Page 67 - October - December 2022 Edition

The tour starts in Ggaba with a 30-minute ride in Does all this sound like too much effort? If so,
a wooden boat before your 20 km cycle off the don’t panic, one of the simplest ways to enjoy
beatenpath. Wave to the kids - and avoid the Lake Victoria is to eat fish (tilapia or Nile Perch) by
pigs and goats! - as you ride dirt roads through the lakeside. For local flavour, sit on the quayside
banana plantations, maize fields and rainforest at Gaaba. Monday is market day and a riot of
on this leisurely, guided, 2-3 hour bike ride. Boda colourful vegetables and kitenge imported from
boda tours (organised by a registered company) Mwanza on the Tanzanian side of the lake.
allow you to easily tick multiple destinations off Another local favourite is the Kabaka’s Landing
your Kampala bucket list. Boda boda motorbikes Site at Mulungu (2km beyond Munyonyo). Here
are undoubtedly the easiest way to get around you can watch the fish being landed, weighed
Kampala but they can be very dangerous so and descaled. The menu is simple: deep-fried
make sure you always wear a helmet and a fish with or without chips and kachumbari salad.
high-vis jacket. Expect to sit on plastic chairs and eat with your
A dark tour focuses on the macabre history of hands. For more tips, read “Eating fish” on Lake
buildings and locations associated with Kabaka Victoria on www.diaryofamuzungu.com.
Mwanga and the Uganda Martyrs, and former For the best views of Lake Victoria - and a little
President Idi Amin and Obote’s torture more comfort - have a drink on the terrace at
chambers. A dark tour is not for the faint-hearted, Cassia Lodge on the top of Buziga Hill or visit the
but it does give you an interesting perspective. bar at the Hotel Diplomate in Muyenga.
Did you know, for example, that the official Tip: Diplomate’s reviews are very mixed, but the
name for downtown Owino market is St. Balikud- view is unbeatable.
dembe, one of the Uganda Martyrs?
No. 4. Eat
No. 3. Experience Lake Victoria New restaurants - from all corners of the globe -
A visit to Kampala is incomplete without Lake spring up weekly. Indian food is particularly
Victoria, Nalubaale in Luganda, “the place of good, thanks to the country's Asian community.
the spirits or ancestors.” Despite its proximity to For an authentic Ugandan eating experience,
the capital, few of us spend much time check out the St Anthony’s Restaurant on
exploring Lake Victoria. However, if you fancy a Lumumba Avenue, famous for luwombo
day on the water, the Mvule Boat www.themvule- (smoked fish served in groundnut sauce), kalo
boat.com is perfect for couples, families and (millet bread served in woven baskets) and other
groups of all ages. The classically designed local foods.
wooden boat is equipped with expert coxswains Flick through The Eye for contact details of a long
and lifejackets so you can explore the lake, list of Kampala restaurants, cafes and bars.
moor up and swim or try Stand Up Paddling. The
fee includes tasty food such as freshly prepared No. 5. Parte after parte
guacamole and a stir fry lunch, beers and With the pandemic (mostly) behind us, Kampala
sodas, board games, music, blankets (and is reclaiming its title as the party capital of East
plenty of lounging around). The boat needs a Africa. Ugandans love life and they will always –
minimum number of five people to set sail (but somehow - find money to party!
that can be made of people from different Not a late-night bird? The National Theatre
groups), or you can hire the whole boat for you www.uncc.co.ug and Alliance Française
and a party. Ask about the sunset cruise. www.afkampala.org/ have a regular programme
For a more strenuous interaction with the lake’s of cultural activities. Head to the National Theatre
spirits, rent a Laser, canoe or windsurfer from the for traditional African dance, jam sessions, movies,
Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club (just off the Expres stand-up comedy and the occasional festival, in
way near Munyonyo). The club runs sailing addition to theatrical and musical productions.
courses four times a year and organises kids
sailing courses with their fleet of children’s One Sunday per month, Sofar Kampala www.so-
optimist boats. To make a booking, contact the farsounds.com/kampala/ hosts live music sets
manager Emmanuel on WhatsApp 0755159732 and performance poets in a rotating choice of
or visit www.sailugandavnsc.org intimate venues across the city.

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