From the heady scent of freshly roasted Bugisu coffee spilling from a wicker sack to the papery, velvety feel of barkcloth unrolled beneath the shade of a Mpigi workshop, Uganda’s markets appeal to every sense.

Walk through Nakasero or Owino in Kampala and you’ll hear traders calling over the clack of beadwork being strung, see bright kitenge bolts catching the sun, and feel the humid Nile breeze carrying dust and spice from Jinja downstream.

Beyond the city, the misty slopes of Mount Elgon and the emerald canopy of Bwindi give rise to crafts tied to place: banana-fiber weaving, soapstone sculptures from Kigezi, and Ankole horn bowls polished smooth by hand.

If you’re hunting for souvenirs in Uganda, think tactile – the textures, scents, and stories are as much the purchase as the object itself.

Here’s what to buy in Uganda to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Barkcloth

Why pick this up:
Barkcloth is a UNESCO-recognized tradition in Uganda — made from the Mutuba (fig) tree — and carries centuries of ceremony and design. Its soft, fibrous texture makes it a striking wall hanging, table runner, or wrap that immediately evokes rural Mpigi workshops.

What to look for:
Choose pieces with natural dyes and visible beating marks; hand-made barkcloth will have slight irregularities and a warm, leathery feel. Look for traditional motifs or contemporary prints from Kampala designers.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 50,000–250,000 depending on size and finish.

Where to find it:
Craft villages around Kampala, Nakasero Market, workshops in Mpigi, and museum craft stalls.

2. Kitenge & Ankara Textiles

Why pick this up:
Bold, wax-resist kitenge fabrics are the palette of Ugandan fashion — used for dresses, headwraps, and interior accents. They capture everyday color from Kampala streets to village celebrations.

What to look for:
Buy full meters of thick wax-print cloth with clear, bright patterns and even wax lines; enquire whether the seller is local or importing prints. Tailor stalls in markets often offer made-to-measure options.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 20,000–80,000 per meter.

Where to find it:
Owino Market, Nakasero, kitenge stalls across Kampala and Mbale.

3. Bugisu (Mount Elgon) Coffee

Why pick this up:
Uganda’s highland Arabica from Bugisu and Mount Elgon has a bright acidity and chocolate notes that coffee lovers will spot immediately. Freshly roasted beans make a fragrant souvenir and a great gift.

What to look for:
Seek labeled Bugisu or Mount Elgon coffee, preferably whole beans roasted locally; check roast date and smell for freshness. Small cooperatives in Mbale and the slopes of Mount Elgon often have single-estate bags.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 15,000–45,000 per 250–500 g bag.

Where to find it:
Mbale markets, specialty roasters in Kampala, and airport shops at Entebbe.

4. Handwoven Baskets

Why pick this up:
Woven baskets — finished with bright rims or natural dyes — are everyday masterpieces from northern and eastern Uganda, useful and decorative. The grasses and fibers lend a warm, organic aesthetic to any home.

What to look for:
Favor tight, even weaving and natural raphia or banana-fiber materials; traditional shapes (market baskets, storage lidded forms) indicate local techniques. Size affects price considerably.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 10,000–100,000 depending on size and complexity.

Where to find it:
Owino, village markets in Teso and Lango regions, Fort Portal craft stalls.

5. Beaded Jewelry

Why pick this up:
Bead necklaces, bracelets, and belts often combine glass seed beads with cowrie shells or brass, reflecting Acholi, Karamojong, and Baganda aesthetics. They’re lightweight, colorful, and travel-friendly.

What to look for:
Look for tight beadwork patterns and local color combinations; ask about materials — glass or recycled beads are common. Traditional motifs and length/closure styles can signal an artisan-made piece.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 5,000–40,000. Where to find it:
Street stalls in Kampala, craftspeople at Ndere Centre performances, and Owino Market.

6. Soapstone Carvings (Kigezi Region)

Why pick this up:
Smooth, hand-carved soapstone animals and bowls from the Kigezi highlands (near Kisoro) are popular mementos, often carved with local wildlife or Ugandan scenes. The stone’s cool touch and polish make pieces tactile keepsakes.

What to look for:
Pick carvings with visible tool marks and uneven bases — signs of handcrafting — and avoid overly glossy, identical mass-made figurines. Small bowls and animal figures are most common.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 8,000–60,000. Where to find it:
Kisoro craft stalls, Bwindi-Buhoma souvenir sellers, and Kampala craft markets.

7. Ankole Horn Crafts

Why pick this up:
Ankole cattle horns are transformed into elegant cups, spoons, and jewelry; each piece shows the natural grain and patina of the horn. These items are deeply tied to pastoral Ankole identity and make striking tableware or décor.

What to look for:
Ensure the horn has been properly treated and sealed for food use if you intend to serve from it. Polished surfaces with a smooth interior are signs of quality craftsmanship.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 20,000–120,000. Where to find it:
Markets in western Uganda, specialty stalls in Kampala, and artisan cooperatives around Mbarara.

8. Wood Carvings & Gorilla-themed Art

Why pick this up:
Carvings of gorillas, birds, and masks are carved from local hardwoods and echo the wildlife of Bwindi and Mgahinga. The warm grain and hand-polished finish make these pieces atmospheric reminders of Uganda’s forests.

