Arriving from Nairobi

• uganda became touristy lately after all went to Uganda instead of Kenya for the postviolence, so maybe better book in advance

• i wouldnt really stay in blue mango if i were you. it was sold to indians that messed the place up and it is now a hospital. try Red Chili or Backpackers. There are many alternatives now I like. E.g. try "Bukoto guesthouses", etc...

• bus terminates in town. just take a "special hire" for a couple of dollars to your hostel. Kampala is very safe and easygoing

You will need to book for Red Chilli they get very busy, I've always been OK turning up at Backpackers (usually when I've turned up at RC and they've been full!). You can book both direct over the internet.

I would reccommend Backpackers over Red Chili for a friendlier crowd, nicer staff and an overall more laid back vibe. It is also much closer to town. I guess there are some advantages to Chili such as its in slightly better state of repair and there's free internet but I'm a Backpacker through and through!

Mango doesn't exist as it once did. It was reopening when I was there at the start of this year but no one really knew much...

If you want to save cash and are brave enough to face the taxis parks of Kampala then don't get a special hire (private taxis) just go to the New Taxis Park and get on a matatu towards Mengo and ask the conductor for Backpackers. Everyone who works in the taxis park tend to be very helpful and friendly and will be happy to point you in the right direction in the highly likely event that you get a little lost!

Enjoy beautiful Uganda.

When in Kampala I usually stay in the Deep Guest House at the start of Kansanga - its directly on Gabba Road after the US Embassy, Kabalagala & just after KIU (Kampala International University) Its on the left hand side - about 10 mins or so from the city bus station on the taxis (small crowded white/bluestriped minibuses
Its only a few minutes walk from the small shopping centre with supermarkets, loads of cheap local food outlets at about 30cents a meal if you look behind the front shops - or cafes where some NGO frequent - at about $2 per meal
The guest house is basic, clean - safe with a 24 hour guard - in its own compound - self-contained - hot water when requested to switch it on - a generator, has double rooms for 15,000 Ug $7.50 and one even at 10,000 Ug.
Guess one drawback is you may hear the music from the club across the road at night but its not too loud to sleep - I like it!
Its also not too far to walk into Kabalagala which is one of the busiest night life areas in Kampala - although the taxis pass by very frequently
Taxi to city centre about 50c or less

yebo - I wouldn't go anywhere near Uganda at the moment. Best off to stay in Kenya with a hot water bottle tucked up in bed!

What a strange post busprowl (and a strange name!!) Why...would you not go anywhere near Uganda at the moment?

Do enlighten those of us who love Uganda....

ignore 5 above.

Steer clear of Backpackers. I found the toılets dırty the staff rude and red chıllıs whıle been a bıt busy ıs much better run!

Why not stay in the city center? If you are going to stay in Kampala, don't stay in the burbs. The hotels range in price and of course you are paying for location more than quality, but you really aren't staying in your room or the hotel that much when visiting a country right? When you walk out the door you are in the throngs of merchants and business people, where you are only a few blocks from the incredible coffee shops and artisian markets and dvd sellers, near the bars that have kareoke and sports playing, street people, taxi parks and trinket sellers. You can walk down the crowded alleys of downtown and get lost amongst the stores and hawkers and weird eating places and street food.

One such place (which is not great accomodations but attached to a bar and simple resteraunt) is the City Square. There is another place directly across from the National Theater with fairly nice rooms surrounded by pastry shops and newspaper sellers, the bus station (Akamba), the mall, arts, coffee shops, internet cafes. A few others are downtown too, right in the heart of the city and you feel it beating all the time.