If you are looking for some unique and creative crafts to buy in Uganda, you might want to visit the markets and shops in Kampala and Entebbe. These two cities are known for their vibrant and diverse craft scenes, where you can find everything from handmade jewelry, pottery, baskets, textiles, paintings, sculptures, and more.
Today, we will share with you some of the best places to go shopping for crafts in Kampala and Entebbe, as well as some tips on how to bargain, what to look for, and how to support local artisans.
Shopping for crafts in Kampala
Kampala is the capital and largest city of Uganda, and it has a lot of options for craft lovers. Here are some of the most popular places to shop for crafts in Kampala:
- Banana Boat: This is a chain of three stores that sell a wide range of crafts from Uganda and other African countries. You can find beautiful baskets, bags, hats, mats, and other items made from banana fibers, as well as jewelry, wood carvings, masks, dolls, and more. The prices are fixed and reasonable, and the quality is high. The stores are located at Garden City Mall, Lugogo Mall, and Kisementi.
- Craft Village: This is a cluster of stalls located behind the National Theatre, where you can find hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of crafts. You can browse through the colorful displays of beads, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, anklets, and more. You can also find batik fabrics, tie-dye clothes, leather goods, paintings, drums, and other musical instruments. The prices are negotiable and you can bargain hard to get a good deal. The Craft Village is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Exposure Africa: This is another large craft market located on Buganda Road, near the Watoto Church. It has over 100 stalls selling similar items as the Craft Village, but with more variety and quality. You can find some unique and exquisite pieces here, such as recycled paper jewelry, cow horn products, soapstone carvings, metal art, and more. The prices are also negotiable and you can haggle with the friendly vendors. Exposure Africa is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm.
- Nommo Gallery: This is a gallery run by the Uganda National Cultural Centre that showcases and sells the works of local artists. You can find some amazing paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other forms of art here. The gallery also hosts exhibitions, workshops, and events throughout the year. The prices are fixed and vary depending on the artist and the size of the work. The gallery is located on Nakasero Hill Road and is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Shopping for crafts in Entebbe
Entebbe is a town on the shores of Lake Victoria, about 40 km from Kampala. It is famous for being the location of the international airport and the former seat of government. It also has some great places to shop for crafts, such as:
- Victoria Mall: This is a modern shopping mall that has a few stores that sell crafts. One of them is Uganda Crafts 2000, which is a fair trade organization that supports disadvantaged artisans. You can find some beautiful products here made from natural materials such as bark cloth, raffia palm, sisal fiber, papyrus reed, and banana fiber. You can also find jewelry made from recycled paper beads, cow horn beads, and seeds.
Another store is Swahili Secrets, which sells handmade soap, body butter, lip balm, and candles made from natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils.
The mall also has a supermarket, a cinema, a food court and other amenities. The mall is located on Berkeley Road and is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm. - Entebbe Crafts Village: This is a small craft market located next to the Victoria Mall. It has about 20 stalls selling similar items as the Craft Village and Exposure Africa in Kampala,
but with less variety and quality. You can still find some nice souvenirs here, such as wood carvings, masks, baskets, fabric and jewelry. The prices are negotiable and you can bargain with the vendors. The market is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
Tips for shopping for crafts in Kampala and Entebbe
Here are some tips to help you have a better shopping experience in Kampala and Entebbe:
- Bring enough cash with you as only a few craft sellers accept credit cards or mobile money.
- Be respectful and friendly with the vendors and do not touch their products without permission.
- Do not be afraid to bargain, but do not be too aggressive or rude. A good rule of thumb is to start with half of the asking price and work your way up to a reasonable amount.
- Be aware of the quality and authenticity of the products. Ask the vendors about the origin and the materials of the products.
- Buy what you like and what you can afford. Do not feel pressured to buy something you do not want or need. You can feel free walk through and look for another stall or store as you compare different designs and prices.
- Support local artisans and fair trade organizations by buying from them. You will not only get some unique and high-quality products, but also help them improve their livelihoods and preserve their culture.
If you are looking for some unique and creative crafts to buy in Uganda, you might want to know the best time to go shopping for them in Kampala and Entebbe. These two cities are known for their vibrant and diverse craft scenes, where you can find everything from handmade jewelry, pottery, baskets, textiles, paintings, sculptures, and more.
When to Shop?
The weather and seasons play a big role in determining the best time to go shopping for crafts in Kampala and Entebbe. Uganda has a tropical climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The rainy seasons are from March to May and from September to November. The dry seasons are from December to February and from June to August.
The rainy seasons can make shopping for crafts more challenging as the roads can be muddy, the traffic can be worse, and the stalls can be wet. The dry seasons can make shopping for crafts more pleasant as the weather is sunny, the roads are clear, and the stalls are dry.
However, there are also some advantages of shopping for crafts during the rainy seasons. For one thing, there are fewer tourists and more locals, which means less competition and more bargaining power. For another thing, some crafts are more abundant and cheaper during the rainy seasons, such as baskets made from papyrus reeds that grow near the swamps.
