Top 10 things about Uganda

Ugandans are so notorious for their kindness that they say that if a Ugandan tries to rob you, he will apologize again and again as he takes your things. Uganda, fondly called ¨The Pearl of Africa,¨ is a great starting point for people who have never been to Africa before, as the people are friendly, the official language is English and the country is quite safe.

This East African country may not be large, but it has a lot to offer. In Uganda, you can experience the hectic yet fun capital city of Kampala, experience the nature – whether it be its national parks, lakes, rivers, mountains or islands- or learn about its diverse culture and its many tribes.

Uganda, Africa photo: uusc4all

Owino Market, Kampala

It seems almost if by magic that clothes from Asia, Europe and the United States ended up in this huge market in the center of Kampala. Owino Market has everything, especially in the way of clothes and is a bargain shopper’s paradise. On a good day, with some searching and a bit patience, you might even score some designer names. The place can be hectic, and you will have to channel your bartering powers, but Owino is well worth it!

Owino Market in Uganda, Africa photo: gipukan (rob gipman)

Sipi Falls

Sipi falls are a series of waterfalls located in the district of Kapchorwa. While the waterfalls are stunning, the tranquility of the place is equally as captivating!

Road Food

My favorite part about the 4-hour bus ride from my village to Kampala was the 5-minute pit stop the bus made on the side of the road for food.

As the bus pulls up to make the food stop, men and women run up to the bus with chicken, beef and liver on a stick, and gonja, a sweet, fried plantain.  If you can ignore aesthetics and any preoccupations about hygiene, you will be blown away by how amazing food prepared on the side of the road can taste!

Nile Special Beer

Brewed in Jinja, the source of the Nile River, Nile Beer is a delicious light beer served in a generous-size bottle!

Ugandans photo: uusc4all

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth Park is located in Western Uganda. A safari through this immense park will allow you to see the diversity of Uganda´s wildlife and the opportunity to stand at the equator line!

Ugandan English

Ugandans have their own brand of English. Expressions like ¨Can you extend please?¨ and ¨You´ve been lost,¨  may confuse you, but will no doubt leave you charmed. And if you stay too long in Uganda, you might just pick up the dialect!

BodaBodas

BodaBodas are motorcycle taxis that are widely used throughout the whole country.  In Kampala, riding a bodaboda as it weaves in and out of traffic that seems to lack any order can be a terrifying but exhilarating experience! You will also be mesmerized in the way that Ugandans can haul unimaginable quantities of anything and everything (lumber, boxes, goats – you name it!) on motorcycles.

Sipi Falls In Uganda, Africa photo: gipukan (rob gipman)

Jinja – The source of the Nile

Jinja is the second largest town in Uganda and the source of the Nile river. This cute town , with a growing number of eclectic shops and restaurants,  also offers tourist activities such as river rafting and bungee jumping.

The Nightlife

In Kampala, on any given day of the week, you can find a bar or club with a great ambiance, full of people. One of the best parts of the Ugandan nightlife is the music and you will be sure to be won over by Ugandan´s most famous musical duo – Radio and Weasel!

The people

Ugandans are among the friendliest people I´ve ever met throughout my travels. Upon meeting you, they will invite you into their home and treat you like a dear friend. They may suggest you marry one of their relatives- but they will make you feel right at home!

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About: Ashley Gundermann

Although she spent most of class daydreaming about seeing the world, Ashley Gundermann managed to pass high school and went on to study at Western Washington University. Upon completing a degree in journalism in 2008, and thus fulfilling her parents´ pleas to get an education before globe trotting, Ashley embarked upon a long-awaited adventure.

She left the rainy state of Washington in 2009 and hasn’t stopped traveling since. From 2009 to 2011, Ashley worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda, Africa, a country that will forever hold a special place in her heart. After completing her service, she decided to take a drastic step in order to improve her Spanish and moved directly to Madrid, Spain, where she currently works and resides.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys running, soccer, belly dancing, playing the guitar, reading, writing in her blog, cooking when she has the patience, and being in nature in any sort of capacity. She is particularly interested in anything and everything to do with Africa, health and fitness, learning new languages and learning new instruments.She endeavors to appreciate and learn as much as she can about this wonderful world we live in – And she is always eager to travel to new places, try new foods, learn new dances, hear any and every kind of music and learn about different places and cultures.

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