THE URBAN GAZETTE — FULL WEEKEND GUIDE (FRIDAY → SUNDAY NIGHT)
Your all-city, all-day planner for Kampala • Entebbe • Jinja • Mbarara • Gulu
Uganda’s cities come alive every weekend — from sunrise Friday to late Sunday night. Here’s the definitive guide to help readers plan where to go, what to see, and how to spend each day across the country’s top urban destinations.
KAMPALA — The Capital of Weekends
FRIDAY – Nightlife
Evening:
Rooftop sundowners at Kololo and Nakasero terraces
Happy-hour socials, comedy lounges, and spoken word events
Night:
Kisementi party strip → clubs, DJs, and dance floors
Live band nights in Bugolobi & Ntinda
SATURDAY — Culture, Brunch, Shopping & Nightlife
Morning:
Brunch cafés open early with themed menus
Craft markets at National Theatre & Buganda Road
Yoga, fitness bootcamps, and cycling meet-ups
Afternoon:
Mall and pop-up shopping
Film screenings, book clubs, and art studio tours
Street-food afternoons & city food festivals
Evening:
Sunset dining in Garden City rooftops
Theatre productions at National Theatre / La Bonita
Art parties, mixers, and exhibitions
Night:
Nightclubs, Afro-fusion nights, rooftop DJs
Night food courts open till late
SUNDAY — Brunch, Breeze & Reset
Morning:
Kampala’s iconic brunch buffets (bottomless options)
Malls open for artisan vendors & family activities
Afternoon:
Lakeside relaxation in Ggaba or Munyonyo
Soft acoustic concerts & poetry sessions
Evening:
Early dinners, sunset views, soft jazz lounges
City wind-down before the new week
ENTEBBE — The Lakefront Getaway
FRIDAY
Morning:
Botanical Gardens walk
Birding trails & lakeside photography
Afternoon:
Lake Victoria cafés for lunch
Wildlife Sanctuary visit or craft shop browsing
Evening:
Sunset on the pier, quiet breezy cafés
Boat cruise into golden-hour waters
Night:
Beach bar lounges, acoustic guitar performers
SATURDAY
Morning:
Waterfront breakfast
Biking trails around the peninsula
Afternoon:
Beach sports: volleyball, jet skis, paddle boarding
Sand-side picnics & grill sessions
Evening:
BBQ nights at the beach
Family-friendly bonfires & sunset dining
Night:
Calm lake-view bars or movie nights at resorts
SUNDAY
Morning:
Yoga or meditation by the lake
Coffee & pastries along the shoreline
Afternoon:
Eco-park walks, birdwatching, nature relaxation
Art and antique markets
Evening:
Romantic lakeside dinners
Peaceful sunset to close the weekend
JINJA — The Adventure Capital
FRIDAY
Morning:
Breakfast overlooking the Nile
Craft market shopping
Afternoon:
Light activities: tubing, boat rides, Nile village tours
Visit the historical Source of the Nile
Evening:
Riverside dining
Sundowner spots with mellow music
Night:
Bonfire meet-ups at lodges
Soft acoustic nights under the stars
SATURDAY
Morning:
Rafting expeditions (full or half-day)
Quad biking and bungee jumping
Kayaking or mountain biking
Afternoon:
Recovery lunch by the river
Art galleries, pottery centers & craft workshops
Evening:
Craft beer taprooms
Riverside social evenings
Night:
Lodge bonfires, storytelling nights, live acoustic acts
SUNDAY
Morning:
Late brunch overlooking the Nile
Souvenir shopping & café lounging
Afternoon:
Slow boat ride
Artisan studios & market tours
Evening:
Calm dinner, riverside breeze
Early retreat for Monday prep
MBARARA — The Western Rhythm
FRIDAY
Morning:
Breakfast with Ankole milk delicacies
City strolls & cultural stops
Afternoon:
Local market tours
Highland scenic drives
Evening:
Grill houses & sundowner lounges
Local music performances
Night:
DJ nights, contemporary bars, and lounges
SATURDAY
Morning:
Nature walks & farm tours around the city
Ankole cultural museum explorations
Afternoon:
Café hopping & restaurant lunches
Local artist exhibitions and craft shops
Evening:
Outdoor dining with hill views
Urban social events and mixers
Night:
Live bands, DJs, nightlife in central Mbarara
Sunday
Morning:
Resort brunch outside the city
Poolside lounging & spa treatments
Afternoon:
Nature escapes, reading spots, relax zones
Scenic drives
Evening:
Slow dinners, calm wind-down
GULU — The Northern Creative Hub
FRIDAY
Morning:
Coffee in local cafés
Museum and cultural center visits
Afternoon:
Explore Gulu’s art spots & Acholi craft boutiques
Lunch featuring Luo cuisine
Evening:
Rooftop sundowners
Local band rehearsals & culture nights
Night:
Acholi dance events & contemporary lounges
SATURDAY
Morning:
Art studio tours & pottery sessions
Open-air creative workshops
Afternoon:
Weekend food markets
Street fashion pop-ups and creative expos
Evening:
Live performances and poetry nights
Social lounges & themed community meet-ups
Night:
Afrohouse DJs & nightlife blend of local/urban beats
SUNDAY
Morning:
Brunch spots with northern breakfast specialties
Calm streets ideal for photos & urban strolling
Afternoon:
Nature walks in outskirts
Small exhibitions & craft fairs
Evening:
Quiet dinners
Slow, peaceful end to the weekend
