Kampala city is the capital city of Uganda located in the central region of the country. Also known as the city that never sleep, Kampala city is rich of political, religious and cultural history to learn about and many sites to visit. Kampala city is located in a rift valley surrounded by 7 hills which include Nsambya hill, Namirembe hill, Mengo hill, Lubaga hill, Kololo hill, Kibuli and old Kampala hill. Kampala hill was a reserved hunting area for the King of Buganda (Kabaka) before the Arabs came to Uganda. The hunting fields were filled with a lot of impalas, and that is where the name of the city ‘’ Kampala’’ came about. When you decide to embark on any Uganda safari, tour or holiday trip you should consider visiting Kampala city for an amazing day and night experience.
What is there to see and visit in Kampala city?
Just like any other tourism destination, Kampala city is filled with lots of tourism sites, spots or places to visit to highlight the you Kampala city tour, some of these places include,
Kabaka’s palace
Located in the heart of the city on top of Mengo hill, kabaka ‘s palace is where the king of Buganda seats is a good place to visit for the culture lovers. During your visit, you will be able to listen to stories about the kingdom, participate in preparation of matooke which is the stepal food for Baganda people. You will be able to see traditional dances performances (maganda dances). and get a chance to try on the traditional wears of the Baganda people.
Night clubs in Kampala
Kampala is well known as the city that never sleeps, and visiting the night clubs during night time is the best way to unwind and relax your mind listening to the music being played. You will also be sipping some wine, spirit, cocktail, beer, to mention but a few.
Kasubi tombs
Visiting Kasubi tombs is one cultural activity that you should not miss out on visiting during your Kampala city tour. Kasubi tombs are the burial grounds for the kings of Buganda kingdom built in 1882 and was converted into burial grounds in 1884. During your visit to the tombs you will be able to listen to stories about the place, see how the rituals are practiced, learn the spiritual and cultural importance of the place.
Uganda museum
The Uganda museum displays the cultural, political, religious, history or heritage of Uganda as a country at large. This is exhibited in form of paintings, crafts, clothes, ancient antiques that are displayed all around the museum to be seen by the tourists/ visitors to tell them the story/ history about Uganda.
Nakasero market
Nakasero market was built in 1895 by the kabaka of that time with the advice he got from reverend McKay. At Nakasero market you can buy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold there at a very affordable price. A side from that the market is always buzzing since there are a lot of market venders who carry out different businesses.
Owino market
Owino market is located in the heart of Kampala city, this is one the largest market of its kind in Africa. Owino market is always busy buzzing with people singing different prices of the commodities that they are selling. The most commodity sold in owino market are second hand clothes and second-hand shoes which are imported from different parts of the world. When buying things from owino market the prices start from cheap and when u bargain more they even become cheaper. If you are interested in buying souvenirs, you can visit the craft village located along the Buganda road.
Namirembe hill
Namirembe hill is one of the 7 hills that form up Kampala city. This hill is where the Anglican church is also seated (Namirembechurch of Uganda) where Anglicans gather every Sunday and during special occasions for prayers and celebrations.
Uganda martyrs’ shrine Namugongo
Despite the fact that every 3rd June people from different parts of the world gather at Namugongo martyrs’ shrine to celebrate and remember these young and old men who were killed. The main reason to why they were killed under the king’s orders was because of their faith in God and refused to rebuke it. For people interested in religious tourism, this is the perfect place for you to visit and on top of that a museum has been opened up there recently having perfect exhibitions telling stories of the martyrs.
Rubaga hill
Rubaga was the original location where the Buganda king’s palace was located at first before it was struck by lightening and was rebuilt on a neighboring hill which happened to be Mengo hill. Rubaga hill was allocated by the king of that time to the catholic missionaries who later on came to Buganda. Speaking right now Rubaga hill is where the Rubaga cathedral a catholic church is seated and this is where most Catholics around the city gather for prayers every Sunday and during special occasions.
Kabaka’s lake
Kabaka’s lake is very much connected to the culture and norms of Buganda kingdom since many cultural rituals are performed from the lake and it is also of spiritual importance to the people of the kingdom. Kabaka’s lake is the largest man-made lake in Uganda that was made under the instructions of kabaka Mwanga. He ordered for the making of the lake so that he can use it as an escape route when trouble comes and also a sport center for boat competitions that are still being held till today.
Gadhafi mosque
This mosque is seated on one of the hills that make up Kampala city. Gadhafi mosque was a donation from the late Gadhafi who was killed due to political reasons. This mosque is a flooded with Muslims every Friday for prayers and during special occasions like Eddi’s, weddings, to mention but a few. if you are interested in religions in Uganda, you should not miss out on visiting this mosque.
Some other places that you can visit during your Kampala city tour include the old taxi park, Bahai temple, Makerere university the first university in Uganda, Ndere center, to mention but a few. before deciding or embarking on a Kampala city tour youshould always remember to follow the rules and guidelines given to you by your guide. You should also consider asking for permission before doing any thing from the guide while on the tour. It will be advisable to exchange your money in to the Ugandan currency before embarking on the city tour. Keeping your stuff or property on the Kampala city tour is the way to go and not easily trusting strangers along the way.