Entertainment in Uganda
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Ndere Centre
If you're interested in traditional dance and music, try to catch a performance of the Ndere Troupe. It's composed of members of the many ethnic groups in Uganda and has gained international acclaim on world tours. The troupe has a new base in Ntinda, the Ndere Centre, out beyond the Blue Mango, which includes an auditorium, a restaurant-bar and even some accommodation. Performances take place every Sunday at 18:00 and are inexpensive.
It also promotes a comedy night, every Friday at 19:00. Those with a serious interest in African dance could stay here. 'You stay in this guesthouse, you are sure to become a philosopher', it promises.
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A
Rumours
A popular local spot for a beer, but a little out the way for most tourists. It has perhaps the best location of any bar in Jinja and is prime sunset territory. It is built entirely from wood and has a series of walkways running along the edge of the river. To get here take a boda-boda to the source of the Nile plaque and head upriver a short way. It is quite a descent to the riverbank from the side of the road, so watch out on a dark, wet night after a few ales.
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B
Musicians Club 1989
Kampala musicians get together every Monday at the National Theatre for informal jam sessions and live performances. This is a must if you are in the city, as the place fills up with Ugandans letting off steam after a Monday back at work and the drinks flow. On the second and last Monday of the month, the whole event shifts outside the theatre and becomes a mini-festival, complete with beer tents and a serious sound system. A great night out.
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C
Capital Pub
An infamous imbibing institution in Kabalagala, this is cut from the same cloth as Al's. Check out the elaborate eaved roof at the back, with nearly a dozen pool tables, making getting a game that much easier. This place is always busy and has more than its fair share of pushy prostitutes from all over the region, but most of them troop off to Al's by the early hours.
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D
On the Rocks
One of the definitive stops on the Kampala nightshift, this place has a covered bar and a huge outdoor area, absolutely heaving with people from about 21:00. The complex includes a couple of small dance floors and drinks are a fair deal, given it is part of the Speke Hotel. Prostitutes hang out here in numbers and pickpocketing is not unheard of on a busy night.
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E
Just Kickin'
The top sports bar in Kampala that helped make Kisimenti the kickin' place it is today. Big rugby and football matches draw the faithful, but it's a busy bar any time. A sign above the front door reads: 'No hookers. Props and locks welcome.' Well, that's the idea, anyway. Good bar food in case you get the munchies.
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F
Sombrero's
If you are already tanked up and feeling cheesy, head to the leading club in town, although if you have seen the places it is leading, that isn't quite the commendation it sounds. Local expats hit it once in a while and it's a more Ugandan experience than life at the camping grounds.
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G
Sabrina's Pub
Little more than a local bar from the front, peek through the double doors at the back and it transforms into a huge gig venue. Live bands perform on the large stage out the back most weekends, including the famous Stone Band on Friday, whipping the crowd into a dancing frenzy.
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H
Kampala Casino
In addition to the usual range of gaming tables, the casino has a good buffet, live music, and free beer if you're playing the tables. No shorts or scruffy gear are allowed here. It is pretty busy most nights, and minimum stakes are low by international standards.
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I
Rouge
Kampala's first lounge club, the über-hip Rouge wouldn't be out of place in a Euro-capital. Cocktail hour continues into the evening and sooner or later dancing takes over from drinking. Tuesday is jazz, Wednesday is salsa and Friday hip hop.
reviewed
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Volts
Located a little way out of the city on the Entebbe Rd, this is a major league club with a serious sound system. Themed nights include Caribbean tunes and '60s flashbacks. Look out for the searching spotlights scoping the sky.
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J
Slow Boat Pub
At the heart of the city, this is much more of a local drinkers' bar than the location might suggest. It's a good place to hang out for an afternoon session with a few beers and watch Kampala life go by.
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K
Ange Noir
The 'black angel' is pronounced locally as 'Angenoa', a pretty fair rendition of the French, and is the most popular club for dancing. Everyone knows it, but it's not signposted on the main road.
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L
Club Obbligato
A top local joint for Ugandan music, the popular Afrigo Band plays here every weekend and is well worth catching. Warm up here to some live music before hitting one of the nearby nightclubs.
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M
Club Silk
In the same street as Ange Noir, this is an identikit club that is also heaving with locals. The floor décor is luminous and hideous, so try not to be feeling nauseous heading in here.
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N
On the Rocks
One of the definitive stops on the Kampala nightshift, this place has a covered bar and a huge outdoor area, absolutely heaving with people from about 21:00. The complex includes a couple of small dance floors and drinks are a fair deal, given it is part of the Speke Hotel. Prostitutes hang out here in numbers and pickpocketing is not unheard of on a busy night.
reviewed
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O
Musicians Club 1989
Kampala musicians get together every Monday at the National Theatre for informal jam sessions and live performances. This is a must if you are in the city, as the place fills up with Ugandans letting off steam after a Monday back at work and the drinks flow. On the second and last Monday of the month, the whole event shifts outside the theatre and becomes a mini-festival, complete with beer tents and a serious sound system. A great night out.
reviewed
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P
Bubbles O'Learys
Kampala's contribution to the growing legion of Irish pubs, this is one of the more authentic. The bar and all the furnishings were shipped in from an old Irish pub back home on the emerald isle. This is now the 'in' place to be on Friday, for the next five minutes at least, and draws a fun crowd. Live music on Wednesday, DJs on weekends, but there is a cheeky cover charge on big nights.
reviewed
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Q
Cineplex
The leading cinema group in Uganda is Cineplex, with two locations, the original on Wilson Rd and a new one in the Garden City Complex. The newer one screens new Hollywood releases and charges USh11,000 evenings and weekends, while the original screens slightly more dated features.
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R
Sax Pub
Forget the name, there is no jazz here, but plenty of action. It started out pretty sane with a good mix of African and Western tunes, but lately things have become pretty wild with working girls and an 'anything goes' atmosphere.
reviewed
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Al's Bar
A legend in Kampala, this is the most famous bar in Uganda, although notorious might be a better word! This is the one place in Kampala that you can be guaranteed to find some people propping up the bar into the wee hours of the morning. It gets very busy on weekends, and attracts a regular crowd of expats, Ugandans and a fair number of prostitutes, meaning half the customers or more. There are two pool tables, but you might need to stay all night to get a game.
Drinks are reasonable, and it is not uncommon for this bar to be open 24 hours. It's just down the road from the Half London . Special-hire taxis between here and the city centre cost anything from USh4000 to…
reviewed