Uganda Kampala Tourist Attractions; Kampala is Uganda’s largest city and commercial capital bordering Lake Victoria- Africa’s largest lake. A city of seven hills covered with red-tile villas and trees surrounding an urban center of contemporary skyscrapers. Above all, Uganda Museum explores the country’s tribal heritage through an extensive collection of artefacts to thrill while on Uganda Safaris.
Therefore, Kampala’s seven hills are the great locations to tourist attractions found in Kampala most especially the religious buildings were constructed on these hills such as Kibuli Mosque, Uganda National Mosque, Rubaga cathedral, Namirembe Church, Baha’i temple among others attractions.
Kampala being Uganda’s national city is divided into the five divisions such as Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makidye Division, Nakawa Division and Rubaga Division. It also has metropolitan area comprising of the city proper and the neighboring Wakiso District, Mukono District, Buikwe District, Mpigi District and Luweero District. Currently, Kampala was reported to be among the fastest growing cities in Africa with an annual population growth rate of 4.03 percent by city mayors.
Below are the landmarks of Kampala’s tourist attractions as listed;
There is easy way on how to access to Kampala’s tourist attractions which is one of most exciting landmarks in the world. Visitors on visit to Uganda enjoy doing Kampala city tour on their visit and is the best way to encounter these attractions done guided by our Knowledgeable English speaking guide who helps you make the most of the unforgettable sights on offer including Historic Site, Monument, Culture, Museum, Places of Worship, Markets, Architecture among others.
More so ,Kampala is surrounded by seven hills which acts as attraction to the tourists and the locals .Kasubi Hill where the Kasubi Tombs are built ,Mengo Hill where the present Lubiri ‘’King Palace is located and the Headquarters of the Buganda Court of Justice and of the Lukiiko as well as Buganda’s Parliament ‘’Bulange’ ’Kibuli Hill where you can find Kibuli mosque ,Namirembe Hill where home to the Anglican cathedral is find , Lugaba Hills ,where the Rubaga catholic cathedral was built and before it was the headquarters of the white fathers. Nsambya Hill location to the headquarter of the Mill Hill Mission but now houses Nsambya Hospital and Kampala Hill ‘’old Kampala’’ and word Kampala derives from Impala which used to leave in these inhabitant thus the area turning into the Capital City. The city also spreads to other hills Nakasero Hill, Mbuya hill makes it a land mark of attractions. The highlight of top attraction to see while on visit to Uganda Kampala Tourist Attractions include;
Uganda National Museum
The Uganda National museum is located 3kilometer along Kira road from the heart of Kampala city. This museum is the oldest in East Africa, which was established in 1908 with assortments objects from the different traditional chiefs. This Museum displays items on Uganda’s history, natural historical samples, artifacts and Musical instruments and all things displayed talks about the traditional history of Uganda.
Kasubi Tombs
Kasubi Tombs are located on Kasubi Hill which is 5 kilometers along Hoima Road. These tombs are the burial grounds for four kings from the Buganda Kingdoms. Currently the four king were buried in this place namely; Mutesa 1 who ruled from 1856 to 1884, Chwa Daudi Rulude from the year 18899 to 1939, Mutesa 11 ruled from 1939 to 1966 and Mwanga who ruled from 1884 to 1897. This place has a strong major reasons that why it’s renown as the biggest in Africa. Then the other smaller adjacent tombs are used as resident areas of places for the care takers and houses for some of the kingdoms of royal regalia.
And what attracts tourists who visit the place is the scrupulous architecture of the Large tomb and the other smaller hats. Addition to that, the observation of the pictures, regalia and listening to the histories /stories about the former kings as well as the history of the Buganda Kingdom.
Baha’i Temple
The Baha’i temple lies on Kikaya Hill just 7 kilometers away from the breezes of Kampala city along Gayaza Road. This temple is the only temple of the Baha’i faith in the entire Africa, ’naming it African mother temple’’. It attracts many because of its green environment with cool breathtaking air, the building itself attracts many among others.
This temple is of international importance and attracts followers of the Baha’i faith from all over the world. Millions of visitors enjoy its rewarding scenic view of Kampala City. Its surrounding environment additionally attracts people to come for prayers and meditation of the place.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo
The Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo is found along Kampala-Jinja highway and is one of the important site that attracts thousands of millions across the world to come gather every 3rd June annually. This distinguished shrine it’s where 32 pillars were killed because of their strong faith in God. At Namugongo its where the 32 young Christians converts; Anglican and Catholics were martyred on denial to denounce Christianity, something which was spreading like wildlife in Uganda from the year 1870.
The shrine was built with the capacity to accommodate 1000 people whose seats are organized in a circular form. Fact that, Uganda Martyrs shrine Namugongo ranks one of the largest Christian pilgrimage destinations in Africa dedicated to the 22 martyrs and saints of Uganda who were killed because of their faith in God through denying to serve the king any more.
Rubaga Cathedral
The Rubaga Cathedral lies on Rubaga hill, about 5 kilometers way from the heart of Kampala city. This is cardinal’s seat of the Roman catholic church in Uganda. Formerly, the hill was a palace of Mutesa 1 but later was donated to Bishop Hirth by his successor Mwanga in 1889.The official opening of the cathedral was on 31st October 1925.
