×

Uganda🇺🇬 | festivalsLaba! Street Art FestivalLive murals, graffiti routes, freestyle rap, spray-paint stalls | things to do and best time to go

Explore Amakula International Film FestivalExplore Rolex Festival

Backpacking in Laba! Street Art
👍 Recommendedfestival ranked #10
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

“Take the boda to the Ndere side, not the main road, madam,” the rider told me, grinning, and he was right: we skipped a jam and rolled up to a wall where a painter was still rolling out a mural in orange. Laba! Street Art Festival takes over Kampala, Uganda’s capital, with graffiti, live painting, hip-hop, dance and open-air sets, usually spread over a long weekend or a few days in different neighborhoods. Crowds are young, local and creative. Mistakes cost money here: cash for entry or drinks runs out fast, so carry small notes. Venues shift between editions, so check the latest map before ordering a boda. Agree the fare first, avoid night rides alone, and keep a phone charged. The best detail is the smell of spray paint mixed with roasted corn from the street.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Uganda Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Uganda is high. Check the advice before going.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #10 festival in UgandaReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Laba! Street Art Festival gives backpackers a way into Kampala that no hostel dorm can match. Walls become the meeting point, so you end up chatting with muralists, rappers and dancers while they work, and strangers pull you into cyphers and impromptu sets. That access is the main reason to build a route around it. Entry is modest compared with big European or South African street culture events, and much of the program happens outdoors in public spaces, so you spend little beyond food and rides. It also slots into an Uganda loop easily, since Kampala is the hub for trips to Jinja, Entebbe and the western parks. Come for the live mural painting, stay for the hip-hop and spoken word nights, and leave with local contacts for the next stop.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Laba! Street Art

  1. Live mural painting: Local and visiting artists cover blank walls over several days, so you can watch a piece go from sketch to finished color and talk to the painter on the spot.
  2. Graffiti walks: Guided or self-led routes through the festival neighborhoods show how Kampala’s street art scene uses walls to comment on city life.
  3. Hip-hop and rap sessions: Ugandan MCs, often rapping in Luganda and English, perform in open-air sets and freestyle circles where the audience joins in.
  4. Dance and breaking showcases: Street dancers and breakers mix with traditional-influenced moves, usually on makeshift stages and pavement.
  5. Street food and craft stalls: Rolex wraps, roasted maize and skewers sit beside stalls selling prints, tees and spray cans from local makers.
Plan on two to four days to catch the painting, the music and a few walks without rushing.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Laba! Street Art Festival

Jinja day tour exploring the source of River Nile

Jinja day tour exploring the source of River Nile

5.0(54) 9h 10m
From €122
per personViator
Private 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda

Private 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda

5.0(47) 72h
From €1,721
per personViator
8-Day Classic Uganda Primates & Wildlife Tour

8-Day Classic Uganda Primates & Wildlife Tour

5.0(47) 192h
From €4,880
per personViator
Unforgettable 3 days Murchison falls.

Unforgettable 3 days Murchison falls.

5.0(41) 72h
From €878
per personViator
14 Days Uganda Safari Adventure, Gorilla Trekking and WildlifeTour

14 Days Uganda Safari Adventure, Gorilla Trekking and WildlifeTour

5.0(38) 336h
From €6,131
per personViator
Private 2 days Murchison Falls and Wildlife Game Viewing

Private 2 days Murchison Falls and Wildlife Game Viewing

5.0(36) 48h
From €625
per personViator
Private Ugandan Food Cooking Class and Culture Experience

Private Ugandan Food Cooking Class and Culture Experience

5.0(34) 3h 30m
From €50
per personViator
2 Days Family Safari to Murchison Falls Park Uganda

2 Days Family Safari to Murchison Falls Park Uganda

5.0(34) 48h
From €1,902
per personViator
5 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari

5 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari

5.0(34) 120h
From €2,593
per personViator
3-Day Gorillas trekking and Batwa Experience

3-Day Gorillas trekking and Batwa Experience

5.0(30) 72h
From €1,449
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Laba! Street Art Festival?

