Arts and crafts in Kampala : Kampala city has several places where you can buy a variety of African Arts and Crafts and Souvenirs like carvings, baskets, weaving, fabrics, t-shirts, and much more. Some Arts and Crafts, souvenirs are imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya such as soapstone crafts – bracelets, and another African type of Jewellery but at the end of the day, you are taking home a piece of Africa as a souvenir or gift for someone as a reminder of your visit to beautiful endowed Uganda.
The items to be purchased of arts and crafts, souvenirs, and gifts impact the lives of ordinary Ugandans, and most of these are handmade including; beads or earrings, bangles, handmade drums of various sizes, weapons such as spears, carved items, items made out of bark cloth, banana leaves shaped into Christmas crèches to Greetings Cards, items made of gourds, African musical instruments, paintings, batik and many others. Come explore for yourself with www.jewelsafaris.com
Popular places in Uganda with African souvenirs, Arts and crafts
Uganda Arts & Crafts Village:
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The Uganda Arts and Crafts Village is situated behind the National Theatre in Kampala. Items various handicrafts from wood carvings to leather items, Ugandan shirts and dresses, even Ugandan chairs and small tables that are nicely carved with a village or wildlife scene. This is one of the oldest and most established places in Kampala where you can buy various handicrafts. Compare the prices between shops in order to purchase the best and affordable items.
Exposure Africa:
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This one is situated along Buganda Road and is the biggest and leading arts and crafts market in Kampala though a few are locally made in Uganda. Most of items here are imported from countries like Kenya. Here, you will find a variety of products in one place, something that should be satisfying to most tourists.
Friday Craft Market:
Every Friday in Nsambya along Ggaba Road is a crafts and arts market day. Pass by while on a Uganda safari and you have the assurance of dealing face to face with the real artisan and this gives you an opportunity to get a proper explanation of how well these arts and crafts are made. If you are visiting in Kampala, do not miss the Friday Craft Market. Not only can you buy some great handicrafts here but is also a cultural experience as you explore different handmade items from different cultures.
Uganda Crafts-2000 LTD
These are located along Bombo Road, Kampala. This is a non-profit fair trade store that sells hundreds of handmade items that are made from leather, wood, cane, banana leaves and some of the items made include; baskets, ornaments, purses, tableware, wooden crafts, jewellery, greeting cards and so much more. The variety of local crafts are from Uganda, Kenya and Congo but 80% is Ugandan made. Uganda crafts 2000 limited provides training and employment to the disadvantaged people with disabilities, widows, orphans and those living with HIV.
Therefore, any items purchased avails funds that improve on standards of living of the artisans but also helps to sustain their jobs.
Banana Boat
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Banana boat has several locations like at Garden city shopping mall, Lugogo mall, Kisementi, and many other scattered sales points. They offer items for sale made from better and original arts and crafts materials from Uganda and other African Countries which include greeting cards, batiks, jewellery, clothing, carvings, metal art, and much more.
The prices at Banana Boat are moderately expensive but with a variety to choose from. Banana Boat has favourably the best access points for all travellers since they can easily be located.
Nommo Gallery
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Here is also Uganda’s National Art Gallery where one can find the artwork from not only talented local artists but also the ones from the East African countries’ artists. At this gallery, there is a fine selection for the ardent lover of African arts and crafts. The gallery is located at Nakasero next to Sheraton Hotel on Plot 4 Victoria Avenue. Though it is mainly a gallery for display, there is also a shop where the unique products of wonderful artworks and crafts are sold. It’s worth a visit while in Uganda for a Uganda safari though at times it is not open 24/7.
Kampala has many places where you can buy arts and crafts – keep your eyes open as you venture around in this amazing city – there other items that make great gifts – from local coffees that you can buy in attractive mini-coffee sacks at Coffee shops such as 1000 Cups of Coffee, Ban Café, and Café Pap – naming a few.
Owino Market is also a place for fabrics, spices and much more – local supermarkets have some reasonably priced Ugandan coffee such as “Big Gorilla Coffee” and Star brand “Bugisu Arabica Beans” that taste like lovely Sumatran coffee, even a kilo of sugar from Kakira with their lion on the package make a nice gift – the sugar is like turbinado sugar. Tea – one of the main drinks here is lovely in flavor and at a very low price – both in bags or fine bulk. The list is endless in the things that you can buy to keep the memories of your visit to the Pearl of Africa alive.
Items on display include
Crafts: these range from sandals for all age and sex groups; handbags made out of beads, wood, palm leaves, sisal, papers, banana-fiber, fabrics, and backcloth; carvings from wood, soap, stones, Malakite stone, and ceramics. Also drums of various sizes like Jembe drums and others; baskets from central and western Uganda; mats, table mats, keyrings, knives, fridge magnets, and many others.
Jewelry: these take the form of earrings, bracelets, bangles, and necklaces. They are made out of beads, papers, Malakite stone, bone, coconut, cow-horn, ebony wood, brass, copper, ametite, shells, and others.
Clothing: there is a wide selection of African pants with different prints such as animal prints. Others are Uganda Jazzes; printed and embroidery T-shirts, hand-woven shirts, mama & paper shirts, wrappers, scarves, and Kikoi. African fabrics (Bitengi materials), Masaai blankets & children’s wears, skirts, dresses, and hair bands and so many others.
There are antiques from Congo and masks from Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya such as Masaai.
Your purchases are do make a sound difference in the life of artisans and sellers.
www.jewelsafaris.com is ready to take you for a the Kampala city tour and you will get an opportunity to explore of the above mentioned arts and craft markets. Reach out to us via our Email: info@jewelsafaris.com
Uganda Safari Packages
1 Day Kampala City tour Uganda
3 Days Sipi Falls Hike Tour Uganda
2 Days Queen Elizabeth Park Safari
