One Day in Kampala, Uganda: First Impressions, History, and Elections

Why I only stayed one day in Kampala

I had planned to spend a week in Kampala. But two weeks before my trip, I realized I’d be there during Uganda’s January 15, 2026 election day.

President Museveni has been in power for nearly 40 years, and elections often bring tension, protests, and government crackdowns. In 2021, the government shut down the internet nationwide for four days to control information flow, causing chaos for locals and travelers alike.

For visitors, election season means closed businesses, limited transportation, protests, and loss of internet and mobile money access — all unpredictable and disruptive.

I considered sticking to my original plan, but when I asked others for advice, the message was clear: don’t visit during the election.

So I cut my trip short and left Kampala two days before the vote. Just six hours after I left, the government shut off the internet. I absolutely feel like I escaped in the nick of time.

I’m frustrated by this censorship and don’t plan to return until the political climate changes. That said, Uganda’s rich culture and hospitality still deserve attention — just maybe not during election season.

First impressions of Kampala

Kampala is hectic in a way that is both overwhelming and alive. As Uganda’s capital city, it moves fast but without much structure. There’s no formal mass public transportation system, and unemployment is visibly high.

I read an article that described Kampala’s men as young, educated, and underemployed, many turning to boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) as a primary source of income. That observation felt accurate immediately.

Like much of Africa, Uganda has a very young population.

"Uganda has the second youngest population in the world. More than three quarters (78%) of its citizens are below the age of 35, and this youthful population is projected to double in the next 25 years"... and that youthfulness shapes the city’s energy, economy, and pace of life...which is chaotic.

Traffic and transportation in Kampala

If Kampala had one defining feature, it might be traffic.

The roads are packed with cars and motorcycles, and boda bodas weave through traffic with impressive but dangerous confidence. During a single day, four out of five Uber drivers had to stop for fuel mid-ride, and several didn’t have cash on hand so there was a long waiting period of how were they going to pay, machines weren't working...etc.

It’s not necessarily unsafe, although we did almost get into an accident 2x, and phone robberies are prevalent from motorists, it's unpredictable. Transportation in Kampala requires flexibility, patience, and I think a sense of humor.

Main attraction: Kasubi Tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The Kasubi Tombs were the highlight of my time in Kampala. The tombs, which were once a palace, are the largest grass-thatched structure in the world, built almost entirely from organic materials.

They are Uganda’s third UNESCO World Heritage Site, after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Kasubi is the burial site of four kings of the Buganda Kingdom, one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms that still exists today. Visiting felt grounding — a reminder to foreigners I hope that Uganda’s history runs deep, well beyond colonial timelines.

Quick Uganda History and Cultural Context

The name Uganda comes from Buganda, the largest and most influential traditional kingdom.

They just dropped the B to unify the region.

• Luganda is the language of the Baganda people.

• A Muganda is a person from Buganda.

• Buganda is just one of several kingdoms that make up modern Uganda.

• Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962, but cultural influences predate that by centuries.

• Religions arrived through various routes: Catholicism via French missionaries, Protestantism through the British, and Islam through Arab traders. Uganda is largely tolerant of all religions.

There are 6 main kingdoms in Uganda:

1. Buganda Kingdom — ruled by the Kabaka (King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II since 1993).

2. Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom — ruled by the Omukama (King Solomon Iguru I since 1994).

3. Busoga Kingdom — ruled by the Kyabazinga (King William Wilberforce Nadilope IV since 2014).

4. Tooro Kingdom — ruled by the Omukama (King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, crowned at age 3 in 1995).

5. Rwenzururu Kingdom — ruled by the Omusinga (King Charles Wesley Mumbere I, recognized in 2009).

6. Ankole Kingdom is the only one not officially restored by the government. A claimant exists (His Majesty Charles Rwebishengye) but....not officially recognized.

   
   

Why, you ask? The current president, Yoweri Museveni, is from Ankole and opposes restoring the kingdom because he doesn’t want “two leaders” from the same region.

Basically, he said, no two kings at the same time—wait your turn.

(Reminder: this man is 81 years old.)

Food and cafés in Kampala

My first stop was Kardamom & Koffee, a café partially owned by a friend of mine from college. It was calm, stylish, and exactly the reset I needed after a chaotic arrival!!

I also built a Google Maps list of Kampala sites, restaurants and cafés, mostly sourced from TikTok recommendations and local tips — a mix of “cool,” popular, and tourist sites.

Art, culture, and what I missed

With only one day, of course I didn’t get to everything. Highlights for a future visit:

• Makerere University — the oldest university in East Africa and a source of pride.

• Afriart Gallery — a growing contemporary art scene in Kampala.

• Mountain gorilla trekking — Uganda’s internationally famous wildlife adventure (also in Rwanda).

• Buying More souvenirs — like Uganda’s bark cloth, a UNESCO-recognized traditional fabric made from fig tree bark, crafted into wallets, belts, and art.

  I bought a painting titled “American Soccer” from a local artist for $100.

  (In Uganda, basketball is sometimes called “soccer” because that’s what people think Americans mean. I love it.)

Final Thoughts on Kampala

Kampala is intense, young, and full of movement. One day wasn’t enough — but enough to know I want to come back when it’s not election season and there’s no internet blackout.