Laba! Street Art Festival runs for about a week in Kampala, usually in late September or October, with street art, murals, music and performance spread across the Kamwokya and Kamwokya-Kisenyi area around the Ntinda Road and Kira Road corridors, so dates shift slightly each edition.
  • Best day: Go on the weekend, when the most performances, mural walks and crowds gather, or pick a weekday afternoon for quiet talks with artists.
  • Weather: Expect warm days of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F) with sudden showers, so pack a light rain jacket and sunscreen. Evenings cool to about 18°C (64°F).
  • Booking: Reserve a bed two to three weeks ahead. Prices rise modestly, roughly US$3 to 8 a night, if the weekend is busy.
  • Getting around: Traffic on Kira Road and Ntinda Road jams badly from 4 pm to 8 pm, so arrive by late
… read more 👉
Laba! Street Art Festival runs for about a week in Kampala, usually in late September or October, with street art, murals, music and performance spread across the Kamwokya and Kamwokya-Kisenyi area around the Ntinda Road and Kira Road corridors, so dates shift slightly each edition.
  • Best day: Go on the weekend, when the most performances, mural walks and crowds gather, or pick a weekday afternoon for quiet talks with artists.
  • Weather: Expect warm days of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F) with sudden showers, so pack a light rain jacket and sunscreen. Evenings cool to about 18°C (64°F).
  • Booking: Reserve a bed two to three weeks ahead. Prices rise modestly, roughly US$3 to 8 a night, if the weekend is busy.
  • Getting around: Traffic on Kira Road and Ntinda Road jams badly from 4 pm to 8 pm, so arrive by late morning and leave after the rush.
Check the festival's social media a week before for the final schedule and venue changes.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutUganda Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Uganda
The digital guide (372 pages) contains:
✅ 96 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Kamwokya, Ntinda and Kololo are the best bets, and Kamwokya is the one I would choose first because you can walk to much of the festival action.
Kamwokya is a lively, working-class neighborhood with street food, small bars and a strong artist community. It is safe enough by day and on busy festival evenings, but use a boda boda or Safeboda-style ride-hailing app after dark rather than walking late.
Kololo is calmer, greener and more upscale, with a short ride to the venues. It suits solo travelers who want quiet nights and secure surroundings, though beds cost more here, around US$12 to 25 in a … read more 👉
Kamwokya, Ntinda and Kololo are the best bets, and Kamwokya is the one I would choose first because you can walk to much of the festival action.
Kamwokya is a lively, working-class neighborhood with street food, small bars and a strong artist community. It is safe enough by day and on busy festival evenings, but use a boda boda or Safeboda-style ride-hailing app after dark rather than walking late.
Kololo is calmer, greener and more upscale, with a short ride to the venues. It suits solo travelers who want quiet nights and secure surroundings, though beds cost more here, around US$12 to 25 in a dorm or budget room.
Ntinda has guesthouses, cafes and shared taxis along the main road, and it is less touristy. Prices run about US$8 to 18.
Central Kampala has the biggest selection of backpacker beds and the most social atmosphere, but traffic eats time on the way to the festival, so allow 30 to 60 minutes.
Best hostels in Uganda


