Karibu -welcome
Kampala is the commercial and national capital of uganda, at the margins of the biggest lake in africa; lake victoria is a rich area to explore as you enjoy both history and day-to-day life. it’s famous for its major 7 hills that are rich in history such as mengo, makerere, old kampala, rubaga, kibuli, namirembe, kasubi, and nsyambya; however, it has spread to fourteen more. also known as the capital of entertainment both day and night, monday to sunday traffic and music playing from both sides of the capital, motorcycles, finding the easiest means to avoid the traffic, all this buys your attention.
Principle Areas of Interest Around Kampala Town, A must visit (Landmarks, Monuments, and Buildings)
Baha’i temple
Introduced in 1951 to the pearl of africa and the worship building completed in 1961, the faith is open to all people. this beautiful mashriqu’i-adhkar sits on 21.5 acres of land a place to hold your breath, read a novel, and enjoy the beautiful birds. beautified by the flowers and greener trees and the calmness, it’s a place to visit. the faith is believed to have started in 1844 may 23 by a young man called bab who claimed himself as god’s messenger and had holy offices in israel.
MENGO PALACE
Mengo palace was built in 1922, the former home of Buganda’s king, the palace has stayed empty after Prime Minister Obote ordered a dramatic attack on the road land where the Kabaka Mutesa II stayed in 1966, led by the forces of Idi Amin Dada, the president was stormed and the president was forced out into exile. The Torture chamber or the notorious prison is still for tours though the king’s palace interior is out of reach. Famous for the 1900 Buganda agreement signed between the British colonialists and Buganda’s kabaka (king).
RUBAGA CATHEDRAL
Rubaga cathedral/st mary’s cathedral is a parent of the roman catholic archdiocese of kampala, which is the oldest roman catholic diocese in the country.
The famous holy land was given to the white fathers in 1889 seeking where to establish a church, the kabaka by then mwanga ii allowed these god shepherds to have a decent settlement and preached their gospel at peace.
GADAFI MOSQUE
Sits on the old kampala hill once captain frederick lugard’s camp, the mosque holds the biggest hall in sub-saharan africa, central and east africa. hosts 15000 worshipers, 1100 people in the gallery, and 3500 people on the terrace. it’s a 360 degrees viewpoint of kampala city, it brings the remembrance of the country’s colonial rule and the fact that sits on the old kampala hill. the mosque is the official magistrate of the uganda muslim council and is known to many as the gaddafi mosque due to the monetary assistance given by the late libyan president gaddafi
Namirembe cathedral
Also known as saint paul’s cathedral is the oldest in uganda. founded in 1890 and serving as the provincial cathedral of the church of uganda and the diocesan cathedral for namirembe, it’s a great place for christians and has a great history
Hindu temple
A very calm and peaceful time around the city, the hindu temple is open to all visitors during the day with a requirement of silence, removing shoes, and camera shutter sound for those enjoying photography. you will be able to see various hindu gods and watch their faithful feed and dress them.
Kasubi tombs
A great and ancient historic place within kampala sitting of kasubi hill where the decade’s kings of buganda are buried. this makes the site an active religious place in the kingdom of buganda. to the people of the buganda kingdom, the king/ kabaka is the unquestionable symbol of the spiritual, political, and social state of the kingdom.
The kabaka/king’s monument
Centered in the middle of the kingdom’s government headquarters and king’s palace, is this gigantic monument. the stretch between these two areas is known as the royal mile or the king’s way. with 11 meters above the ground and a diameter of 12.8 meters, the structure holds a spear and drum representing the emblem of the kingdom that is always seen on the buganda flag.
Independence Monument
Centered in the middle of the kingdom’s government headquarters and king’s palace, is this gigantic monument. the stretch between these two areas is known as the royal mile or the king’s way. with 11 meters above the ground and a diameter of 12.8 meters, the structure holds a spear and drum representing the emblem of the kingdom that is always seen on the buganda flag.
The Uganda Museum
Founded in 1908 after george wilson the governor called for “ all uganda’s articles of interest to be procured. the museum exhibits and displays natural-historical, traditional life collections of uganda’s cultural heritage and ethnology. uganda’s history is fluently told through collections of the early man, there are more areas like fort lugard, makerere university, and kissinger house in mengo that speak volumes.
Kampala by night
There are places in the city that stir to life all night long, and patrons tap their feet on jazz, country music, or reggae as they sip every type of spirit, beer, and wine as the street food scents hang in the air.
This is a replica in kabalagala, casinos, acacia mall, bugolobi, acacia avenue, centenary park and the garden city. nightlife is relatively safe because each bar and club has bouncers and more so ugandans are hospitable and friendly, a body search starts when entering most night spots.
Pubs and bars-clubs
Casablanca pub & restaurant
19 john bahiha (acacia) ave
Otters bar
Kings african rifles, kololo-opens 12 pm
Sideline bar
In luggage stadium
Dine-in/takeaway/delivery
Equator lounge
Sheraton hotel, kampala
Guvnor club
2nd street industrial area.
Casinos we have, kampala casino, kings casino, casino simba, mayfair casino, and many others.
Culture & arts
Kampala city is a melting pot of cultures embracing ugandan and foreign ways of life. a casual walk around and about treats a visitor to the collection at the national theatre, and craft shops, and uganda museum. have a good time while in kampala in areas like,
Ndere troupe– is a one-stop point where one can be treated across-section of traditional dances, cuisines, folklore, and wines, enjoy the weird dance strokes as the stars and the moon are seen shying away
Theatre la bonita-just in the heart of kampala city, home of the ebonies theatre group. it’s a cool place for live music shows and stand-up comedy.
National theatre- on mondays, it’s when the artist entertains themselves with karaoke and drama skits. it’s a place the old songs are played and easily kicked and triggering feet tapping
Getting about
The city can easily be accessed by buses, taxis, boda bodas, and by air using the kajjansi airstrip and entebbe international airport.
Several buses connect to different areas and neighboring countries, that’s kenya and rwanda, and some to tanzania and burundi. there are also commuter vans-taxis or matatus that link you to the neighboring city suburbs, these go while stopping and always delay you when you are in a rush. boda bodas- motorcycles are the easiest and cheapest depending on where you are going, these require to board one who owns a passenger helmet to safeguard yourself, and you must be able to bargain before travel, using applications like safe boda, bold and uber are also available around town which might ease your movements.
Getting about
The city can easily be accessed by buses, taxis, boda bodas, and by air using the kajjansi airstrip and entebbe international airport.
Several buses connect to different areas and neighboring countries, that’s kenya and rwanda, and some to tanzania and burundi. there are also commuter vans-taxis or matatus that link you to the neighboring city suburbs, these go while stopping and always delay you when you are in a rush. boda bodas- motorcycles are the easiest and cheapest depending on where you are going, these require to board one who owns a passenger helmet to safeguard yourself, and you must be able to bargain before travel, using applications like safe boda, bold and uber are also available around town which might ease your movements.
Dos and don’ts in kampala city
DO’S
- Always have room for bargaining while in the craft shops and markets
- Drive when sober
- Wear a helmet when using the motorcycle-boda boda
- Be keen enough on your belongings and learn a few local language phrases that might help you to blend in easily
- Greet people, and avoid showing negative attitudes
DON’TS
- Do not smoke in public
- Avoid parking on city pavements
- Avoid dark corners in the night
- Avoid littering
- Use a car to explore the car to avoid much trouble
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Area size- 189 km2
- Population-3.6 million
- Major languages-english, luganda, and kiswahili
Location
- Latitude-4012’n & 1029’s
- Longitude-29034’e &3500’w
- Capital of uganda located in africa-east africa