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Author
Merit Ronald

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Ugandan cuisine is diverse and rich, with a wide range of traditional dishes and snacks that reflect the country's cultural and historical influences. In this blog post, we'll be exploring ten of the most popular Ugandan snacks that you need to try right now. These snacks are delicious, easy to find, and offer a unique taste of Uganda's culinary heritage. So let's dive in!

1. Rolex

Rolex is a popular Ugandan snack that is essentially a rolled-up omelet filled with chopped vegetables and sometimes meat. This snack is a favorite among locals and tourists alike and is often sold by street vendors. The name "Rolex" is a play on words, combining "rolled eggs" with the name of the popular Swiss watch brand. Rolex is a tasty and filling snack that you can enjoy on the go.

To make a Rolex, a chef beats eggs and adds chopped onions, tomatoes, and green peppers. The mixture is poured onto a hot skillet and cooked until set. The omelet is then rolled up with a chapati, a type of Indian flatbread, and sliced into bite-sized pieces.

Rolex is a versatile snack that can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Some chefs add cheese or ham to the omelet for extra flavor, while others use different types of vegetables. No matter how you choose to enjoy your Rolex, this snack is sure to satisfy your hunger.

2. Mandazi

Mandazi is a type of fried bread that is popular in East African countries, including Uganda. This snack is similar to a doughnut but is less sweet and has a denser texture. Mandazi is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack with tea or coffee.

To make mandazi, a chef mixes flour, sugar, yeast, and coconut milk to form a dough. The dough is then rolled out and cut into small triangles or squares. The pieces of dough are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. Mandazi can be served plain or sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon.

Mandazi is a delicious snack that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. It's also a great option for vegetarians since it doesn't contain any meat or animalp>

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3. Samosas

Samosas are a type of fried or baked pastry that is popular in many parts of the world, including Uganda. This snack consists of a crispy shell filled with spiced vegetables or meat. Samosas are often eaten as a snack or appetizer and are a popular street food in Uganda.

To make samosas, a chef prepares a filling of spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes ground beef or chicken. The filling is then wrapped in a thin pastry shell and deep-fried or baked until golden brown. Samosas can be served hot or cold and are often accompanied by a dipping sauce, such as tamarind or mint chutney.

Samosas are a flavorful and satisfying snack that is perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying on your own. They're also a great option for vegetarians since they can be filled with a variety of vegetables.

4. Kachumbali

Kachumbali is a fresh and tangy salad that is popular in many East African countries, including Uganda. This salad is made with chopped tomatoes, onions, and sometimes cucumber and avocado. Kachumbari is often served as a side dish or topping for grilled meats or vegetables.

To make kachumbali, a chef combines chopped tomatoes, onions, and sometimes cucumber and avocado. The salad is then dressed with lemon or lime juice and salt. Some chefs also add chopped cilantro or parsley for extra flavor.

Kachumbali is a refreshing and healthy snack that is perfect for hot days. It's also a great option for vegans and vegetarians since it's free from animal products.

RELATED: 10 Traditional Ugandan Dishes You Have to Try

5. Gonja

Gonja is a type of fried plantain that is popular in Uganda and many other African countries. This snack is made from ripe plantains that are sliced and fried until golden brown and crispy. Gonja is often served as a side dish or snack and can be eaten on its own or dipped in sauce.

To make gonja, a chef peels and slices ripe plantains into thin rounds. The plantain slices are then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Some chefs sprinkle the gonja with salt or spices such as cumin or chili powder for extra flavor.

Gonja is a tasty and satisfying snack that is perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying on your own. It's also a great option for vegans and vegetarians since it's free from animal products.

6. Chapati

Chapati is a type of Indian flatbread that is popular in Uganda and many other East African countries. This bread is made from flour, water, salt, and oil and is cooked on a hot griddle until puffy and golden brown. Chapati is often served as a side dish or used as a wrap for filling such as meat or vegetables.

To make chapati, a chef combines flour, water, salt, and oil to form a dough. The dough is then rolled out into thin rounds and cooked on a hot griddle until puffy and golden brown. Chapati can be served hot or cold and is often used as a substitute for bread in sandwiches or wraps.

Chapati is a versatile and delicious snack that is perfect for filling up on the go. You can enjoy this bread with a variety of fillings, such as curry or grilled vegetables. It's also a great option for vegans and vegetarians since it's free from animal products.

7. Roasted Maize

Roasted maize is a popular snack in Uganda that consists of grilled or roasted corn on the cob. This snack is often sold by street vendors and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Roasted maize is typically seasoned with salt, chili powder, or other spices for extra flavor.

To make roasted maize, a chef grills or roasts ears of corn on the cob until the kernels are tender and slightly charred. The corn is then seasoned with salt, chili powder, or other spices to taste.

Roasted maize is a simple and flavorful snack that is perfect for enjoying on a sunny day. It's also a great option for vegans and vegetarians since it's free from animal products.

8. Rolex Wrap-Up (UgaRoll)

Rolex, also known as Ugandan Roll or Uga Roll, is a popular street food in Uganda made from a combination of eggs, onions, tomatoes, meat, chicken and cabbage rolled up in a chapati - a type of flatbread. The name "Rolex" is derived from the phrase "rolled eggs" and has become a beloved staple of Ugandan cuisine. This tasty and filling snack can be enjoyed on the go, and is often sold by street vendors and in local markets. The combination of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors make the Rolex a must-try dish for anyone visiting Uganda.

9. Pancake (Kabalagala)

Pancake commonly known as “Kabalagala” is a sweet roadside snack also popularly known as pancakes. However, it’s important to note that they are nothing like the English pancakes. Kabalagala is a mixture of the small sweet bananas (locally known as ndizi) and cassava flour. When mixed together, the dough is rolled into the desired shape then deep-fried

10. Roasted groundnuts (peanuts)

Roasted groundnuts are a much loved delicacy among many Ugandans most especially the men. They are rich is protein and can be taken at during breakfast, evening tea and any time of the day.

11. Friend Cassava

This is one of the most loved snacks in Uganda most especially among the school going community. Friend cassava is cheap and delicious and only takes a few friend cassava sticks to reach satisfaction.

12. Nsenene

Nsenene is a popular dish of fried grasshoppers that are often sold in pubs and roadside eateries. You can only get this popular snack during the rainy season, particularly in November. Before being fried in the grasshoppers’ natural oils, the insects’ wings and legs are removed.

13. Plain chips

Plain chips are very much enjoyed by campus students and you can mix them with ketch up to make a delicious snack.

14. Muchomo

Street meat can mean a wide range of meats in Uganda from goat to beef to lamb but never pork. You can however find pork ‘muchomo’ in specific bars or restaurants.

15. Sim-sim balls

Sim-sim balls are a popular sweet roadside snack that’s made with sim sim and melted sugar. First, the sim sim is roasted, then the sugar is melted and poured over the sim sim, mixed together and then rolled into balls and left to cool.

16. Mugaati n’amaggi (bread and eggs)

Originally an Arab dish, it consists of wheat dough spread into a thin pancake, filled with minced meat and raw egg, and then folded into a neat parcel, which is fried on a skillet or hotplate.

Ugandan cuisine is full of delicious and unique snacks that offer a taste of the country's cultural and historical influences. From the savory groundnut sauce to the sweet mandazi, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat-lover, these ten Ugandan snacks are sure to satisfy your hunger and curiosity. So why not try them all and discover the flavors of Uganda for yourself?

We hope you enjoyed this blog post on ten Ugandan snacks you need to try right now. If you have any other favorite Ugandan snacks that we missed, let us know in the comments below. Happy snacking!