Kampala City Tour

Buganda is the largest and one of the oldest kingdoms and holds the Capital city of Uganda.

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  The history of Buganda and the Baganda who are also the largest population is synonymous with the history of Uganda. The Lubiri as it is commonly known in the local language is a magnificent, historical piece of architectural art that peers out through the normally blue skies on top of Mengo hill and the capital of the reigning king of Buganda. Customary every new king has a right to choose a hill on which to build his palace and rename it. However, the reigning King chooses not to live here much because of the much blood that was spilt and his father having been attacked here.

  A clear straight road lined with old candlenut trees locally known as “Kabaka Anjagala” literally translating in the king loves me. The trees which were imported from Indian derive their local name from the local subjects whom Kabaka sir Fredrick Mutesa donated these trees to and they would go home bragging “Kabaka Anjagala Yampadde no mutti” Translated the King loves me he even gave me a tree. That connects the palace to Bulange (Buganda parliament). There were 56 of these trees representing the 52clans which Kabaka Mutebi increased by dividing the big ones. The road also derives its name from the trees. Halfway through the road is a roundabout “Lukoma Nantawetwa” (also a title to the king translating into the king doesn’t go round a roundabout) it is called in Luganda with a towering long drum, halved to create a way in between and a gate locked and guarded.

  The King is the only one allowed to go through this roundabout and that’s the only time the gate is opened. This is to avoid making the king dizzy as he drives out of his palace and also because the Kabaka has the authority over all roads that lead to his palace. The palace is built in such a way that the courthouse is facing the main entrance to the palace for security purposes. It is believed that spirits move in a straight line and therefore there should be nothing standing in between the king and his spirits. The Twekobe as the palace is normally known locally derives its name from the efforts of the subjects in putting up the magnificent centrepiece. The word means uniting for a cause.

  Just before the gate into the palace, is a fireplace, locally known as Kyoto Ggombolola whose fire, never goes out. The thrible is lit by the Nakisinge clan and the particular person who lights it is titled Musoloza. He hails from the lineage of Kyeyune, the clan head of Nakisinge cordon blue, of Kyagwe. The fire is a symbol that the king still reigns on the throne and it is lit 2 times a day at 5pm and 5am and the firewood is mostly from the Mutuba ficus Nantalasis tree, also from which bark cloths are made. The fire is only allowed to go off if the king dies.

  The walled fence enclosure is guarded by two guards and with the help of a guide you will be taken around Mengo palace covers a very wide area and was constructed by ssekabaka Mwanga ll in 1885. After he took over power in 1884 he put up his palace in Masaja. He later thought of changing to another palace he however had great admiration for Nkaawo hill on which the Nvubu (hippopotamus) clan kept their grinding stones (Emmengo) which they used to grind herbal medicine. He then decided to rebuild his palace here. It is therefore from these grinding stones that the name mengo was adopted.

  Mengo hill is also the administrative capital of the Buganda Kingdom, although the King is also allowed to have palaces elsewhere like in Bamunanika palace in Bulemeezi, Nkoni palace in Buddu which were built by King Sir Edward Muteesa II, Salama palace and Kikeera palace which were built by Sir Daudi Chwa, Banda and Kireka and these were built by Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. As we earlier mentioned, Mengo palace is the official palace for the Kingdom and it is hereditary. It is the official residence for all the Kings of Buganda. In this palace, you will find the Kabaka`s official house called Twekobe. to the left of the main entrabnce is the Kabaka’s Collection which has photographs that profile Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s life, from the time he was a child to date Inside the In there, he is seen with his father at a sports gala, Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada, a number of elders and on his coronation day, among other photographs. The house profiles the whole of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s life since he was born to date , the Kasubi tombs before they were gutted by fire, the Kabaka Anjagala road among others profile photos.

  A number of regalia and their various ritual are explained too before following through the door step to the military machinery used by fallen presidents Idi Amin and Milton Obote when they attacked the palace in 1966. More to that is the dilapidated Rolls-Royce, one of Kabaka Muteesa’s precious possessions. He was the first Ugandan to drive a car.