What to look for:
Look for firm, heavy wood and visible carving lines rather than perfectly smooth factory finishes; ask where the wood was sourced to ensure sustainable materials. Medium-sized carvings travel more easily.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 15,000–200,000. Where to find it:
Bwindi craft stalls, Fort Portal markets, and Kampala craft centers.

9. Mini Adungu & Traditional Instruments

Why pick this up:
Small adungu harps, thumb pianos (likembe), and hand drums bring home a piece of Uganda’s musical traditions and are beautiful conversation pieces. They also showcase regional craftsmanship from the West Nile and Acholi areas.

What to look for:
Choose instruments with real skin heads or hand-strung strings and ask a seller to play them; authentic tone and irregularities in tuning indicate handmade origin. Smaller, souvenir-sized instruments are easier to pack.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 80,000–400,000. Where to find it:
Cultural centres like the Ndere Centre, markets in Arua and Gulu, and artisan stalls in Kampala.

10. Shea Butter & Natural Soaps

Why pick this up:
Northern Uganda produces nourishing shea butter and plant-based soaps scented with lemongrass, ginger, or cocoa — perfect for giving a little self-care rooted in local flora. Many items are made by women’s cooperatives supporting communities.

What to look for:
Pick unrefined shea with a light nutty smell and soaps with clear ingredient lists; avoid products with long chemical ingredient lists. Look for cooperative branding or small business labels.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 8,000–40,000. Where to find it:
Women’s cooperative stalls in Gulu and Lira, Kampala farmers’ markets, and museum shops.

11. Ceramic & Stoneware Pottery

Why pick this up:
Handthrown pots and glazed stoneware from Fort Portal and western Uganda blend local clay traditions with contemporary design, making durable kitchen pieces. The tactile ridges and earthy glazes echo the Rwenzori landscape.

What to look for:
Choose pieces with even glazes and a stamp or signature on the base; irregularities in shape show handmade quality. Smaller mugs and bowls are practical for travel.

Price bracket (2025):
USh 10,000–70,000. Where to find it:
Fort Portal potters, craft stalls in Kasese, and Kampala artisan markets.

Tip: Always ask about provenance, check for maker details, and haggle politely at open-air markets like Owino and Nakasero — sellers expect friendly negotiation. 🙂

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Markets in Uganda are social places where bargaining, storytelling, and swap economies remain alive.

In Kampala, Nakasero and Owino (St. Balikuddembe Market) are longtime hubs for everything from fabrics to household tools. While regional markets like Mbale for coffee, Kisoro and Bwindi for soapstone and gorilla-themed crafts, and Fort Portal for pottery, showcase local specialties.

Artisan villages and cooperatives, such as Mpigi’s barkcloth workshops or women’s groups in northern Uganda, often sell directly at weekend bazaars or through the Uganda Museum craft village, keeping production and profits closer to the makers.

Bargaining is normal in open-air markets but less so in museum shops or branded cooperatives; a polite offer and friendly chat are part of the experience. Many crafts are seasonal or tied to ritual calendars, so you’ll see different goods at harvest time than during festival weeks.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for material honesty: true barkcloth has fibrous texture and beating marks; genuine soapstone feels cool and shows hand-tool striations; locally woven baskets use natural raphia or banana fiber and have slight asymmetry.

For textiles, printed kitenge with crisp wax lines and a heavy cotton weave is likelier to be locally stocked than thin, cheaply printed imports. Coffee should list origin (Bugisu, Mount Elgon or Kigezi) and ideally show a roast date or cooperative label.

Avoid items that look identical in bulk, mass-made souvenirs often come from interstate factories. Ask sellers about the maker, the material source, and whether cooperative or community groups produced the piece; genuine artisan items usually come with a story and visible signs of handwork.

Where to Shop in Uganda

• Nakasero Market (Kampala) — fresh produce, fabrics, and crafts.
• Owino / St. Balikuddembe Market (Kampala) — sprawling, budget-friendly finds.
• Uganda Museum Craft Village and Ndere Centre (Kampala) — curated artisan goods.
• Mbale and Mount Elgon region markets — specialty coffee and textiles.
• Kisoro & Bwindi area stalls — soapstone, gorilla art, and wood carvings.
• Fort Portal and Kasese markets — pottery and Rwenzori-inspired crafts.
• Entebbe International Airport shops — last-minute certified souvenirs and coffee.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Uganda expensive?
A: Prices range widely — small beadwork and soaps are very affordable, while large carved pieces, instruments, or high-quality barkcloth can be pricier; budgeting for mid-range artisan goods will get you the best quality.

Q: Is bargaining common in Uganda?
A: Yes, bargaining is customary in open-air markets like Owino and Nakasero; approach negotiations politely and with a smile, and expect to settle somewhere between your first offer and the seller’s price.

Q: How do I know if food items are safe to bring home?
A: Choose sealed, labeled products (coffee with roast dates, vacuum-sealed dried goods) and ask sellers for packaging suitable for travel; check your home country’s customs rules before purchasing perishables.

Explore Uganda’s markets and bring home the best souvenirs in Uganda.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!