About this experience
Step into the vibrant heart of Kampala on a guided tour of Katanga, one of Uganda’s largest informal settlements. Often misrepresented, Katanga reveals a community rich in resilience, ingenuity, and untold stories.
Led by a local guide, you’ll explore its history, growth, and role in Kampala’s urban life. Wander through lively alleys lined with chapati stalls, artisans repurposing materials, and bustling markets alive with colour & energy.
Meet residents eager to share their perspectives and visit homes and youth projects that showcase education and innovation in the face of hardship.
While the tour acknowledges the realities of overcrowding, sanitation challenges, and poverty, it equally celebrates the spirit of perseverance—the laughter of children, the rhythms of church music, and the pride woven into daily life.
More than a tour, this is an exchange of cultures and perspectives. Proceeds support local initiatives, ensuring your visit leaves a lasting, positive impact.
At a glance
- Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Plan your experience
Set aside 1 hr 30 min for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Professional English Speaking Guide
Not included
- Snacks
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
Katanga Slum, located between Makerere University and Mulago Hospital in Kampala, is one of Uganda’s largest informal settlements, home to tens of thousands of people. The settlement is characterized by overcrowded housing, poor sanitation, and frequent flooding due to inadequate drainage.
Many residents live in small, makeshift homes built from mud, wood, or iron sheets. Despite these hardships, Katanga is alive with resilience and creativity. Its narrow alleys bustle with activity—chapati stalls, fresh produce markets, artisans recycling scrap, and small workshops sustaining livelihoods.
Families adapt to limited resources by building strong social networks, while youth groups and community projects work to break cycles of poverty through education and innovation.
Challenges such as poverty, disease, and land disputes remain, but Katanga’s spirit shines through in the pride of its people, the laughter of children, and the determination of young entrepreneurs shaping its future.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Kitenji Uganda Safaris and Tours
Accessibility and practical details
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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