5 Cheap Hangout Places in Kampala to Explore This Holiday

If you want to travel on a really low budget this festive season, then cheap hangout places in Kampala should be among your top destinations. Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, is teeming with rich culture, friendly people, and numerous attractions, making it one of the best places to visit in East Africa.

This city offers a wide range of experiences and it’s just amazing how tourists make some of the most memorable travel moments here at very affordable prices. In this post, See Africa Today brings you cheap hangout places in Kampala to visit on a low budget and enjoy the experience.

Table of Contents

1. Kabaka’s Lake

Kabaka’s Lake is located in Ndeeba, between Nabunya Road and Ring Road. It is Uganda’s largest man-made lake and has an amazing history, making it a tourist attraction. This lake was constructed from 1885 to 1888 by the cooperation of over 52 Buganda tribes during the reign of Ssekabaka Mwanga.

The plan of the king was to construct a channel wide enough for him to travel by boat to Lake Victoria to fish and swim. However, the construction of the channel was abruptly stopped due to a religious conflict that broke out in the kingdom.

Kabaka’s Lake. Photo/ Laba Africa Expeditions.

Today, the lake occupies an area of about two square kilometre and is recognized as a conservation site. It is also a birder’s paradise with numerous birds on site. A tour to Kabaka’s Lake is very affordable, making it one of the cheapest hangout places in Kampala to visit on a budget.

2. Kasubi Tombs

Built in the 13th century, the Kasubi Tombs are an important historical, cultural, and spiritual centre for the people of Uganda and Africa as a whole. This is the burial place of four of the last Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda, and all princes and princesses who are their direct descendants are buried at the back of the main shrine.

The Kasubi Tombs are just one of the 31 royal tombs spread across the Buganda Kingdom. They became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and are among the cheap hangout places in Kampala to visit. The Kasubi Tombs are located five kilometres away from the centre of Kampala in Kasubi Hill.

3. Gaddafi National Mosque

Also known as Uganda National Mosque, Gaddafi National Mosque is the second biggest mosque in Africa after King Hassan Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. This religious place, located at Kampala Hill, was a gift to the Muslim community in Uganda by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya.

Gaddafi National Mosque. Photo/ Uganda Rwanda Safaris.

Gaddafi National Mosque acts as the head office of the Ugandan Muslim community and supreme council and is ideal for those who seek insight into Art and Islam. It is among the most visited places in Uganda and one of the cheap hangout places in Kampala to visit.

4. Bahai Temple

Bahai Temple is the oldest and the first mother temple to be built in Africa. The construction began in 1958 and it was the tallest building in East Africa when it was completed in 1961. Bahai Temple is visited by many people from Uganda and many other countries who want to explore the architectural design, beautiful natural environment, and the history behind it.

Bahai Temple. Photo/ Uganda Rwanda Safaris.

5. Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo

Day trips in Kampala isn’t it without visiting Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo. Between 1885 and 1887, 32 young men were killed for their refusal to renounce Christianity. King Mwanga of Buganda authorized the killing of 22 of those men, with 13 being burned to death and others killed in different ways.

The Uganda Martyrs Shrine dedicated to the 22 Martyrs and saints of Uganda. Due to its history, many people visit this place not only during the Martyrs Day celebration but even on other days. Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo is one of the cheap hangout places in Kampala to visit on a budget, especially if you want to learn more about the martyrs.

Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine. Photo/ www.ugandamartyrsshrine.org.ug

What Are the Best Areas of Kampala?

Kampala is becoming an increasingly popular destination for both locals and expats alike. Here are best neighborhoods in Kampala, perfect for real estate investors, first-time home buyers, real estate agents and homeowners.