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Uganda Food and Drink

  • A market in Uganda
  • Jackfruit
  • Tasty multicolored fruit
  • Local market


The cuisine of Uganda has been greatly influenced by English, Asian, Arab and Indian cuisines. It is hard to describe Ugandan food as one entity as each region has specific delicacies or specialities. Many dishes include vegetables and fruits like potatoes, yams, bananas and other popular tropical fruits. Barbecues are favourites among the population, especially pork, goat and sometimes chicken grilled over an open fire charcoal stove. However, among rural populations, meats are often consumed less.


Popular dishes include:

Eastern Region
Malewa: This is a very traditional dish that is made from bamboo shoots. Once the bamboo shoots have been prepared, they are often added to stews allowing for a very unique flavour.

Central Region
Ebinyebwa: This is a peanut stew that is a staple in the central region of Uganda. It is sometimes mixed with mushrooms, dried fish and vegetables, with rice on the side.

Northern Uganda
Sim-Sim: This literally means sesame and is a paste that is often mixed into stews of beans and other green vegetables and is usually served as a side dish. The paste can also be preserved and then used as a condiment.

Matoke: This is a staple for all Ugandan people. It is a plantain - a banana - which gets steamed while wrapped in banana leaves. The matoke is mashed and served on a fresh banana leaf. It is eaten in many restaurants and often accompanies meat with a sauce of vegetables and ground peanut.

Luwombo: This is a traditional Buganda dish of stew composed of chicken, beef, mushrooms or fish that have been steamed in banana leaves.



Bell lager and Nile lager are popular Ugandan beers, but each region has their own local beer. Pombe and lubisi are generic words for locally brewed fermented beer made from banana or millet. Uganda waragi can mean Ugandan gin, but it is also a generic term for domestic distilled beverages. Tap water isn’t always safe in all parts of Uganda, so drinking bottled water is advisable and it is best to check with locals and guides.


Things to know:

Tipping is not standard practice, however, it is appreciated for good service. In tourist areas, 5-10% is a suitable tip in restaurants.

Drinking age:




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