Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. Kampala was founded in the 19th Century, when the king of Buganda had his seat in the hills. The name “Kampala” originated from a British Lord Captain Frederick Lugard on which he built his fort. Originally, the city was limited to a small area of about 50 square kilometers. Historically, this city was dominated by wetlands and hills which form natural breeding grounds for Impala and other members of the antelope species. The Kabaka or King of Buganda ruled this place and turned the hills into his hunting grounds. To date, Kampala city is made up of five divisions namely: Kawempe, Nakawa, Central, Rubaga and Makindye division and each division is represented by a member of Parliament to enable services reach the common man.
As far as security is concerned, Kampala city is tightly guarded by a number of police posts and Army barracks among other security forces. Tight security in Kampala has enabled people to do a number of activities day and night however, less work at night in Kampala but chilling takes the bigger percentage. Would you like to take a tour in Uganda and experience Kampala Nightlife? If you’re ready to get your taste, here’s a look at six major spots you could check out during your visit to the city.
Centenary Park in Kampala central division –
Centenary Park is a small area of bars and restaurants off the side of a shopping mall. It’s more conducive to a few friendly drinks with friends than a night of shenanigans. Laftaz Comedy Lounge hosts events during the week, with plenty of lounge seating to kick back on with a cocktail and enjoy the show. Alternatively, bars like Kyoto are perfect for spreading out with some friends and a round of beers.
Acacia Avenue in central division –
Acacia Avenue is among the shinier streets in Kampala and home to the Acacia Mall and some few higher-end apartments and hotels. If you want to entertain your friend please add Acacia Avenue on your list because the place is littered with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. For me it was the perfect spot to catch up on some sports. Further along the avenue are bars such as The Wink and Casablanca, attracting a more local crowd. For this reason, they’re perhaps a little more intimidating for the regular tourist. The hustle and bustle of Kampala during the day transforms into vibrant nightlife after dark.
Ntinda in Nakawa division –
Not far from Acacia Avenue is the Ntinda area, which is somewhat of a more contemporary and chic area of the city. Its indie flavour makes it quite popular with students, and it’s also littered with little restaurants and bars (some of which are a bit high on the price scale). Koko Bar, filled with stylish students at night, blares music out its windows into the street. A few blocks away — just outside Ntinda — is the popular Cayenne, which doubles as a restaurant and is one of the more well-known bars in town.
Kabalagala in Makindye division –
Kabalagala is strategically situated at Ggaba road making it easier to connect to Gaba beach and other beaches at the shores of Lake Victoria. I wouldn’t say Kabalagala is dangerous, but it is definitely a different vibe than places like Acacia Avenue, and if it’s your first day on the continent, you may feel a little out of your depth. The clubs are big, loud, and crowded, so if that’s your scene, this is where you should head. Basic common sense is more than enough to keep you safe. There are also many venues to choose from, so it’s a good idea to head there with a local friend or guide to help you bar-hop through the best of them.
The Industrial Area in central division –
If you like your nightlife experience with a bit of flash, the Industrial Area is your best place to chill from. While in Industrial area expect to see blazers, high heels, short skirts, shiny sofas, and glitter. There are several clubs in this part of town, but Club Guvnor, Club Silk, and Club Play among others are the devilish trio that keep people sliding on the dance floor until sunrise.
Salsa nights –
Latin dance scene in Kampala. Salsa is big, along with other dances like bachata and kizomba. Almost every night of the week the dance community will gather in one of the bars around the city, usually starting with a free (or very cheap) beginner’s lesson followed by social dancing. This is a great way to meet new people, learn new things and meet Kampala to people up close.