Uganda

[Member #4178]

So, if the OP is currently able to withdraw cash from his ATM card in Nairobi, then he should be able to do the same in Kampala as well.

I got stuck in kanpala when both my master card and my Visa was unable to withdraw. I tried every ATM in town.

I had to ask my friend from europe to make a western union transfer. I will never forget it.

In kenya no ATM problems if you have two type of cards. Switching ATM may be required while some communication problems or the ATM is run out of cash. But never had a problem in kenya.

Next time I am going with cash.

[Member #4480]

Its not working, Bring cash.

Let me clarify my response. I'm not talking about using a credit card for purchases or cash advances. I'm talking about withdrawing cash using a debit card.

In both Kenya and Uganda, I routinely withdraw cash from Barclay's and Standard Chartered banks using my foreign issued VISA debit card with no problem. It's even free of charge when I use Barclay's because of a reciprocal arrangement they have with my bank.

So, if the OP is currently able to withdraw cash from his ATM card in Nairobi, then he should be able to do the same in Kampala as well...

[Member #4178]

Whatever card is currently working for you in Kenya should work in Kampala.

Its not working, Bring cash.

[Member #4480]

Guys,

Is it true that:

- foreign credit cards don't work in ATMs? What are your experiences with Mastercard and Visa?

Whatever card is currently working for you in Kenya should work in Kampala. Generally speaking, Mastercard is not accepted in Africa.

- budget hotels are of a very bad quality? When I moved to Kenya from Asia I was shocked by high prices and bad quality of the hotels. In this thread someone told in Uganda it's even worse.

Again, generally speaking, hotels in Africa are expensive and the quality is not up to snuff. That said, you should be able to find something in your price range that is acceptable. There are hotel recommendations on this thread.

How the hell are we supposed to survive there?

On pussy and Bell Lager. That's how I usually do it.

[Afaire]

Guys,

Is it true that:

- foreign credit cards don't work in ATMs? What are your experiences with Mastercard and Visa?

- budget hotels are of a very bad quality? When I moved to Kenya from Asia I was shocked by high prices and bad quality of the hotels. In this thread someone told in Uganda it's even worse.

How the hell are we supposed to survive there?

Thank you

[Member #4480]

4 us ollar? Thats cheap. Better to stay at that area then the city center.

If cheap is your thing, try Bwaise or even the slums right outside of Kabalagala. 1-2 USD.

[Member #4178]

The going rate for ST starts at 10, 000 UGS. A girl who considers herself a queen of the scene may ask for 20, 000 UGS, but can be had for less. If a girl asks for more than 20, 000 UGS it is probably better to move on. Oddly, the rate for LT is about the same as the rate for ST.

4 us dollar? Thats cheap. Better to stay at that area then the city center.

[Ice Cold Coke]

Kabalagala is located SE of the city center. The strip is located on Muyenga Road between Kibuli Road and Gaba Road. It is about 350m long.

There are a couple of hotels on the strip. Pearl Guesthouse is one and Mabira Hotel is the other. The music from the neighboring bar makes it impossible to sleep in Pearl from about 10pm to 6am. Mabira Hotel is much better. Rooms in Mabira start at about 40, 000 UGS. There are other hotels in the area, especially in Muyenga, but they are less convenient to bars and restaurants and may have other guests who are not denizens of the nightlife.

There are at least a dozen bars on the strip. Girls can be found in all of them. The two most popular are Capital Grill and De Posh. Both are crowded pretty much every night of the week.

Capital is full of pros. Some girls may not admit they are pros, but rest assured, nearly every girl in the place is there for one reason, to earn some extra shillings. There is an African girl there for every taste, regular or occasional worker, veteran or amateur, university student or product of the Kabalagala slum, big or small, young or old; you can find it at Capital. The going rate for ST starts at 10, 000 UGS. A girl who considers herself a queen of the scene may ask for 20, 000 UGS, but can be had for less. If a girl asks for more than 20, 000 UGS it is probably better to move on. Oddly, the rate for LT is about the same as the rate for ST. These girls rarely complain, and most will accommodate you for as long as your can go. With Wazungu, many girls do not admit they are pros. The want you to treat them as a girlfriend, something a local would never do. If you want, many will stay with you night and day, but rest assured they will not turn down outside business if the opportunity presents itself. A final note, you really have to watch your pockets in Capital, especially on the dance floor.

De Posh is a bit more upscale than Capital. There is a mix of pros and non pros. The pros move back and forth from bar to bar on the strip, so the particulars are the same wherever you find a pro.

There is not to do in Kabalagala outside of the nightlife. There are internet cafes, football on TV and pool in the bars.

There are places that provide massage in Muyenga, especially on Tank Hill Road. Massage and a HE will cost at least as much as ST or LT in the bars. Massage and all the extras can be had in Chez Bettina, but the prices are way out of line with the market.

