Top Kampala Places To Visit on a City Tour
Top Kampala Places To Visit on a City Tour
Top Kampala Places To Visit on a City Tour. 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. The experiences are many for tourists who take the time to explore it. Here are the top Kampala Places To Visit on a City Tour.
Uganda National Museum
Uganda Museum is the oldest museum in East Africa, which has existed since 1908. At first, it was in Lugard’s fort on old Kampala Hill. Later, the imperialists transferred it to Makerere University at the School of Industrial and Fine Arts. Lastly, the government transferred it 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. It has 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 on your Kampala city tour. This is 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 it was recognized by UNESCO in December 2001 as the World heritage site of local and international importance in the entire region of sub-Saharan Africa. This is because the Baganda purely built it with plant materials. Also, so far four (4) late 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 also other members of the Buganda royal family have been and are always buried here. Kasubi Tombs as the world heritage site comprises 26 hectares of land.
Being the burial grounds for the Kings of Buganda, Kasubi tombs remain vital in the region. It acts as a traditional architectural, spiritual, cultural, and political site for both local and international visitors,
Today, the Kasubi Tombs are 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.
Kasubi Tombs
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 and 13 of 22 were burnt to death. Meanwhile, others were killed in different ways. For example, other 2 martyrs were speared to death in Paimol, Gulu in Northern Uganda in October 1918.
The current building of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine started in 1967 at Namugongo. It ended after 8 years, on 3rd June 1975 and the shrine was officially opened by Papal envoy, His Eminence Sergio Cardinal Pignedoli.
It’s Significance
Due to history, Since then Uganda has received a lot of martyrs pilgrims on the 3rd of June yearly. Pilgrims celebrate Martyrs Day in Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and this has attracted many visitors over the years. This happens 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 always visit here, often fetch water from this miraculous lake. This is 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 3rd June 2019. They moved to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine using plane, bus, and foot outside of Kampala. So, Safari Vacations’ has eased this visit for everyone who would like to visit the Namugongo martyrs shrine. You can contact us and explore the history and the culture of Ugandans.
Kampala Central Mosque
Kampala Centrals Mosque formerly known as Gaddafi National Mosque is 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 over in 2006. It accommodates up to 15,000 worshipers and also can seat another 1,100 in the gallery. Meanwhile, 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’s reluctance to rehabilitate this Mosque. This mosque is one of the Top Tourism Places To Visit on a Kampala City Tour.
Significance of the Mosque
Today the Mosque acts as the head office of the Uganda Muslim community and supreme council. It is among the most popular places in Kampala that various tourists commonly visit. 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. The women’s and men’s sides are all nice-looking. However, the men’s side is bigger than the women’s side. Additionally, whenever you are here, it is worth revisiting.
Apart from the excitement 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 than 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.
Kampala Central Mosque/Gaddafi Mosque
Bahai Temple
This is the oldest and the first mother temple to be built in the African continent in 1958. 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. The Bahai people do not have specific days but they just decide the day when they should be meeting every week. In Uganda, they meet every Sunday of the week.
Bahai Temple
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 surroundings are some of the beautiful places one would wish to enjoy as it is covered with beautiful flowers and trees. 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 visit this place. They come to explore the beauty of this temple, especially the architectural design. they also visit it for its beautiful natural environment and the history behind the temple.
Independence Monument
The independence monument was constructed during the days when Uganda was celebrating its first independence on 9th October 1962 and it was funded by the British Colonial government. The monument is on Speke Road and Nile Avenue in Kampala city. It borders the fences of Sheraton Hotel gardens, overlooking the Grand Imperial Hotel. It is also opposite Standard Chartered Bank. This is one of the Top Tourism Places To Visit on a Kampala City Tour.
The monument shows a man unwrapping a child and raising it to the sky. This 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.
Kabaka’s Palace
The palace was constructed in 1885 by Ssekabaka Mwanga11. 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 where to build his palace. So, Mwanga 11 constructed his first palace at Masaja. However, after some time he thought of shifting his palace away from Masaja. He had always appreciated Emmengo which was also by then popular as Nkaawo hill. Members of the Nvubu clan stored their grinding stones here for herbal medicine. So the king decided to construct his palace at Nkaawo Hill (Emmengo). This is how the Baganda adopted the name Mengo.
Kabaka’s Palace Mengo
Today the palace became Mengo Palace and the hill became Mengo Hill. The king was very scared when the palace caught fire after the construction was completed. This fire destroyed the all important documents for the Kingdom. This scared the king and he escaped away to Nalukolongo where the Roman Catholic Missionaries hosted him. After some time, the king left the missionaries and went to live with Mukasa. He was the Katikiiro to his father Ssekabaka Muteesa II. When he was still staying at Mukasa`s place, lightning struck again. It destroyed everything at Mukasa`s home in 1886. He again ran away from Mukasa`s home and went to Munyonyo. From there, he constructed another palace at Mulungu Hill next to Lake Victoria.
Political turmoil
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 that they angrily attacked the palace. 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. It became a dangerous underground prison and torture chamber for Idi Amin in the 1970s. This underground torture chamber that Idi Amin built was a dark concrete tunnel with numerous dark damp cells. An electrified passage of water separated them to prevent the escape of prisoners. Also, you can see charcoal messages that former prisoners wrote on the walls. One reads ‘Obote, you have killed me, but what about my children?’. On the grounds are also the scrap metal remains of Mutesa’s Rolls Royce that Idi Amin destroyed. The palace is one of the Top Tourism Places To Visit on a Kampala City Tour.
Ndere Cultural Centre
Uganda which is popular 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 Centre was founded in 1986 to promote cultural activities in Uganda. These among others include performing arts, music, dance, storytelling, and poetry. Many have translated this 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’s Culture and tribes). However English and Kiswahili are the official languages that most people use.
The performance takes place every Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 pm. It also takes place on 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. You can also enjoy a variety of Ugandan food while watching the cultural performances.
Namirembe Cathedral
This is the oldest cathedral in Uganda on Namirembe Hill since March 1890. It is also famous as Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe. It serves as the provincial cathedral of the Church of Uganda and the diocesan cathedral for the 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. Currently, 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. Interestingly, the guide will take you through this interesting church and its Museum to see and learn the history of this church.
Kabaka’s Lake
This is the largest manmade lake in Uganda. It is between Ring Road and Nabunya Road in the Ndeeba Rubaga Division. The lake 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 distorted by religious war which broke out in Buganda Kingdom on 2nd August 1888.
The lake occupies an area of around 2 square kilometers. It is about 200 feet deep and the water level is constant throughout the year yet it has no water outlet which 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 about 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 Hil. The market is among the famous, biggest, and largest markets in Kampala city. It’s 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.
Nakasero Market
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 which is shown by an old building is a place that contains hardware, clothes, and other tourist items being sold.
These Top Tourism Places To Visit on a Kampala City Tour are just some of the things to see in Kampala City. Visit Uganda and explore a lot more in this vibrant city with Safari Vacations and Travel Services. Start by contacting us, we’ll tailor the best safari program for you.
