Uganda is a food basket; with almost all types of food, one would want to eat. From Turkish Kebabs, the Camel Meat, Rice, bread, packed food, fish to all forms of vegetables. But there are foods that are typically Uganda and you will only find them in Uganda.
If you happen to visit Uganda, never commit a non-penalized crime by leaving the country without testing Uganda Foods. They are delicious, rich in nutrients and will give you an everlasting memory about Uganda.
The List of Top 10 Uganda Foods
10. Matooke. It is safe to say that Matooke (Bananas) are the official food of Uganda. Everywhere you go, from North to Lake Victoria, from West to East, they are all taking Matooke in all forms, all versions. The everyday household form of Matooke is smashed bananas. If you arrive in Uganda just enter any restaurant or hotel and just say “Njagala Amatooke”.
9. Kikomando. This is a Ugandan street food found in every corner of the country. Kikomando is prepared by mixing chapati with beans. Chapatis might have originated from India Sub continent, but Kikomando is purely Ugandan. It is as cheap and affordable. With just a dollar, you can get yourself a lasting experience.
8. Roasted Gonja. Plantain has a lot of food products, from being eaten boiled, to crisps, plantain cakes, chips etc but here in Uganda, we roast Plantain and call it Gonja. It is a road side food that you will find on every trading centre on every high way in Uganda. You don’t need to look for an expensive hotel to get Gonja. Whenever traveling, park by the roadside you will see vendors bring organic gonja.
7. Posho. Except if you are from Kenya where Ugali is their official food served even in the State House, Posho will be a great cuisine for you, if you are in Uganda. Posho is got from maize/corn flour and is served in all restaurants countrywide. Whereas the traditional sauce for Posho has always been Beans, eating posho alongside fried goat meat, fried pork or fish hits differently and gives you a whole fresh feeling.
Photo credit: Plate Up
6. Katogo Breakfast. Eating Katogo as breakfast in Uganda is not just a food but therapy, the energy that keeps a smile on Ugandan face every day. Katogo is stew prepared by mixing bananas fingers with either g nuts, beans, or meat and a side pack of vegetables. The flavor from Katogo itself heals depression and stress.
5. Pork. I know you are about to say that:we eat this even in our countries. Yes you do! But there is a reason why Uganda was named the biggest pork consumer in Africa. Unless if your religion or culture bans you from tasting this damn creature, Uganda is the perfect place for you.
4. Nsenene (Grasshoppers). This is the most popular Uganda seasonal food. Nsenene are a bush cricket Ruspolia differens. Nsenene come in two seasons, May/June and November/December. The November to December is the most profitable season, no wonder the month of November is named Musenene in Luganda and Runyankore! These crickets are fried and eaten. You won’t need cooking oil, they have enough oils, you just need to add onions and some salt while frying. When you eat Nsenene, you will start looking at all crickets and grasshoppers differently!
3 Eshabwe and Akaro. Eshabwe has no English name. It is just Eshabwe even if you find it in London restaurants and am sure it is there. It is a bi product of Ghee while Akaro is mingled millet flour mixed with casava flour. Akaro is eaten in both Eastern Uganda and Western Uganda. But to get a full treat of Akaro and Eshabwe you must be in Western Uganda or hotels in other parts of the country that prepare that delicacy. I don’t know how many times that I have eaten Akaro and Eshabwe, but every chance I get, I must get the meal and enjoy the unique taste of one of the best Uganda foods.
2. Luwombo. This a traditional Ugandan stew native to Buganda Kingdom. You are not a chief guest at a Baganda ceremony if you are not served with Oluwombo. The cuisine is prepared using smoked banana leaves of ndizi banana plant. There are many versions of Luwombo including Chicken Luwombo, Goat Luwombo, G Nuts luwombo, Fish Luwombo. You just have to choose the Luwombo that works for you and enjoy!
1. Rolex. Stop thinking about the watch factory. Here is a Rolex that they eat. The rolex is a popular Uganda street food that is prepared by rolling a fried egg inside a chapati. Various ingredients can be added to make the rolex tastier and sweeter including onions, tomatoes and cabagges.
Uganda once had a Minister of Rolex! You can Google about it. Lol he was the Minister of Tourism who launched the rolex and poured money into marketing of the rolex to attract tourists and it earned him a nickname. Because he knew that he wasn’t just advertising a food, he was telling the world about the tastiest fast food in East Africa. When you arrive in Uganda, please take a Rolex, you will start pressurizing your government to allow import of Rolexes from Uganda, tariff free!