Minibuses run along Gaba Road to Lake Victoria. Gaba Beach and KK Beach have food and occasionally live music. At Gaba Market they sell fried, Lake Victoria fish at cheap prices. Minibuses run along Gaba Road in the other direction to the city center. Motorbikes can also be hired to the city center from the strip for about 2, 500 UGS. Motorbikes to Garden City Mall run about 2, 000 UGS. Rule of thumb for motorbikes is 500 UGS per km.

[Wdarryl]

I am in Kampala tonight.

Anyone around want to go for a beer?

[Member #1955]

Hey,

Is the Mamba Point Guesthouse in Kampala girl friendly / do they charge extra?

[Wdarryl]

Am in Uganda now hanging with friends. Anyone around who would like to hang out sometime and chase some gals. Send me a message

[Member #4480]

The JBK is excellent at $50 USD per night for an air-con double. It is quite a challenge to find hotels in Africa that are in the $30 to $50 range and actually 'work'. You usually get the extremes, dumps under $30 USD that don't work or hotels above $50 USD that are over-priced. JBK fits nicely in the middle. Stay away from Aponye at $25 US per night, not everything 'works'. The extra $25 is worth it a t JBK.

Agreed and over the 3 or 4 years I've been going to Kampala, I haven't found anything better than the JBK in that price range, in that general location. Not even close. That said, I also understand that for some, $50 per night over a long period of time can add up and therefore the search for something cheaper, decent and functional continues.

To that end, the best option I've found to date is the Samalien Hotel on William street behind the old Equatoria Hotel (now a shopping mall). For a self-contained double in a secured, relatively quiet compound, it's about $20. As you would expect, there's no air-con but they do have a fan, TV (with limited channels) , hot water (from a tank vs head) and 24/7 power (full power). No fridge, but they do have chilled beers, sodas and water avail for sale at the reception. If they don't have something you fancy, they will go out and get it for you if someone is avail. Good staff (even better on a nominal tipping plan) and trustworthy. No restrictions on girls.

After 10pm, a boda or taxi is strongly advised to and from this location.

[Member #4379]

The JBK is excellent at $50 USD per night for an air-con double. It is quite a challenge to find hotels in Africa that are in the $30 to $50 range and actually 'work'. You usually get the extremes, dumps under $30 USD that don't work or hotels above $50 USD that are over-priced. JBK fits nicely in the middle. Stay away from Aponye at $25 US per night, not everything 'works'. The extra $25 is worth it a t JBK.

While you may deem the JBK as just an "average budget hotel", the reality is that it's actually more of an ABOVE average budget hotel for Kampala and the city center location. It also happens to be closer to Rock gardens (YOUR specified mongering location) than any of the other budget hotels. You were given what you asked for. Kampala is what it is.

Hotels like the 680 in Nairobi are well over your stated price range in Kampala. As far as distance is concerned, your beloved "Black Diamonds" in Westlands is NOT walkable from the 680 hotel, whereas Rock gardens is less than a 15 min walk from the JBK.

ITBO Night club? Never heard of it.[/QUOTE]

[LittleTruths]

Gentlemen,

I have a close friend who offers some interesting accomodation opportunity in Kampala as well as elsewhere in Uganda.

We're talking the guesthouse kind of accomodation, a good, clean, secure and comfortable room which is fairly priced; half way in between the expensive Hilton and the cheap Hostels.

Definitely worth a try.

I have no personal interest in this other than trying to help out a nice young friend who is a very good girl and wishes to try and make a buck with tourism.

She can provide drivers, guides and organize tours as well.

I have personally brought up the issue of accomodation in Kampala with her when she first told me she planned to start working in the tourism business. I knew this was an issue in town because I had read the forum while planning a trip over there, the trip didn't come yet but here we are. I might have done something good for the community, I certainly hope so.

Anyone who could be interested please just private message me and I will be glad to give you the contact details.

What goes around comes around.

Bless

[Member #4480]

Thank you guys for your inputs on Kampala prior to my trip. Stayed in JBK hotel. Average budget hotel with cooperative staff. But quite far for mongering. Checked out Rock Gargen Cafe and ITBO night club for pick up.

Happy mongering!

I see that you claimed to have went to Nairobi on this trip as well. Perhaps it escaped you, but Kampala is not Nairobi and is often referred to as a "village" by many Kenyans. While you may deem the JBK as just an "average budget hotel", the reality is that it's actually more of an ABOVE average budget hotel for Kampala and the city center location. It also happens to be closer to Rock gardens (YOUR specified mongering location) than any of the other budget hotels. You were given what you asked for. Kampala is what it is.

Hotels like the 680 in Nairobi are well over your stated price range in Kampala. As far as distance is concerned, your beloved "Black Diamonds" in Westlands is NOT walkable from the 680 hotel, whereas Rock gardens is less than a 15 min walk from the JBK.

ITBO Night club? Never heard of it.