Best Travel Guide To Kampala Capital City, Uganda.

Best Travel Guide To Kampala Capital City, Uganda.

Kampala City, Uganda’s Capital City is such a fascinating place to visit. Teeming with rich culture and friendly people, this city offers a wide range of experiences to tourists who take the time to explore it.

Established on rolling hills some 10km off northern Lake Victoria shores, Kampala is a conventional African city. More verdant than many of its regional counterparts, not relatively so crowded or chaotic as others —but practically the familiar contrast of a bustling compact high-rise city center rising from a leafy suburban sprawl, increasingly organic as one reaches its rustic edge.

It has a contrasting atmosphere of modern urban bustle and time-warped tropical languor. Kampala is linked to Entebbe’s international airport by a smooth-surfaced highway passing through a lush cover of broad-leaved plantains that make for a fascinating introduction to Uganda.

Coming by air, you’ll reach Kampala through Entebbe International Airport, 33 kilometers from the city, and drive over a newly surfaced expressway connecting the airport to the city and other parts of the country. Kampala lies at the international and domestic long-haul bus network hub, making it an attractive base for independent travelers seeking a taste of urban Africa.

Why Visit Kampala City?

Kampala is the pulsating heart of Uganda’s economic, social, cultural, and intellectual life. It is also the country’s largest urban center, with a population of over 4 million people. Like Rome, Uganda’s Capital was initially built across 7 hills, but today, it sits on about two dozen hills.

Kampala is a dynamic and engaging city centered on Uganda’s cultural and political intrigue, commercial activity, and intellectual excellence. It’s a forward-looking Capital transforming into a thriving, modern place befitting the capital of the “Pearl of Africa.”

Kampala is the most populous city in Uganda, offering a glimpse into Africa and the world through its ethnic diversity, including Uganda’s varied tribes, Africans, Europeans, Americans, and Asians. The city’s collection of cultures gives way to plenty of different types of cuisines to try and neighborhood gems to discover. The Capital City has some excellent international restaurants, including some of the best Indian eateries on the African continent. And although English is the official language spoken here, the streets are murmuring with hundreds of dialects.

About Kampala City:

Kampala derives its name from the local Luganda language saying ‘Akosozi K'empala,‘ meaning ‘Hill of Antelope.’ This a reference to the domestic impala (impala) antelope, which grazed the lawns of Mengo during Buganda’s King Mutesa’s reign in the 1880s.

 Historically, Kampala Hill and the surrounding hills had lain at the Buganda Kingdom’s political center for several decades before the arrival of the first Europeans. Capt Fredrick Lugard arrived in 1890 and set up camp on Kampala Hill, so he is generally considered the founder.

Its glut of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, cinemas, and other modern facilities makes it a popular place for all travelers to hang out for a few days, including safari overlanders, backpackers, and business experts. Its attractions perhaps are less compelling to fly-in tourists with more travel time restrictions.

Kampala City Tourist Attractions:

Here are the top tourist places to visit on a Kampala City Tour;

Uganda National Museum:

Uganda Museum is the oldest museum in East Africa, which was started in 1908. It was first located in Lugard’s fort on old Kampala Hill then transferred to Makerere University at the School of Industrial and Fine Arts and lastly to Kitante Hill where it stands today. It emerged when Governor George Wilson called for “all articles of interest in Uganda”. The museum is a collection of traditional culture and Ugandan Music with all kinds of musical instruments, archaeology, history, science, and natural history.

The Museum is one of the top and best places today you can visit in your Kampala city tour because it gives you the real picture of Uganda and its people.

Kasubi Tombs:

This is the burial ground for the Kings of Buganda (Kabakas of Buganda) and UNESCO recognized it in December 2001 as the World heritage site of local and international importance in the entire region of sub-Saharan Africa. This is because purely plant materials built it and so far four (4) kings of Buganda have been buried at this site in the house called Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, it was constructed in a circular shape in 1882 and other members of the Buganda royal family have been and are always buried here. Kasubi tombs as a world heritage site comprise 26 hectares of land and traditional techniques by the royal family members use it for agricultural purposes.

It is the burial grounds for the Kings of Buganda Kasubi tombs remains as a vital traditional architectural, spiritual, cultural, and political site for both local and international visitor

Today, Kasubi Tomb is one of the interesting and top places to visit while on your Kampala city tour; you will explore the history and culture of the kings of Buganda Kingdom.

Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo:

Between 1885 and 1887, 32 young men were killed to death for their refusal to renounce Christianity, 22 were killed as authorized by King Mwanga of Buganda, 13 of 22 were burnt to death, others were killed in different ways and also other 2 martyrs were speared to death in Paimol, Gulu in the Northern part of Uganda in October 1918.

The current building of Uganda Martyrs Shrine was started in 1967 at Namugongo and it was finished after 8 years, on 3^rd June 1975 the shrine was officially opened by Papal envoy, His Eminence Sergio Cardinal Pignedoli.

Due to the history Since then, Uganda has received a lot of martyrs pilgrims on the 3^rd June of every year to celebrate Martyrs Day in Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and this has attracted many visitors over the years not only during the Martyrs Day celebration but even on other days.

The unique lake in the gardens of Namugongo shrine is so beautiful and anyone on his / her tour to Uganda would not want to miss a visit to this place. The visitors, who visit here, often fetch water from this miraculous lake because it is said to have blessings to the extent that some people come to give testimony that the water of the lake can heal various diseases.

Organizers say that over 5,000 foreigners attended the Martyr’s Day celebration on 3^rd June 2019. They moved to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine using plane, bus, and foot outside of Kampala, so the Uganda Safari company has eased this visit for everyone who would like to visit Namugongo Martyrs shrine at any time to explore the history and the culture of Ugandans.

Kampala Central Mosque (Gaddafi Mosque):

Kampala Centrals Mosque formerly known as Gaddafi National Mosque is located on the old Kampala hill in central Kampala city, Uganda. It was a gift to the Muslim community in Uganda by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. The construction of the mosque was completed in 2006 and it accommodates up to 15,000 worshipers and also can seat another 1,100 in the gallery, while the terrace caters for another 3,500.

It was officially opened in June 2007 after the construction was completed and it was named Gaddafi National Mosque since then until 2013 when it was renamed as Uganda National Mosque following the death of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. This was a result of the new administration of Libya was reluctance to rehabilitate this Mosque.

Today the Mosque acts as the head office of Uganda's Muslim community and supreme council and it is among the most visited places in Kampala by various tourists. Do not miss visiting the Uganda National Mosque, your tour will start right away from the outside while seeing the nice structure of this Mosque, the inside is so good and comfortable with soft and nice looking carpets, and women's and men's sides are all nice looking however the men side is bigger than the women side and whenever you are here it is worthy to revisit again.

Apart from being excited about the outside and inside part of this mosque, you still have another wonderful experience rather than climbing the Minaret, which is composed of 272 steps, more of a skyscraper and it will take you almost 15 minutes to climb it. The minaret gives you a chance to see the whole of Kampala not excluding the seven hills of Kampala, roads, Kabaka’s Lake, and various tall and short buildings if you have not seen your favorite place, please tell your guide will point it out for you while on the top of the Minaret.

Bahai Temple:

This is the oldest and the first mother temple to be built in the African continent in 1958 and it was the tallest building in East Africa when it was completed in 1961. The Bahai faith started to increase in 1951, 500 Bahai in 80 localities joined, including 13 Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assemblies, and this number of people was represented by 30 tribes in Uganda.

Unlike other religions in the world, they have specific days in the week for gathering but the Bahai people do not have specific days they just decide the day when they should be meeting every week, and in Uganda, they meet every Sunday of the week.

They have at least three prayer sessions every day, as it is written in their holy book of prayer, “the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”.  Also, the grounds and the surrounding is one of the beautiful places one would wish to enjoy as it is covered with beautiful flowers and trees and this has attracted very many indigenous species of birds and it is worth visiting.

 Many people from Uganda and many other countries in the world explore the beauty of this temple especially the architectural design, beautiful natural environment, and the history behind the temple visit the temple.

The Independence Monument:

The independence monument was constructed during the days when Uganda was celebrating its first independence on 9^th October 1962 and it was funded by the British Colonial government. The monument is located on Speke Road and Nile Avenue in Kampala city bordering the fences of Sheraton Hotel gardens, overlooking Grand Imperial Hotel on the right and opposite Standard Chartered bank.

The monument shows a man unwrapping a child and raising it to the sky which narrates that Uganda as a country is now free from the oppression of colonialism.

