UGANDA SAFARIS
Kampala attractions Tour Guide
As much as Kampala is Uganda's main Business district, there many Kampala attractions which you could enjoy during your visit to the city.
On this page we share with you some tips and information to help refine you Kampala city tour plans.
Kampala is Uganda’s capital and largest city. Just like the legendary city of Rome, Kampala is known as the city of seven hills.
You need to ensure that your tour operator provides you with a comprehensive itinerary of how you will explore kampala before you actually make tour.
In this section of the Uganda Safaris guide we have listed for you some of the interesting areas you should find on your tour itinerary.
Your city tour will usually start with a pick up from your Uganda hotel, prefrebly within Kampala.
You may not visit all the areas in one day but you can use this list to ensure that your travel agent has not left out an interesting site you wish to explore.You can also ask your tour operator to provide you with an English speaking tour guide who is conversant in Luganda, the most widely spoken local language within Kampala.
Apart from taking you around the city, the guide can also help you bargin for good prices when it comes to purchasing some items like Crafts.
The areas you could visit include:
- Uganda Museum
- Bahai Temple
- Kibuli Mosque
- The National Theater
- Namirembe Cathedral
- Rubaga Cathedral
- Nakasero Market
- Crafts Villages
- Owino Market
- Kasubi Tombs
- Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site
- Wamala Tombs
- Kabaka's Lake
- Kabaka's Palace & Office on Kabakanjagala Road
- Uganda Martyrs Shrine
Uganda Museum
The Uganda Museum is one of the Kampala attractions that displays Uganda's cultural heritage and here you will be able to see the ethnological and natural-historical exhibitions.
It is a vivid reminder of the country's colourful past. One of its most interesting features is the collection of traditional musical instruments, which you are free to play when you visit.
The museum contains other rich materials from Uganda and is a must see.
The Uganda Society’s library is housed in one room of the Uganda National Museum. Started in the 1930’s by a group of scholars, the collection is comprised of approximately 3,000 volumes, maps, periodicals and photographs, all pertaining to African history, culture, sociology, travel and science.
In addition to its collection, the library houses the books of the East African Wildlife Society and a number of books from the museum which were given to the society’s care some years ago.
Although the library was a circulating library for many years, due to the limited availability of the books and their value, the collection is currently available for reference use only.
The Uganda Museum was founded in 1908 in Kampala has exhibits of traditional culture, archeology, history, science, and natural history. It regularly presents performances of traditional music.
Bahai Temple
Bahai temple is one of the Kampala attractions tha has been hailed as a wonder of not only Uganda, but of Africa as a whole.
The Bahá'í Temple is located about 7 kilometers from Kampala city center you will be awed and amazed not only by ts architectural splendor, but also by the beautiful natural environment in which the temple majestically stands.
Perched at the top of Kikaya hill, Bahai temple can be seen from many of Kampala's hills the city's suburbs.
Kibuli Mosque
Kibuli Mosque is one of the biggest and oldest mosques of Uganda with a beautiful view over Kampala. For a small fee you can visit the mosque and the towers as well.
National Theater
The National Theater a.k.a Uganda National Cultural Center is a semi autonomous body established by an act of Parliament of 1959 amended in 1965.
This Uganda attraction has two major components namely the National Theatre and the Nommo Gallery situated on plot No.2, 4 and 6 Dewinton Road and the plot No. 4 Victoria Avenue respectively.
In 1952 a delegation of Theatre enthusiastic had an audience with Sir Andrew Cohen- then Governor and persuaded him to set up the first committee to investigate the feasibility and desirability of building a centre for annual festival of the then existing groups. This committee came out with a report and recommendations that a Hall with a seating capacity of sixty be built, but after further consultations with drama lovers the number was increased to 460.
Today The Uganda National Cultural Centre (National Theatre-Nommo Gallery) is an apex of Uganda’s creative institutions. It is used by about 5000 theatre groups and music groups together with educational institutions around the country.
Namirembe Cathedral
Namirembe Cathedral is Uganda's oldest cathedral.