  Next is the King’s main house where no one is allowed. As earlier mentioned it was constructed by king Mwanga 11 and was built similar to the one of Queen Elizabeth the 11 with for gates at different corners with names attached to them- wankaki the main gate, kalaala entrance for one of the Kabaka’s wives , Nnalongo (mother of twins) who performs some norms in the palace and Ssabagabo or Wansaso the Kabaka’s private gate,” the guide adds. Lots of scruffy houses are scattered in the compound and these are mostly occupied by guards, although initially they were occupied by ministers of different ministries in the kingdom.

  Continue further down to “Empuuku” the dungeon this was amin’s torture chambers built by Amin himself with the help of the Israelites during his reign of terror and torture between 1971 and 1979. The palace is as disheartening and dark as its stories. With the blood stained walls and a somber atmosphere, the place seems to still mourn and hurt at the pain and blood that was shed behind them, the torture and pain they witnessed. Behind these walls was the bloodshed by a number of people. The palace has circular roads, thus Amin’s men would blind fold and bundle up people from the palace and stuff them in cars which would drive round in circles then for over hours and would finally stuff them in this grimy dungeon. People would think they’ve been taken to a palace far away yet in actual sense they would still be in the palace.

  Long when the five roomed dungeon was still in working order it was locked with a large metal gate that was electrocuted and a long corridor full of electrocuted water of about a feet deep and any attempts to escape led to death by electrocution. Thousands of people were packed into the small rooms until there was barely any turning space, they were then starved many were frustrated and dumped themselves into the electrocuted water to die- and for those who dint the solider would kill them, themselves. Over 20000 people lost their lives here and only of recent because children visit this place as well were the skulls and bones of the deceased removed.

  When you are done with both the good and the disheartening history tour of Kabaka’s Palace, you could proceed to the Buganda parliament for further understanding of Buganda and its Culture

The Bahai temple in Kampala, Uganda, is the only Bahai temple in Africa and among the only nine existing in the world.

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  Others are found in USA, Chile, India, Germany, Australia, Panama, Cambodia and Samoa. This is (Bahai Temple) one of the best spots to visit on a Kampala city tour. The temple is annually open to various visitors; believers, non-believers, and the curious visitors. The temple is surrounded by beautiful and serene grounds providing spectacular and stunning views of the surrounding area. The Bahai temple is also a great place to see the beautiful indigenous birdlife as well.

  The Bahai temple was completed in 1961 and it has since received mammoth of visitors. The temple is always open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, on a daily basis with a Sunday Service opening at 10:30am. Suitable attire for a spiritual place of worship is highly recommended. The beautiful grounds offer a wide range of photographic opportunities however one is asked to respect the Temple interior and not to take photos within. The Bahai temple’s grounds have various spots to sit, relax and meditate, however visitors are asked not to litter in the Bahai’s surroundings.

  Like all the other Bahai temples in the world, the Kampala Bahai Temple in Uganda is designed in a way that blends traditional, spiritual and artistic values. The Kampala-based Bahai temple is modeled on a traditional African hut. The dome-like shape represents the divine circle, a reflection of heaven on earth and the spirituality of sacred borders.

  The temple has a height of 38 meters (125 feet) and by the time of its building it was the tallest building in East Africa. It has a circular covered porch on the lowest level offering protection from the seasonal strong winds and heavy rains. The outer front is covered in green and white mosaic tiles, while on the inside the dome is painted blue. It has a seating capacity of over 400 individuals.

  Immediately after you have entered the temple you will start to feel a sense of peace and tranquility, making you to forget everything in the outside world. The Bahai temple is really a very unique building; there is a daily minimum of three mandatory prayers, as written in the Bahai holy book of prayer – the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. It is believed to have been written by the Bahai founder, Bahá’u’lláh, in 1873 and contains the laws by which the Bahai believers must comply with. It is believed that the Bahai believers do not have a devoted day of the week, set by holy law, on which to meet; it is rather up to the Bahai community to choose the most convenient day for them to meet.