Best quality hotels in Uganda

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Laba! Street Art Festival costs most backpackers about US$32 to 58 per day, including a basic bed, meals and local rides.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 5Most street programming is free to view, and some indoor performances or workshops charge a small entry fee.
AccommodationUS$8 to 20 (high season US$12 to 25)Dorms and budget guesthouses in Kamwokya, Ntinda and central Kampala fill up on festival weekends.
Local transportUS$3 to 8Boda bodas and ride-hailing apps cost about US$1 to 3 per short trip, while minibus taxis are cheaper but confusing.
Food & drinksUS$6 to 12Rolex, skewers and local plates are cheap, while a beer costs around US$1.50 to 3.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 8Art prints, small tips for performers, SIM data and bottled water add up.
Total Daily BudgetUS$32
… read more 👉
Laba! Street Art Festival costs most backpackers about US$32 to 58 per day, including a basic bed, meals and local rides.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 5Most street programming is free to view, and some indoor performances or workshops charge a small entry fee.
AccommodationUS$8 to 20 (high season US$12 to 25)Dorms and budget guesthouses in Kamwokya, Ntinda and central Kampala fill up on festival weekends.
Local transportUS$3 to 8Boda bodas and ride-hailing apps cost about US$1 to 3 per short trip, while minibus taxis are cheaper but confusing.
Food & drinksUS$6 to 12Rolex, skewers and local plates are cheap, while a beer costs around US$1.50 to 3.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 8Art prints, small tips for performers, SIM data and bottled water add up.
Total Daily BudgetUS$32 to 58About US$43 for a typical day with a mid-range dorm bed.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Laba! Street Art Festival feeds you with Ugandan street food served from stalls around the murals and performance spaces. Look for rolex, a chapati rolled around a fried egg and vegetables, usually about US$0.50 to 1, and grilled meat skewers (muchomo) of beef, goat or chicken, sold hot off charcoal.
Plates of matoke (steamed green bananas) with groundnut sauce or beans appear at local food vendors nearby for around US$2 to 4. For drinks, try a cold Nile Special or Club lager, fresh passion fruit or sugarcane juice, and strong Ugandan coffee.
Carry small cash in shillings, because most stalls do not take cards and mobile money is the common alternative. Lines move quickly, portions are generous, and sharing a skewer plate with new friends is normal. Ask for vendors' prices before ordering when … read more 👉
Laba! Street Art Festival feeds you with Ugandan street food served from stalls around the murals and performance spaces. Look for rolex, a chapati rolled around a fried egg and vegetables, usually about US$0.50 to 1, and grilled meat skewers (muchomo) of beef, goat or chicken, sold hot off charcoal.
Plates of matoke (steamed green bananas) with groundnut sauce or beans appear at local food vendors nearby for around US$2 to 4. For drinks, try a cold Nile Special or Club lager, fresh passion fruit or sugarcane juice, and strong Ugandan coffee.
Carry small cash in shillings, because most stalls do not take cards and mobile money is the common alternative. Lines move quickly, portions are generous, and sharing a skewer plate with new friends is normal. Ask for vendors' prices before ordering when no price is shown, and keep a bottle of water with you in the afternoon heat.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Laba! Street Art

Laba! Street Art Festival takes place in Kampala, usually in late September or October, and runs for about a week. Events are concentrated in the Kamwokya area, with exhibitions, mural walks, live music and performances. Exact dates change each year, so confirm the schedule on the festival's social pages a week or two before arriving.
Attending Laba! Street Art Festival is mostly cheap, since much of the street art and outdoor programming is free. Some workshops or indoor shows charge about US$0 to 5. Plan about US$30 to 55 a day in total, including a dorm bed at US$8 to 20, food at US$6 to 12 and boda boda rides at about US$1 to 3 each.
Most of Laba! Street Art Festival can be enjoyed without advance tickets, because murals, street performances and public events are free to watch. Specific workshops, concerts or special events may require a small ticket, usually under US$5, often sold at the venue or through the organizers. Book your bed earlier than anything else, ideally two to three weeks ahead, since Kamwokya and Ntinda accommodation fills on festival weekends.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ugandan festivals near Laba! Street Art

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Uganda including Laba! Street Art and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Uganda has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Uganda
Country photo of Uganda
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Laba! Street Art Festival is easy to treat as just a party, but the painting happens in daylight and the best conversations with artists come then. I would arrive early each day, bring a power bank, and keep your evenings loose. Plans do shift here, and that is half the fun.

✈️ When did I visit Uganda?
In September 2019 I have done a backpacking trip through Uganda. Seeing gorillas in the wild from up close was a pure unexpected highlight!

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Uganda, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story