The brick red Anglican Cathedral with the impressive dome is also known as St. Paul's Cathedral.
The first church was built on Namirembe Hill/ Mengo in March 1890. The cathedral is visible from much of Kampala.
Interesting is the graveyard which includes the remains of Bishop Hannington, who was murdered 1885, and the Cooks, who established Mengo Hospital.
Rubaga Cathedral
Rubaga Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church.
The huge building was restored for the Pope's visit of Uganda.
The church houses the remains of the first African Catholic Bishop and the first African Archbishop of Kampala Diocese, Joseph Kiwanuka.
Nakasero Market
You will find Nakasero market located on Market street in the city centre, between Entebbe Road and Dustur Street.
This is one of the Kampala attractions where you will experience the sounds and colour of Uganda in the heart of the city.
You will find huge variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, mostly indigenous to Uganda.
Across the street is a lower market, full of spices, legumes, grains and hand -made household items.
This market is surrounded by a number of shops or dukas, where you find every thing for the home - hardware, sanitary-ware and electrical shops surround the area. Make sure you negotiate well, as the prices might be hiked up for a new person shopping in the market.
Crafts Villages
One of the crafts villages is behind the National theatre on De Winton Road and the other on Buganda Road opposite 1000cups coffee House and Hotel Triangle Kampala.
If you wish to browse through bountiful unique and witty souvenirs made by Ugandans or imported from the neighbouring countries, this is the place. Be ready for hours of sheer viewing pleasure.
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Tip
Do not hesitate to negotiate the price for the Items you choose.! |
Owino Market
You will find Owino Market between Nakivubo place and kafumbe Mukasa Road.
If you forgot your tour clothes at home and every one else is looking trendy?
Owino market is the place to buy designer clothes and shoes if you dont mind them being second-hand.
The experience is fascinating and you will possibly be able to buy back some thing of your own!
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Tip
Beware of pick pockets and please leave your jewellery behind. |
Kasubi Tombs
Hoima Road, left turn 1km after Nakulabye round-about.
The Kasubi Tombs is a huge dome-like structure housing the remains of four former Buganda Kings - Mutesa I, Mwanga II, Daudi Chwa II and Edward Mutesa II. It was constructed in traditional fashion, with thatch poles and reeds.
The structure houses a variety of artifacts that belonged to the Kings and the site is looked after by descendants of the Kings' wives.
Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site
Masaka Road, left turn at King's College, Buddo.
The panoramic hill top at Naggalabi Buddo is the historic heart of Buganda. It was here that the kingdom began, at the dawn of the 14th century and where every Kabaka is still crowned to this day.
Wamala Tombs
Hoima Road, right turn from Nakulabye round-about.,/p>
Set on a hill top in beautiful sorroundings, Wamala King's Tombs are the sacred burial place of Kabaka Suuna II.
Kabaka Sunna was a powerful ruler, with a fearsome reputation for punishment.
His death heralded a golden age by bringing Kabaka Mutesa I to the throne.
Kabaka's Lake
Ndeeba, between Ring Road and Nabunya Road.
This lake was dug out on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga in the 1880's as an 'escape corridor' to Lake Victoria. This is the largest excavated lake in Africa.
Kabaka's Palace & Office: Kabakanjagala Road
This interesting structure consists of two large palaces, connected by a straight road.
When walking from Bulange - home to Mengo office, pay attention to the round-about - the straight road in the middle is for Kabaka's use only, as the local superstition says he must not turn a corner on this route.
Half-way from the round-about towards Mengo, you will find a large garden on the right-hand side.
This is home to several large tortoises. If you want to take a picture of these elderly giany beauties, have some fruits for the tortoises and some money for the keepers.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine
Left turn off Jinja Road at Kireka.
The spot where more than 20 newly converted christians were burnt alive in 1886, following the command of Kabaka Mwanga II after refusing to renounce the white man's religion.
Majority of the martyrs were Kabaka's pages and were sent to death for his fear of losing the throne.
Return from The Kampala Attractions Tour Guide to the Uganda Safaris Guide.