Namirembe Cathedral
Namirembe cathedral is located on Namirembe hill one of the seven hills found in Kampala which is adjacent to Rubaga hill. Before this hill was resident of Kabaka’s ‘’king’’ and later donated it to early missionaries, now is the seat of the Archbishops of the Anglican church ‘’church of Uganda’’. They first built the church in 1880s and then the Cathedral was built 1890.
Makerere University
This University is located on Makerere hill ,north of the center Kampala city .Makerere is the main institution of higher learning and largest in Uganda; at first it was established as a technical school in 1922 .Later in 1963 a technical school turned into the university of East Africa offering courses that leads to general degrees from the University of London .In 1970 ,I became an independent university when the university of East Africa was split into three independent universities such as University of Nairobi –Kenya ,University of Dar as Salaam –Tanzania and Makerere University to take a magnificient look while on Uganda budget Safaris
Despite the fact that, Makerere before it was home to post –independence African leaders including former Ugandan president Milton Obote and Late Tanzania president Julius Nyerere. Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa and current late Mwai Kibaki –Kenyan president are alumni thus one of the Uganda Kampala Tourist Attractions.
Mulago Hospital
The Mulago Hospital is renown as national existing referral hospital in Uganda, located 4 kilometers north east of the heart of Kampala city Centre and initially a treatment center which starts in 1913 and was later built during the 1950s. The highlight attractions about Mulago hospital are the architectural building and research.
Kibuli Mosque
Kibuli Mosque is also one of the major tourist’s attraction in Kampala which can be encountered on your visit to Kampala city tour. This mosque is one of the biggest mosque of Uganda with great rewardable beautiful views. It is located on Kibuli hill, a home to Muslims. A Buganda royal and colonial collaborator prince Badru Kakungulu is the one who owned the hill. But later he donated the land measuring 3,973 feet hill to construct the Kibuli mosque.
Gaddafi National Mosque/National Mosque
This mosque sounds as the national mosque that lies at Kampala Hill in the old Kampala area. It built and completed in2006 and it has a seating capacity of over 5,000 worshippers and can hold another 1,100 in the gallery whereas the terrace can cater for another 3,500 colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya built the mosque it was a gift to Ugandans.
Independence Monument
The independence monument also acts as a tourist attraction in Kampala, located along Speke road midst of the city and what make it an attraction is the amazing construction of the independence Monument which was funded by the British colonial government in the days that lead up to Uganda’s first independence celebrations on October 9-1962. Something which was designed as a man unwrapping his child and raising it to touch the sky, the towering sculpture signifies a new born country set free from the bondages of colonization. This monument was made from cement, sand, iron bars and wire mesh and brought up a beautiful picture that attracts numbery of visitors while touring around the city.
Ndere Centre the Home of Cultures
This is a home where you can visit and get amazed of the unique traditional dance, music and dram which is performed by the Banyankole tribe of Uganda. The Ndere troupes is a very unique architectural that features with artistic creativity and taking modern African architecture that attracts tourists on visit here.
Gurdwara Ramgarhia Sabha
Gurdwara Ramgarhia Sabha is also a place of worship where all the Gurdwara people gather to hear hymnals and recitals.
Lubiri Palace
Lubiri palace ‘’King’s palace is the royal’s compound located in Mengo, a monarchy that dates back almost 800 years. This palace has been the main one since it was first constructed in 1885 by Danieri Mwanga 11 Mukasa, who is the 31st king of Buganda. The palace covers 4 square miles in size and ringed by a six-foot brick fence and has a small airstrip within its walls. The palace is official residence of the Buganda thus one of the Uganda Kampala Tourist Attractions.
Kabaka’s Lake
This is the biggest manmade lake in the country. Located in Ndebe close to 5 kilometers from the city center in the west, off Masaka road. It was under the orders of King Mwanga of Buganda Kingdom who commanded the men to dug the lake. This kabala’s lake has an attraction in its middle which is called Nyonyi Natulututu where you can spot beautiful birds and the nature is rewarding. Activities carried out here; boat racing, pleasure and viewing of the birds at the Kabaka’s Lake.
Sir Albert Cook Site
It also acts as attraction on Kampala city tour, located in Mengo few kilometers to the heart of Kampala. In 1895, the church Missionary Society sought to come to Uganda he volunteered, who took a journey by sea, landing at Mombasa after three months something which was bit tricky. After three months they arrived in Kampala. In 1867he established Mengo hospital, the oldest hospital in East Africa. He later got married to Katharine Timpson a missionary nurse with whom he had two daughters and sons.
Mbugo Tombs
This is also a burial ground for Muslims where the first Moslem from the Baganda tribe was buried. It is found in Kawempe in Mbogo zone.
Lugard’s Fort at old Kampala
It is a national significance where the colonial period undertook the governess of captain Fredrick Lugard who was the first governor and later protectorate.
Nakasero Market
This is Kampala’s famous market where you can find any kind of the fresh vegetables, fruits you may wish to buy and eat. Nakasero market is located in the foot hills of Nakasero hill just below Kampala.
Old Kampala
Old Kampala building gives a unique architecture around Kampala city.
