Kampala By Regina: Popular Life

The internet has limited content depicting the city of Kampala, however, the information provided is thus suggestive of the popular life in the present-day capital of Uganda.

It is worth noting that most sites begin with a remark of the historical background of Kampala – including the hills and antelope anecdotes from the previous blog – as a grounds for introducing the city today. The city is noted for its mixed composition: evergreen trees, red-tiled villas, green iron-roof bungalows, and taller modern buildings comprise the city of Kampala. Interestingly enough, according to Uganda Tourism, Kampala is revered as the “greenest in Africa.” Not only is it known for this, but it is also respected as the “heart of Uganda,” granted that it is the capital. Furthermore, Kampala serves as the country’s commerce hub.

Diversity seems to be a common thread that is applied not only to the composition of the city, but also to other aspects of the city. For example, websites note that there is a wide range of types of accommodations one can stay at when visiting Kampala. Additionally, sites mention the variety of food establishments scattered throughout the hills of the city.

I found the discussion of the nightlife scene to be quite pertinent to popular culture. It seems as though the old industrial area has more nightspots and clubs, although bars seem to be spread out around the city. The five casinos indicate that quite the entertainment establishments are represented throughout the city.

Given this vibrant social and commercial environment that Kampala creates, I chose to explore the Garden City Shopping and Leisure Center more closely. Described as a “modern complex housing almost everything,” this place contains a great variety of shops. In addition to the shops, Garden City offers Pay TV on the first floor, which allows Kampalans quite the luxury of Digital Satellite Television if they choose to purchase this. At the complex, visitors can buy crafts and gift items, books, leather products, photography accessories, and Woolworths. Ugandan banks, salons, and optics are also a part of the complex. This complex is located on the eastern side of the city, east of Nakasero Hill, near a golf course.