National Theatre and Crafts Village

The Uganda National Cultural Centre, better known as the National Theatre, was created by an Act of Parliament in 1959 and officially inaugurated on 2 December that year. It stands at the corner of Siad Barre Avenue and De Winton Road in Kampala's Central Division and remains one of the main stages in the country for drama, music, dance and film, as well as a cinema. The Nommo Gallery, which hosts art exhibitions, is part of the same institution.

For many visitors the most enjoyable part is outside the auditorium. The official Visit Kampala listing highlights free outdoor events at the theatre: open-stage jam sessions, Afro-fusion music, underground hip-hop and comedy nights, where you can sit with a drink among a mostly local crowd and hear what Kampala's young musicians and comedians are doing. Inside, the programme covers theatre productions, concerts and traditional and contemporary dance, and the venue is also rented for conferences and corporate events, so check what is on before you go.

Next door, at Plot 4/6 De Winton Road, the National Arts and Crafts Village is run by the National Arts and Crafts Association of Uganda, founded in 2003. It buys from member producers and sells their work, so it is a sensible place in the centre to shop for Ugandan crafts and souvenirs made by local producers. It is worth comparing a few stalls before you buy.

The theatre and crafts village are easy to combine with a walk in the city centre and make a good stop at the end of an afternoon, browsing the crafts before an evening event. Evenings are the liveliest time; during the day the area is quieter and better for shopping. Bring cash for the craft stalls and for drinks at outdoor events, and check the theatre's notice boards for the week's events while you are there.

Because the programme changes often, follow the theatre's listings or ask your hotel what is on. Allow an hour for the crafts village and longer if you stay for a show. The theatre is central, so taxis and boda bodas are easy to find afterwards, and the hotels of Nakasero are a short ride uphill.