Most visitors landing in Uganda skip Kampala and head straight for the untamed upcountry for up-close encounters with elephants and mountain gorillas. Yet the capital city’s dusty urban sprawl—set among seven green hills dotted with terracotta red roofs and traditional Ganda huts peeking out from tropical tangles of mango trees—is more than worthy of exploration.
Once the heart of the powerful Buganda Kingdom, one of five that ruled over the country until the end of the 19th century, Kampala owes its name to the herds of impala antelope that once freely roamed its forests. Over the years, the city has witnessed the colonial ambitions of the British and endured the brutal rule of Idi Amin, eventually emerging resilient from the political upheaval that followed in the 1980s.
Kampala has since blossomed into East Africa’s hub of commerce, culture, and creativity—a colorful blur of “old meets new,” where boda-boda motorbikes weave through throngs of street sellers hawking their wares and a lively all-night scene pulses with energy until the sun comes up.
Amid the chaos, Kampala still offers pockets of tranquillity that invite visitors to pause and take it all in, including peaceful parks, tucked-away lakeside spots and historical sites like the Kasubi Tombs—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial ground of four Buganda kings. Here are picks of the best things to do in Kampala.
Kampala’s must-see mosque was partially funded by the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Scott Campbell
Explore the Uganda National Mosque
When Idi Amin was sent into exile in 1979, his ambitious project for a mosque in Old Kampala to serve the city’s Muslim community ground to a halt. Decades later, in 2007, the building was finally completed with the support of then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Today, tens of thousands gather every Friday in its stunning, stained-glass-lit main hall for prayers. Don’t miss the chance to climb the minaret’s 272 steps—it’s a bit of a workout, but the panoramic views over the city at the top are well worth the hike. Guided one-on-one tours, led by knowledgeable volunteers and priced at $10, explore the mosque’s rich history and impressive architecture, giving context to the societal significance of this landmark.