capital of Uganda, is a secure city with lots of happy and hospitable people. It has a lot of traffic and the rising number of street children. In the Central region, it is easily accessed as it has a road network that connects it to all the other regions.

Steven, says: 2020

It is the Capital city of Uganda, a busy City with over 15,000,000 people working in it. It is the most active trading center in the country with the major political developments and personnel situated. It is run by the Kampala Capital City Authority which keeps the city clean and in order.

Jackline, says: 2020

Kampala is a city with good climate, awesome city view and amazing food. Kampala is a city filled with thieves and should be careful while on streets. Kampala is full of traffic congestion and a person needs to go to where he or she wants to on time.

Someone moving to Kampala should know Kampala is quite a big busy city with a lot of traffic jam. It’s also a trading centre thus people can get whatever they want from within the city. There are quite a number of tourist centres within Kampala for example the National Museum which one can visit and affordable hotels and restaurants for the perfect accommodation and welfare.

Bernadette, says: 2020

Kampala is a beautiful and lively city full of people with warm hearts and happy smiles. While traffic jam may be difficult to navigate, one will eventually get where they want to go. Also, Kampala’s somewhat central position allows it to celebrate all of Uganda’s different, vibrant, and well-preserved cultures.

Nayebale, says: 2020

Look out for thieves in the city. One should have a mamask due to dust issues. One should look out for sexual harassment as some people bad touch and abuse women. One should take care of where to eat from specifically. There are so many bullies in the city.

Before moving to Kampala, be aware of Boda bodas. These are motorcycles that complement public transport. However, their operators ride recklessly on the roads. Additionally, here Rolex is food. It is a special snack of rolled eggs and Chapati you can grab anywhere around the city suburbs. People here are friendly and there are various attractions you should not miss checking out including the Martyrs’ Shrine at Namugongo and Kasubi Tombs.

Ankunda, says: 2020

Someone moving to Kampala should know pickpockets as they are everywhere. Some will claim to give you directions, only to end up jerking you up. But on the bright side we have nice hotels and well-mannered citizens. You can expect all kinds of delicacies when you arrive, from local to packed foods.

Katongole, says: 2020

It’s pretty confusing for someone if it’s their first time. One should take care of thieves in the city. One should take care of his/her property. While moving, know not everyone in the city is a friend or wants to associate with them.

There is heavy traffic in the city. They should also know that there is a lot of dust mainly in the sunny weather. There are a lot of thieves around the area, and so they must be very careful when moving around, and hold tight onto their personal property.

Richard, says: 2020

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. The means of transport are many and not limited to the following; buses, taxis, and motorcycles. There are lots of people from all walks of life. Averagely more than 50 percent of the people around the city use English which is the international language.

Kampala is the capital of the country and the centre for most of the businesses. Almost everybody has to go through it to reach their destination. This means it is usually crowded with a lot of people. Most marketplaces are located there. Banking services are located there mostly. The roads are always busy.

Mutebi, says: 2020

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. It is also a center for businesses and their is a large market due to the high population. The people in Kampala are very hospitable, they welcome all visitors with smiling faces. The common mean o0f transport is public services van, usually carrying fourteen passengers per a trip.

Lugasa, says: 2020

Kampala is a very beautiful city with very wonderful climate. The people in this city are very friendly and very welcoming to anybody who they detect to be a visitor. There are so many types of cuisine in Kampala and many types of restaurants to suit the different visitors that come to the city. Visitors who come to Kampala, never want to leave.

Mugenyi, says: 2020

Kampala is beautiful with lots of tall buildings. However, it’s very congested with lots of cars and boda bodas. The city center has lots of people trading and selling different goods and offering a variety of services. Most the traders sell goods ranging from second-hand products to new products.

Sserugga, says: 2020

It is a peaceful city with many Boda Bodas. There are motorcycles which move passengers around different places at considerably cheaper prices. It has many slums and sometimes property float on the water whenever it rains too much. The roads are poor and not repaired. But the good thing about my city is that the people are hospitable and peaceful. They love strangers.

Mugenyi, says: 2020

There is traffic which makes work somehow hard to go around in a fast way. But the good part in all is that everyone is friendly and welcoming which makes it easy to get along with everyone that you please. There are many places of wonder that one can visit.

Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the eastern part of Africa. It is diverse and has welcoming people with different cultures you can enjoy, many places to hangout with friends, restaurants with wallet friendly menus, various Hotels to choose from in and around the city center. Taxis, we call them here not cabs, are available so are boda bodas and special hires.