The dry seasons also have some disadvantages of shopping for crafts. For one thing, there are more tourists and fewer locals, which means more competition and less bargaining power. For another thing, some crafts are less abundant and more expensive during the dry seasons, such as wood carvings that depend on the availability of trees.
Festivals and events
Another factor that affects the best time to go shopping for crafts in Kampala and Entebbe is the festivals and events that take place throughout the year. Uganda has a rich and diverse culture with many festivals and events that celebrate its history, heritage, religion, art, music, and more.
Some of these festivals and events can make shopping for crafts more enjoyable as they offer more variety, quality and entertainment. The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, an event that attracts travelers from around the globe who usually have an appetite for high quality crafts. The Expo is organised by the Uganda Tourism Board and showcases the culture and creativity of Kampala offering an array of craft stalls alongside other features such as a Nyama Choma.
The upcoming Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo will be hosted at the newly inaugurated Convention Bureau of Speke Resort Munyonyo, a magnificent venue on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. The event is expected to attract over 70 hosted buyers and 300 exhibitors, including tourism boards and corporate companies, as well as over 1000 trade visitors and consumers. In addition to showcasing exquisite crafts, the expo will facilitate pre-scheduled meetings designed to foster business deals and networking opportunities, with thoroughly vetted hosted buyers set to explore Uganda’s unique tourism attractions.
There are other events where quality craft products are on sale but shopping for crafts a bit hard where very large crowds of people are in attendance like the Uganda Martyrs’ Day, an annual event that takes place on June 3rd and commemorates the martyrdom of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts who were killed by a local king in 1886. It attracts millions of pilgrims from Uganda and neighboring countries who visit the shrines and churches in Namugongo, near Kampala which makes it a bit hard to access or enjoy the craft markets in Kampala during this time due to an influx in population.
Independence Day which is an annual national every October 9th and marks the day when Uganda gained its independence from Britain in 1962. It involves a lot of celebrations, ceremonies, and sometimes fireworks in various locations across Uganda and packs an opportunity to appreciate the craft markets in Kampala or Entebbe and a perfect time to buy at a negotiated discount.
Availability of products
The last factor that affects the best time to go shopping for crafts in Kampala and Entebbe is the availability of products. Some products are available all year round, while others are seasonal or limited. Some products are also affected by external factors such as demand, supply, quality and price.
Some examples of products that are available all year round are jewelry made from recycled paper beads, cow horn beads and seeds, baskets made from banana fibers and pottery made from clay. These products are easy to find and relatively cheap in most craft markets in Kampala or Entebbe.
Some examples of products that are seasonal or limited are paintings made by local artists; sculptures made from metal; and soapstone carvings made from stone. These products are harder to find and relatively expensive in most craft markets in Kampala or Entebbe. They depend on the availability of the materials, the skills of the artisans, and the demand of the customers.
Another good place in Uganda where you can get some rare crafts is Jinja where products such as batik fabrics made from cotton; tie-dye clothes made from silk; and leather goods made from animal skins are common in most craft shops and markets.
These products are subject to fluctuations in quality, price, and supply in most craft markets in Kampala or Entebbe. They depend on the weather conditions, the market trends, and the ethical issues.
Where to Shop:
- Craft markets: These are open-air markets where you can find a variety of crafts from different regions and ethnic groups. You can browse through stalls and haggle with the vendors, who are usually the makers themselves or their relatives. Some of the most popular craft markets in Kampala are the National Theatre Craft Market, the Buganda Road Craft Market, and the Banana Boat Craft Market. In Entebbe, you can visit the Nakiwogo Landing Site Craft Market or the Kitoro Craft Market.
- Craft shops: These are more formal shops that sell curated and quality crafts from selected artisans. You can expect to pay higher prices than in the markets, but you can also enjoy a more comfortable and convenient shopping experience. Some of the best craft shops in Kampala are Banana Boat, Afriart Gallery, Exposure Africa, and 32 Degrees East. In Entebbe, you can check out Banana Boat or Uganda Crafts Village.
- Art galleries: These are places where you can admire and buy original artworks from local artists, such as paintings, sculptures, prints, and photography. You can also learn more about the history and culture of Uganda through the art. Some of the most renowned art galleries in Kampala are Afriart Gallery, Nommo Gallery, Makerere Art Gallery, and Umoja Art Gallery. In Entebbe, you can visit Victoria Art Gallery or Entebbe Art Gallery.
- Community projects: These are initiatives that aim to empower and support marginalized groups through craft making and selling. You can buy crafts that have a social impact and help improve the lives of the artisans and their families. Some of the most notable community projects in Kampala are Uganda Crafts 2000, Sanyu Babies Home, Paper Craft Africa, and Nsambya Babies Home. In Entebbe, you can support Ride 4 A Woman or Entebbe Women’s Association.
In a nutshell;
Shopping for crafts in Kampala and Entebbe can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can find some amazing and diverse products that reflect the rich and vibrant culture of Uganda. You can also learn more about the people and their stories behind the crafts. We hope we have given you some useful information and inspiration for your next shopping trip in Uganda. Happy shopping!
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