With the beauty of this monument and around this place, you will require a camera to take memorable pictures. Please never forget to tell your driver guide to take you to this top and most accessible attraction within Kampala city.

Ndere Cultural Center:

Uganda, which is known as the pearl of Africa, is the country with the most cultural diversity in the world as noted by the current UN report in 2019. Ndere Cultural Center was founded in 1986 to promote cultural activities in Uganda which include performing arts, music, dance, storytelling, and poetry, which has been translated into happiness and love during this wonderful performance.

Today Ndere Centre with its troupes represents over 60 groups of people and over 30 indigenous languages (a summary of Uganda Culture and tribes) however English and Kiswahili are the official languages being used by most people.

The performance takes place every Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 pm as well as on a Sunday at 6:00 pm ready to enjoy and watch the music and dance of the Ugandan tribes with Ndere troupes performing at Ndere center.

Namirembe Cathedral:

This is the oldest cathedral in Uganda located in Namirembe Hill since March 1890. It is also known as Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, which serves as the provincial cathedral of the Church of Uganda and the diocesan cathedral for Namirembe Diocese. The church of Uganda was moved to Nakasero in All Saints Church and taken back again to Namirembe Hill where it is located today.

The church of Uganda has been built several times and the fifth structure which accommodates over 10, 000 people stands today at Namirembe Hill. This has been a result of various circumstances like the Swampy area, Strong winds, termites, and fire hence it being constructed five times.

It is open to all kinds of visitors while on your Uganda Safari and the guide will take you through this interesting church and its Museum to see and learn the history of this church.

Kabaka’s Palace:

Ssekabaka Mwanga11 constructed the palace in 1885. This was when he took over the dominion in 1884 at the age of 18 years old.  It is a rule in the Buganda Kingdom for the new king to choose a hill to build his palace, so Mwanga 11 constructed his first palace at Masaja and after some time he thought of shifting his palace away from Masaja.  

He had always appreciated Emmengo, which was also by then called Nkaawo hill where members of the Nvubu clan stored their grinding stones for herbal medicine. So the king decided to construct his palace at Nkaawo Hill (Emmengo) and the name Mengo was adopted. Today the palace became Mengo Palace and the hill became Mengo Hill.

The king was scared when the palace caught fire after the construction was completed and this fire destroyed the all important documents for the Kingdom, it scared the king and he escaped to Nalukolongo where he was hosted by Roman Catholic Missionaries. After some time, the king left the missionaries and went to live with Mukasa who was the Katikiiro to his father Ssekabaka Muteesa II.

When he was still staying at Mukasa`s place, lightning struck and destroyed everything at Mukasa`s home in 1886. He again ran away from Mukasa`s home and went to Munyonyo where he constructed another palace at Mulungu hill next to Lake Victoria.

The Prime Minister of Uganda (Milton Obote) ordered a strong attack to remove Kabaka Mutesa 11 in 1966. It was by the commands of Idi Amin's forces, they attacked the palace and after many times of attacks and fighting, the King was forced to flee and live in exile in the United Kingdom.

The palace was completely turned into army barracks and it became a dangerous underground prison and torture chamber for Idi Amin in the 1970s. This underground torture chamber built by Idi Amin was a dark concrete tunnel with numerous dark, damp cells which were separated by an electrified passage of water to prevent the escape of prisoners, also you can see charcoal messages written by former prisoners on the walls: one reads ‘Obote, you have killed me, but what about my children and on the grounds are also the scrap metal remains of Mutesa’s Rolls Royce destroyed by Idi Amin.

Buganda Road Art and Crafts Market:

Buganda Road Craft Village, located along Buganda Road is one of the best places to visit in Kampala. It’s the craft market that displays a wide selection of cultural items that define Uganda. It’s one of the best places to buy African textiles (kitenge), sculptures, paintings, sandals, drums, wooden animals, dresses, mats, bags, bracelets, musical instruments, bark cloth, weapons like spears, cards like Christmas cards made of local items like banana leaves, souvenirs and many more.

You can visit this craft market to buy gift items to carry along with you back home and keep a memory of Ugandan culture and your tour. All these items are handmade and purchasing some of them impacts a lot on the lives of the locals.

Kampala City Center:

Kampala’s most obvious reference point is the modern mufti-storied city center on Nakasero Hill. More discreet but no less identifiable landmarks on neighboring summits surround it.

