×
I recently joined a walking tour of the Chocolaye City, Kibera with Elijah, and it turned out to be one of the most humbling and eye-opening experiences of my entire trip. Along with his brother, Daniel, Elijah is building the Okolea Mtaa Foundation—an organization dedicated to giving children in Kibera a better future. Seeing their work firsthand was incredibly moving; it really made me reflect on how I can do more to help others. Throughout the tour, Elijah showed me different aspects of Kibera life and explained how people persevere through daily hardships, always striving to improve. From small businesses to communal efforts, every stop along the way taught me something new about resilience and the power of opportunity. Visiting the foundation's activities with kids was especially inspiring. You can clearly see that they are genuinely committed to helping the kids develop skills, confidence, and hope for what’s ahead. Elijah and Daniel were born and raised in Kibera, so they know every corner. Their insider perspective makes the tour incredibly informative—they’re able to share personal stories, point out details, and facilitate genuine conversations. We had really insightful discussions about local challenges, as well as the positive changes that are happening. If you want to experience the real heart of Kibera and learn about the initiatives driving change, I highly recommend touring with Elijah. Supporting their foundation is a chance to contribute to something truly meaningful for the community. I left with a deeper understanding of life in Kibera and a renewed sense of hope. Don’t miss it!
Coming from a Southeast Asian city, I found downtown Kampala to be intense, chaotic, and overwhelming in a way I’d never experienced before. But Twaha turned that potential anxiety into one of my best decisions during my visit. I was lucky enough to be his only guest that afternoon, so it felt like a private tour. We covered every spot Twaha proposed—plus my own request to try local food. We ended up having lunch at Owino Market, eating like locals among the crowd. It was truly one of my favorite moments in Uganda! Another highlight was diving deep into the bustle of Owino, the city’s biggest market. Twaha even encouraged me to walk in front, so I could feel a bit like a solo traveler while still having his guidance and security. The result? A crazy, intense, and unforgettable experience. Throughout the walk, Twaha was incredibly informative, sharing everything from modern-day Kampala life to the history dating back to Uganda’s kingdoms. Starting at the National Mosque’s minaret was perfect for a visual person like me—seeing the city from above while learning its background helped me piece everything together. He has been guiding visitors since 2016, so he’s definitely an expert—and yet he never seems to tire of explaining everything with genuine passion to each guest. He also communicated tipping guidelines right after my booking. And, honestly, it’s well worth it. Exploring the organized chaos of downtown Kampala is a must—and doing it with Twaha is something I’m proud of and will never regret. Highly recommended!