Katogo
Start your day off right with this Ugandan breakfast. Traditionally it is made with offal but if that’s not up your street then you can always ask for it “without insides”. It is made with a thick sauce and normally plenty of Matoke. A good start to the day if you have had a heavy night on the Waragi (a local gin).
Rolex
The king of Ugandan food! You can find Rolex in every corner of Uganda and for good reason. It is the perfect salty snack street food made by rolling (hence the name) cabbage, onion and tomato in an omelette in a Chappati. The number of eggs in your omelette and the number of chapattis in your Rolex are optional so feel free to build the perfect Rolex for you.
African Tea
Quite like a Chai tea, African tea is a rich and spiced drink. Best made with fresh milk and plenty of sugar- having a sweet tooth is very important in Uganda.
Matoke
Matoke is a particular type of banana which is harvested when green and used in everything. It has the consistency of potatoes and can be boiled in the same way, added into stews or cooked in its skins and eaten as a roadside snack.
Mandazi
These sweet treats are like little Ugandan donuts. Deep fried dough with plenty of sugar in the batter- remember what I said about having a sweet tooth! You can buy these in packets but the best ones will be fresh, hot and home made.
Groundnuts
Peanuts by any other name but I swear they do have a slightly different flavour- perhaps a bit more earthy. Best when roasted and coated in salt. If you’re self-driving round Uganda these make the perfect driving snack and can also be purchased from street sellers.
Chapati
The humble chapati has already made an appearance on this list for its key role in the famed Rolex. But a good Ugandan chapatti on its own is a delightful experience. Again best when purchased hot from the road side. These were introduced by Indian settlers but are now an essential part of East African cuisine and slightly crispier than their original version. Have one by itself or add local honey or an avocado (they grow beautifully in Uganda and are delicious and prolific!)
Eggfruit
These are not actually native to Uganda and are known as eggfruit in the region around Bwindi but elsewhere are known as tamarillo. They have a bit of a sour but refreshing taste when fresh and make a particularly fantastic jam
Muchomo
This is the official name for meat stick! Meat sticks are sold by vendors in the bars come night fall and are a fantastic salty snack- the perfect accompaniment to an Eagle or a Nile! Alternatively purchase a goat or a sheep at the local market, grab some mates, build a fire and make your own. Again be wary of offal, but if you like liver this is a good way to have it.
Irish
The colloquial name for potato (as opposed to sweet potatoes) These are an essential part of Ugandan stews in particular and grow really well in the hilly regions around Bwindi. Not solely Ugandan but the name is worth knowing to understand the lingo.