Best shopping deals in Kampala

Kampala is full of hidden bargains, if you know where to look. Dead stock items, which are unsold or leftover goods, can be found in many places, from fabric stalls to furniture workshops. The same chair or piece of cloth might cost double at one stall compared to another, depending on which stall you visit. Savvy shoppers in Kampala avoid expensive boutiques and big shops. Instead, they go to open markets and workshop areas where prices are lower and bargaining is welcome.

This helps them get good quality items like fabric, home appliances, fresh food, and furniture at much cheaper prices. Many of these things come straight from the source, without extra costs from middlemen. Here are some of the best places in Kampala to find a good deal.

Foodstuffs

For staples and groceries, the big story is Nakasero market versus Kalerwe market. Nakasero located in central Kampala is cleaner and more organised, but it caters to middle-class customers. You will find premium produce and meats, but at higher prices. Kalerwe located on Gayaza road is the city’s main wholesale hub. Farmers and traders bring loads of fruits, vegetables, fish and beans here. Prices at Kalerwe can be 20–50 percent lower than Nakasero for the same items.

For example, a large sack of tomatoes at Nakasero might cost far less at Kalerwe, especially if you buy in bulk. However, there is a twist: Kalerwe’s prices can swing wildly with supply.

Vendors at Kalerwe note that any hiccup in the supply chain such as broken-down trucks, bad weather or late harvests means excess or shortage, leading to big price drops or hikes. In fact, traders say they often have to unload quickly at cut-rate prices if produce is overripe or in danger of spoiling during transport. This volatility is good news for savvy shoppers who time purchases right.

Arriving at Kalerwe on a surplus day after, say, a local harvest or return of early rains can yield exceptional bargains. By contrast, Nakasero’s vendors pride themselves on reliability and quality, but pass on their higher operating costs and middleman markups in the form of higher prices. “When choosing between Nakasero and Kalerwe, judge what you need. If you only need a little and value convenience/cleanliness, Nakasero is fine.

But if you want to stock up and do not mind bargaining and maybe washing items yourself, head to Kalerwe. If possible, visit Kalerwe late in the day or just before the weekend, sellers will often slash prices to move stock before closing. And always try the technique of pointing out even small blemishes to convince traders to knock off another 10-20 percent on the spot, “Jane Nassuna a shop keeper in Kalerwe advises.

Nakawa market

At Nakawa market, what others consider dead stock has become a goldmine for bargain hunters and small traders. For example, branded canvas shoes that cost up to Shs90,000 in high-end malls can go for as low as Shs 20,000 at Nakawa. Branded shirts and jackets that typically go for Shs70,000 to Shs120,000 in Kampala boutiques are available here for just Shs15,000 to Shs30,000.

Even quality kitchen items such as stainless steel cutlery sets, which retail at over Shs50,000 in supermarkets, are sold for as little as Shs20,000. This price difference allows ordinary shoppers to buy quality items they might otherwise not afford, while informal traders take advantage of the low prices to stock and resell at competitive rates. “I buy all my foodstuffs from Nakawa Market,” says Ketra Arinaitwe, a resident of Ntinda. “You can get vegetables and fruits very cheaply. For instance, with just Shs 5,000, I get more than 30 oranges to make juice for more than two weeks in my household of four. That same amount would only buy about 20 oranges elsewhere.”

Household items and appliances

Katwe is widely known as Kampala’s go-to place for hardware and secondhand electronics. Many of the items sold in Katwe are either used, refurbished, or direct imports. These appliances may not be fresh off the production line, but they are often still in good working condition. Prices here are noticeably lower than in formal retail outlets. A secondhand washing machine or a slightly outdated TV model can go for a fraction of the price you would pay in a city-centre mall.

Because some of the items have been on the shelves for months, traders are usually open to negotiating. “The secret is to ask around and compare,” says Henry Kitayimbwa, an appliance mechanic in Katwe. “Check what is left in stock, and be ready to test the item before buying. If one seller is firm on price, you can ask to swap for a less polished unit and negotiate a lower rate. And do not get stuck on big-name brands, a no-name fridge can do the job just as well at half the price.”

Furniture

When it is time to furnish home or office, skip the high-end showrooms. Kampala’s Ggaba Road is lined with furniture shops and wood workshops. Here, you will see craftsmen making sofas, shelves, beds and tables on the spot. Ggaba’s secret is cheap, locally sourced wood. Many workshops double as salesrooms, so prices are significantly lower. Expect to pay 20–30 percent less than in city-street furniture stores for comparable pieces.

For instance, a solid wood dining table that costs Shs1m at a mall might be offered for Shs700,000 on Ggaba Road, even before bargaining. "To get the best deal, shop mid-week as some owners offer discounts on slow days and always bargain. Many Ggaba vendors will knock down the price by up to 15 percent or throw in a free stool or shelf if you ask. If possible, get the name of a reliable carpenter and arrange pickup of a “roomful of stock”. Buying multiple items usually nets a larger total discount,”Dickson Kabayo, a workshop owner in Ggaba

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Elsewhere in Kampala, a few other furniture districts have popped in places such as Ntinda and Ndeeba. As Kabayo explains, cutting out a formal showroom means “we sell to you what we make, no middleman or showroom rent, so you save.”