Doreen, says: 2020

Kampala is not only the capital of Uganda, but it has a proud history and ideology of the common man. The hard work and determination reflects on the faces of all people found inside. Though the level of poverty and corruption is booming every day, it’s still in the Pearl of Africa.

Kampala city has very friendly, social and hospitable people. It has very cheap food and other necessities. We receive two seasons a year which include the rainy and dry season. The night is very great as there are lots of stars to watch and several activities. Most importantly, the city has lots of food to try out.

Josephine, says: 2020

Someone should consider carrying an umbrella as the weather varies from time to time. It can shine and rain the unexpectedly. The dress code around the city is expected to be decent enough, i.e., long dresses or skirts for females and just anything gentle enough for the males. Traffic can be hectic around the city, so, you should plan to move earlier than expected to get to your destination in time.

Katongole, says: 2020

The city is surrounded by the largest lake in East Africa. One might have to to embark on motorcycle (Boda Boda) to beat traffic in the city especially during rush hour, unless you would like to spend over three hours in the jam. The people are known to be friendly so you will be greeted with smiling strangers; don’t be afraid just smile back or say hi. It is part of the city culture in Kampala.

Victoria, says: 2020

We always experience a lot of traffic and there city is noisy. But there is still a lot to learn from the people and the high class services are always expensive. There is diversity of languages so someone needs to understand some of the local languages like Luganda, and some other local languages in Uganda.

Mugenyi, says: 2020

Kampala is so amazing with a number of interesting day to day activities that suit different people with numerous varieties. Whatever you want is at your disposal, everything is networked therefore you only need an internet connection to be able to search whatever service you will need and you will get it.

Be wary of traffic especially in the mornings and evenings. Secondly, always be on the lookout for crazy drivers. Remember to always carry a light rain jacket as it can rain at the least expected time. If you are traveling, remember to carry an up to date map.

Richard, says: 2020

Someone moving to Kampala should know about the Bodaboda transport. It’s a type of transport that enables one to move from one point to another on a two-wheel motorbike as a passenger. It’s a unique type of transport commonly used in Uganda. This mode of transport has greatly contributed to the booming transport sector in the Kampala capital city.

Israel, says: 2020

the city is made up of many people and in that city they are many activities taking place and many businesses are being ran. The city is not the safest place because according to visitors they always want a calm place and our city is polluted with noise in every angle.

Kampala is a city with less planned suburban neighbourhoods and a lot of traffic in peak hours. There are plenty of transportation means that range from taxis to motor bicycles. Motor bicycles are the fastest means of transport during peak hours. Kampala central areas have potential insecurity in the downtowns needing a pedestrian to always be alert.

Arinda, says: 2020

In the event that one is to move to my city. prepare a budget for how much he plans to spend. look at the security of the area he or she plans on staying. Most importantly know a little English to get him by.

Pauline, says: 2020

The most commonly spoken language by the people of the city is Luganda. One therefore needs to learn some basic Luganda phrases to help them get around easily. The people of the city are friendly to foreigners. one does not need to worry much about being made to feel out of place during their stay in Kampala.

The Seven Hills of Kampala, art and craft shops at African Village, youth and teenage hangouts, police rules, best hotel accommodations, monthly white parties by socialites, music festivals, Rolex fast food stands, location of game parks outside the city, compassionate and helpful people, goat racing, and the racial diversities.

Kaikara, says: 2020

Revealing clothes like short shorts are a big no on the streets of Kampala. In addition to public satanism. During normal days bars and churches are allowed to open till morning. A great destination for party goers and dedicated Christians. There’s freedom of speech, expression, worship to mention but a few. There are great tourism destinations too such as the heritage sites at Kasubi.

Michelle, says: 2020

Kampala is a beautiful place with hospitable people with a cool fancy nightlife to natives but movements in the wee hours might not be very safe to foreigners. The security establishment is working hard to overturn this. It is believed that foreigners carry a lot of money on them during their tours to Africa. The service providers too hike prices to unsuspecting foreigners.

Someone moving to Kampala will find lovely and friendly people. These people are very welcoming which can help the new resident feel at home, this is so awesome compared to other cities around the whole world! The environment and the vegetation is also worth noting. It is neither too hot nor cold, where else can you find such?

Cornelius, says: 2020

Kampala, capital and largest city of Uganda. It occupies a series of hills at an elevation of about 3900 feet and is in the south of the country, just north of Lake Victoria. In the country’s most prosperous agricultural section, Kampala exports coffee, cotton, tea, tobacco, an sugar. Kampala also has the Uganda museum. The city is home to several mosques, Hindu temples, and Christian churches.

Semanda, says: 2020

Comments are closed.

Names of respondents may have been changed.

Other cities and towns near Kampala

Share
Share