Kampala’s modern city center sprawls across a valley about 2.5km east of Kabaka Mwanga’s former capital on Kasubi Hill, immediately east of Lugard’s original fort on Old Kampala Hill — boasts little in the way of compelling sightseeing.

The most important cluster of architecture worth your attention is around the acacia-lined Parliament Avenue on the city center’s east side. On the same block lies the so-called White House, occupied by the Kampala City Council. Immediately to its east, on De Winton Road, stands the National Theatre and attached African Crafts Village.

 Kabaka’s Lake:

This is the largest manmade lake in Uganda located between Ring Road and Nabunya Road in Ndeeba Rubaga Division; It is 5 km away from the Kampala City center. It was constructed between 1885 and 1888 by fifty-two (52) clans of the Buganda Kingdom during the regime of Ssekabaka Mwanga 11.

The Kabaka (King) had planned to construct a wide channel so that he could cruise by boat to reach Lake Victoria for swimming, and fishing purposes and also to enable him to stay at his palace which he had constructed at Mulungu Hill in Munyonyo next to Lake Victoria, it was also to serve as an escape route in the event of armed conflict with the British. Unfortunately, all of his plans were veins distorted by religious war, which broke out in Buganda Kingdom on 2^nd August 1888.

 The lake occupies an area of around 2 square kilometers and is about 200 feet deep the water level is constant throughout the year yet it has no water outlet that supplies it with water but only the underground springs since 1885, the environment surrounding this manmade lake is so beautiful with tall trees and green grasses and the two islands make it more beautiful, walking on shores is an experience and you will also see local people and learn about their behaviors and culture to this lake, it is also home of various bird species like Great White Egrets, Hadada Ibis, Black Headed Weaver, Open-billed Stork, and African Darter among other bird species.

Nakasero Market:

It is located in the heart of Kampala at the foot of Nakasero Hill, it is among the famous, biggest, and largest markets in Kampala city just 50 meters away from Entebbe Road. It was set up in 1895 when the King of Buganda was advised to set up the first market in the palace. Later after 10 years, the market was moved to Kagugube which is currently between Sir Apollo Kagwa Road and Gaddafi Road and lastly, it was moved to its current location Nakasero Hill when the temporary structure of the market was built by then.

The market was divided into two areas; the first area is the open part, which is temporarily covered, and this is the area where people buy fresh produce. The closed area that is shown by an old building is a place, that contains hardware, clothes, and other tourism items being sold.

The Shri Sanatan Dharma Mandal Hindu Temple:

Located very centrally in downtown you will find another worship place worth going to when visiting Kampala. The Shri Sanatan Dharma Mandal Hindu Temple is open for visitors and free of charge. The interior is an impressive sight. It is allowed to take photos inside, but you will be asked for a small donation.

Owino Market:

Owino Market is next level and one of the best places to visit in Kampala. This chaotic multipurpose market is located in downtown Kampala. Owino Market is one of the largest markets in Uganda and receives over 20,000 people daily. It is famous for its beautiful African print fabrics, second-hand clothes, shoes, bags, food, electronics, vegetables, herbs, medicines, and anything else you can think of.

The government changed this market’s name to St. Balikuddembe Market in memory of one of the country’s martyrs who was killed in the area on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga in the 1880s. However, the name Owino is still stuck in everyone’s mind.

You can also buy souvenirs at local prices here. Be ready to bargain, However, it is a much cheaper place to get some cool stuff from Uganda and even Owino market shopping is quite fun here. There is just so much to see, endless impressions.

Rubaga Cathedral:

The Catholic St Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, commonly known as Rubaga Cathedral, lies 500m south of Albert Cook Road along Mutesa Road but is neither as old nor as impressive as its Church of Uganda equivalent, Namirembe Hill.

Makerere Hill:

Northeast of Namirembe is Makerere Hill, commonly known for housing the country’s oldest University. The white bell tower of Makerere University used to be visible on the green ridge of Makerere Hill until accidental fires gutted it in September 2020.

For more than three decades ago, the academic community regarded Makerere University Makerere as East Africa’s intellectual heart, which it has embarrassingly lost to obscurity.

However, the University’s campus architecture is still worth checking out, especially the student residence halls, library buildings, and good old walking streets with smiley young faces.

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