Things to do and see in Kampala : Kampala is the national and economic capital of Uganda. In the past, it was known as the hill of the impalas, which comes from the large number of impalas that used to roam the area. Kampala has a lot of interesting things to do and see besides its ancient buildings and diverse cultures. These things are;
independence monument
The Uganda Independence Monument was built after Uganda got rid of the British in 1962. It is in the middle of Kampala City, right next to the Sheraton Hotel. When you are in Kampala, stop by this monument and take shots.
Uganda Museum
In 1908, Governor George Wilson asked for all interesting items about Uganda to be collected. This was the start of the museum. The Uganda Museum has a lot of things to look at and play, such as singing instruments, hunting gear, and weapons. The Uganda Museum is the oldest museum in East Africa, and going there is one of the best things to do and see in Kampala.
Baha’i Temple
The Baha’i temple in Kampala is the only one in Africa, and anyone who wants to visit or even join in prayers is welcome to do so. The temple is on top of a hill in a quiet, peaceful place that is great for resting and thinking.
Kabaka’s Palace
The Kabaka, who is the king of the Buganda Kingdom, lives in the Kabaka’s house. It is at the top of Bulange Hill and has been there for hundreds of years. The palace tells a lot about the past of Buganda, which is one of Uganda’s oldest kingdoms. The road there is called Kabaka Anjagala, which means “The king loves me.” A good way to learn about Ugandan culture is to go to the palace.
The guided visit to Bulange will cover the Lukiiko Hall, the gardens and monuments and the Central Broadcasting Station (CBS), Zakariya Kisingiri’s house, one of the oldest and magnificent houses in Buganda located along the Royal Mile, ‘Lukoma Nantawetwa,’ Kabaka’s round about (junction) on Rubaga road, Mengo and the ‘Empukku’; former Idi Amin’s Amin’s torture chambers cave inside the Lubiri.
Owino Market
If you go to downtown Kampala, you can go to the St. Balikudembe (Bartholomew) market, which is more commonly called Owino. This market is one of the biggest in Kampala, and there are usually a lot of people there. The Owino market has almost everything. From clothes to food, electronics, stationery, and a lot more, there is a lot to buy online. Keep in mind that pickpockets like to hang out here, so be careful as you walk through this part of Kampala city.
The Parliament of the Republic of Uganda
The Ugandan Parliament building is in the middle of Kampala, on Parliament Avenue. You have to make an appointment to see this, and at the gate you will be thoroughly checked by security staff.
Art Galleries
Kampala is a great place to visit if you’re a tourist who loves art. There are a lot of art places where you can look at beautiful works of art. You can go to places like Afriart, Makerere Art Gallery, and Umoja Gallery.
Kabaka’s Manmade Lake
Kabaka Mwanga built the lake of the Kabaka between 1884 and 1888. It is the biggest lake that people have made in Africa, and it is about 200 feet deep. At first, the Kabaka wanted the lake to connect his palace, Lubiri, to Lake Victoria. It is said that he even helped dig the lake to set an example for his people.
Kasubi tombs
The Kasubi Tombs are a place on the list of World Heritage Sites that you should see if you are in Kampala. The spiritual leaders of Buganda Kingdom, called Kabakas, are buried here. At the moment, three Kabakas are buried there. Kasubi Tombs is being fixed up, so people can’t go there right now. As soon as the repairs are done, people will be able to go there again.
Explore Kampala by boda boda
Boda boda motorbikes are the fastest way to get around the city of Kampala, even in the most crowded places. Riding a boda boda is a fun and inexpensive way to see the world.
Nakasero Market
Nakasero Market is in the middle of Kampala and is a one-stop shop for food, especially food that is grown locally. People come to Nakasero market to buy all sorts of fruits, veggies, and other things. When you are in Kampala, you should definitely stop by this market. One of the best things to do and see in Kampala is this market. You’ll really like it.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe
The Cathedral of Saint Paul Namirembe is the provincial cathedral of the Church of Uganda and the diocesan cathedral for Namirembe Diocese, which was the first diocese to be created in the Church of Uganda province in 1890. The church was the provincial church of the Church of Uganda, Anglican Communion, from 1919 to 1967.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga
The 30th Kabaka of Buganda, Mutesa, who ruled from 1856 to 1884, had a castle on Lubaga Hill at one time. When the house burned down, he left the hill and moved to Mengo Hill. In 1889, his son, Mwanga II of Buganda, gave that land to the French Catholic priests (called “White Fathers”) who were setting up the Catholic church in the country at the time. In 1914, missionaries in Lubaga (Rubaga) began building a new church. The building of St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga was done in 1925, and it was dedicated on December 31, 1925.
The Uganda National Mosque (Gaddafi Mosque)
The Uganda National Mosque is a place of worship in Kampala, Uganda. It is on Kampala Hill in the Old Kampala neighborhood. When it was done in 2006, it could hold up to 15,000 worshippers. Another 1,100 people could fit in the hall, and 3,500 more could stand on the terrace. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya gave the mosque to Uganda as a gift, so that the Muslim people could use it. You can go to this mosque, but you need to look nice.
Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine
The Uganda Martyrs were killed by Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda between 1885 and 1887 at Namugongo because they wouldn’t stop being Christians. The Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine was built in their honor. Every June 3, people from all over the world gather at Namugongo to honor the lives of the victims. The shrine is about 16 kilometers north-east of Kampala, the city of Uganda.
