A few shopping/dining tips for new volunteers

As we have been based in Mbarara I have some tips for those whose placement is in/near Mbarara.


Markets with imported goods

• Pearl
• Kirimi
• Lucky (limited choices)
• New Beka

Restaurants with western food

• Lake View Hotel - it's a gamble when ordering anything on the menu-might be good, might not. Lunch buffet is nice and has African and a few western dishes. Also has a nice pool which you can use for 7,500 shs.
• Agip Motel and Restaurant - we enjoy their food and a couple of favourites for omnivores - fillet for all seasons, and beef stir fry with rice
• Classic Hotel - food is good but service is very slow. The second floor balcony is a nice place to sit and enjoy a beer and watch the goings on in the street.
  

In Kampala near the VSO office in Muyenga

• Chez Johnson - do NOT stay there - we're heard many complaints about them and it's very noisy during the night as well
• DO go to the Indian Summer restaurant which is in the same complex as Chez Johnson. Great food!
• Fuego - down the road from VSO across from the Chinese restaurant - good meals - great beef - nice atmosphere in a large garden
• Italian Market across from the office - a very popular spot for volunteers and NGO employees who live/work in the area. The shop has many imported items, the sandwiches are good, and the ice cream in the cafe is also a good treat.
• Cafe Roma - on the same road as VSO but about a mile away - great if you order Italian food but we've been very disappointed in the other options such as pork or steak.
• Shalom Hotel - near the office - we haven't stayed there but others recommend it.
• International Landmark - close to the office - more expensive than others in the area but we enjoy it as it was where we spent our first night in Uganda and the staff treat us as old friends since we always stay there when in Kampala.

Other Kampala shops/restaurants

• Le Patisserie - in the Quality Hill shopping centre with Le Petit Village Hotel and Le Chateau restaurant near the US embassy. Good bread and pastries.
• Garden City Mall! - Uchumi is my favourite for stocking up on foods/household items/toiletries. You'll get more variety, large economy sizes, less items past their sell by date, and a cheaper price for many items than you'll get in Mbarara.
• Lugogo Mall - Game - If you need any small appliance or utensil for the kitchen they will have it. We bought a small fridge/freezer at Game for about 300,000shs. Shoprite is also good and has some items you can't get at Uchumi.

Entebbe

Airport Guesthouse Entebbe is a great place to chill when waiting for a flight. There is a small garden and a veranda with comfy chairs. Regular rate is $55/night for a double or twin. However, if you let them know you are a volunteer they'll only charge you $45. Dinner is $15 and is good but not spectacular. Beware of going in the rainy season though as you'll be bombarded by annoying lake flies when you sit outside and take care that they don't get into your room.

Products

Small appliances and other products that are made in China but would not be accepted by the American or European market are sent to African countries. We are on our third electric tea kettle.

I recommend a Philips iron as it can survive many falls to the floor and I've had the same one for 2 years.

We purchased a fan at Uchumi that was made in Japan - Nikai - and after frequent use over the past 18-20 months it's still working fine.

Toilet paper - I have tried every brand and the best one is Golden Lion. Don't buy Golden Camel as it's similar to using a newspaper!