  In Kampala, however, the Bahai believers go to the temple on Sundays. Believers are asked to dress modestly though there is no strict attire. During October and November where there are special days/events like the Twin Holy Birthdays, two consecutive days commemorating the birth of Baha’u’llah and Bab – the most important figures in the Bahai faith, the temple is always filled to capacity. Generally there are 11 holy days and on most Sundays in Kampala the temple records at least 100 worshippers. The Bahai, however, do not baptize but have a tendency that when a child turns 15 years of age he/she declares his/her faith and is thereby issued with declaration card and the same applies to the new converts.

  There are over 10 Bahai centers distributed across Uganda, hence for those who can’t make it to the temple can definitely go to these places. The Bahai temple is absolutely one of the must-visit things while on a Kampala city tour, especially if you are a cultural enthusiast. The other popular spots to visit on a Kampala city tour include; Kabaka Lake (Akayaanja Ka Kabaka), Buganda Palace, Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Namugongo Martyrs Shrines, Munyonyo Martyrs Shrines and many more.

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  It is one of the seven hills that make up Kampala city the capital of Uganda. the construction of this mosque started in 1972 under the Idi Amin era after the government had formed he Uganda Supreme Council and the mosque was then called Old Kampala National Mosque.

  Construction later came to a standstill in 1976 untill 2001 when the Ugandan Mufti Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje approached the late former president of Libya Col Muammar Gaddafi during his visit to Uganda asking him for assistance to complete the construction which he accepeted. Construction then commenced in 2006 and was officially opened in 2007 hence the name after Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. After his death the mosque was renamed to Uganda National Mosque in 2013.

  The mosque has a sitting capacity of 15000 worshippers in the hall, 11000 people in tyhe gallery and 35000 people in the terrace. it has tge largest hall in East,central and subsaharan Africa and its alwyas open for friday prayers and islamic festivals .

  The mosque consists of a standard conference Hall, library, hospital, University college and a radio station. Gaddafi mosque is a unique skyscraper with a staircase hike to the top giving you a 360 view of the city of kamapala compared to other mosques in Uganda and houses the headquaters of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council the umbrella organisation for all muslims in Uganda. Gaddafi Mosque is a great destination that is strategically located hence providing beautiful viewss from all corners while in Kampala, designed in magnificient architecture structures which makes it a must visit destination offering great experiences while on your Kampala city tour

Enjoy an African history, cultures and treasures of Uganda under one roof.

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  Visit is the biggest and the oldest Museum in Uganda which was founded in 1908, the Uganda Museums remarkable collections spans over two million years of human history. Enjoy an African history, cultures and treasures of Uganda under one roof.

  The Museum has different sections including Traditional music section with the traditional musical instruments and a live performance is always available for the visitors.

  The Archeaology section with the parts of Stone Age and Iron Age where you will be able to see the stone tools which were used 1,000,000 years ago, The Independence pavilion of science and industry having transport (7th car in Uganda), communication (model of the 1st telephone in East Africa) Ethno history with the things of recent history like the first printing press in Uganda.

  Ethnography providing the visitors with the touch of cultures and peoples way of life Paleaolontology with the fossils aged about 20,000,000 years ago. Also discover the distinct species of mammals like Long- horned buffalo and the Indian Elephant.

  Outside the Museum is the Living museum (Cultural village) that exhibits the ways of lives of Ugandans as it represents the whole of Uganda. Definetly a must visit while on a city tour of Uganda.

The sculpture signifies a new born country let free from colonialism and bondages.

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  The Independence Monument, standing majestically at a height of 6 metres, is a must see if you are travelling to Kampala. The monument situated in the heart of the capital between the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Grand Imperial Hotel and Stan-Chart bank, is one of the most distinctive landmark of Uganda.

  Ugandas Independence Monument was constructed by former British Colonial Government just before Uganda celebrated its first independence on Tuesday 9th October 1962.The monument depicts a man unwrapping a child and raising the child to touch the sky.

  The sculpture signifies a new born country let free from colonialism and bondages. Today with the beautification around the monument, you need to carry your camera for the memorable capture of the sight.This is among kampala’s top Attractions and best sight when doing city walks