Streets of Kampala

Fri 08 Feb, 2013

Kampala, the capital of Uganda is your typical sub-saharan capital. Unpaved roads – even in the very center of the town, tons of people, little stores and open markets, creative ways for public transportation, building anarchy and a city center with some high-rise buildings that demonstrate the wish for economic growth. But Kampala is also different. For starters, it is safe. We walked the streets and alleys in the center, even at night without feeling threatened. People look at you – obviously the skin color attracts attention – but not intrusively. We noticed a lively student community, young couples walking hand-in-hand in the streets and some cozy European style cafes and restaurants. Overall, I think that westerners will feel a bit more at home here than in most of the other sub-saharan capitals. Political tensions seem to be a part of – near – history and the city seems to be on the express way to economic growth.

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Kampala night view

On our afternoon walk through the city center, I had the opportunity to snap a few shots of people. Only once I got rejected and most of the people did not protest on having their picture taken, although I received few smiles back.

The yellow Jerry can is the trade mark of sub-saharan Africa and symbolizes the need for clean water. In rural areas, people walk for miles and hours carrying the precious water in these containers. Many families live on just one 20lt Jerry can per day. Eben in big cities, Jerry cans are everywhere.

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The yellow containers are the trademark of Africa

The Boda or Boda-boda is a motorbike taxi and the most popular way of transportation in Kampala. The term comes from border-to-border that bicycle owners were shouting to people wished to travel through the no-man’s-land between the Ugandan-Kenyan border.

Boda-boda in Kampala
Boda-boda in Kampala
Boda Boda
Boda Boda

Kampala is big city and you will come across many different types of people. Open markets, full of colors are everywhere in the center.

Fruit market in Kampala
Fruit market in Kampala
Kampala, in the center of the town
Kampala, in the center of the town
Bring home some water
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Bananas
Bananas
Little beggar in Kampala
Little beggar in Kampala
Carrrying stuff
Carrrying stuff
On the streets of Kampala
On the streets of Kampala
Couple walking in Kampala
Walking couple in Kampala
Bootblack and client
Bootblack and client
On the streets of Kampala
On the streets of Kampala
The barber shop
The barber shop

Next: Rafting the Nile

Kampala