Things to do in Kampala City : Kampala is the capital city and largest city of Uganda located in the central region of the country. Kampala occupies a series of hills at an elevation of about 3,900 feet that is 1,190 metres and is situated in the southern part of the country, just north of Lake Victoria which is the largest freshwater lake in Africa. Kampala is the hub of the nation’s road network and lies on the railway from Kasese to Mombasa in Kenya. Kampala is also served by Port Bell (6 miles [10 km] east) on Lake Victoria and by Uganda’s international airport at Entebbe located about 21 miles (34 km) in Entebbe – southwest.
Kampala city is also lies just north of Mengo which is the capital of the kingdom of Buganda. It was selected in 1890 by Captain Fredrick Lugard as the headquarters of the Imperial British East Africa Company. Lugard’s fort on Old Kampala Hill remained the Ugandan colonial administrative headquarters until 1905, when it was moved to Entebbe and later in 1962 Kampala (a municipality since 1949) became the capital of independent Uganda. Parliamentary and commercial buildings, industry, and residential areas are separated into sectors.
Kampala city is situated in the country’s most prosperous agricultural section, Kampala exports coffee, cotton, tea, tobacco, and sugar. Although second industrially to Jinja city which is located about 64 km eastern Uganda, the city has numerous food, metal-products, and furniture enterprises and a tractor-assembly plant. It is the headquarters for most of Uganda’s large firms and the chief market for the Lake Victoria region.
Kampala city has a technical institute and is the seat of Makerere University which was founded in 1922 and became a university college in 1949 and a university in 1970 and for many years it was the only such educational institution in East Africa.
Today Kampala city has become one of the tourist destination city offering visitors a lot of entertainment enjoyment in city tours. Below are some of the most interesting places to visit in Uganda.
Kasubi tombs – In relation to cultural tourism, visitors can visit Kasubi tombs which is the burial site for the kings and royal family of the Buganda Kingdom. It is a listed by UNESCO as a significant site for the kingdom. A visit to the tombs gives visitors an impression of a rural village with its impressive grass thatched hut originally built for Kabaka Mutesa I as a palace in 1882, which was turned into a burial site after his death two years later.
Craft markets – Kampala city is dotted with colourful crafts markets which are also called crafts villages – selling vibrant crafts ranging from prints, baskets, paintings, pottery, jewelry and more. While some are in permanent locations such as the Crafts Village behind the National Theatre and Crafts Centre on Buganda Road, some are weekly and monthly including one in Makindye and one in front of the Railway Station. Get a chance to interact with the artists and even ask them to make something especially for you.
Parliament of Uganda and the Uganda Momument – The parliament of Uganda is open to the public. One can either tour this impressive building or watch the parliamentarians in action from Tuesday to Thursday, 2 – 4 p.m. Make sure you’re decently dressed, carry a valid identification card and go to the public relations department in room 114 to arrange a visit.
Also the Uganda independence monument is a place not to miss out on a Kampala city tour. Take pictures at the monument that is situated next to Sheraton Kampala Hotel
The Uganda Museum – The Uganda Museum, established in 1908, is the oldest museum in East Africa. The museum displays Uganda’s cultural heritage where one can see ethnological and natural-historical exhibitions, a vivid reminder of the country’s colorful past. It also features a collection of traditional musical instruments, which are free to play. The Uganda museum is open for visitors on weekdays and weekends at specific time.
Uganda National Mosque (the Gaddafi Mosque) – This mosque provides one of the best views of Kampala, and is perched atop Kampala Hill. The building is huge and beautifully constructed with a winding staircase that brings you to the top of the prayer tower. It’s the biggest mosque in Kampala, accommodating up to 20,000 people in its main seating area, gallery, and terrace.
Visitors are allowed to tour and photograph the building. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi contracted to have it built, and then gifted it to Uganda for use by the Muslim population. The mosque was originally named after Gaddafi, but was changed to Uganda National Mosque after his death.
The Kabaka’s palace Mengo – Kabaka’s Palace, once home to the Buganda kings, sits on Mengo Hill Road, in the Lubiri area. It’s also called the haunted mansion because so many were killed on the grounds in Idi Amin’s torture chambers. The palace is mostly uninhabited and being repaired, so it’s inaccessible to tourists, but guided tours of the prison chambers are available.
The Uganda Reptile village – The Reptile Village is home to a variety of snakes, chameleons, lizards, and crocodiles. It’s actually a sanctuary for endangered reptiles, and an education centre for visitors to learn more about reptiles. The reptile village is located in Entebbe; the refuge holds about 20 species of reptiles. There are cobras, monitor lizards, and turtles.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe – The Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, also called the Namirembe Catherdral, is another place of worship with a great view of the city of Kampala. It’s the oldest cathedral in the city. Namirembe Cathedral is the regional cathedral of the Church of Uganda.
The current building, which was constructed using bricks, is the fifth to be built, as previous structures were ruined by the elements or simply abandoned. It is almost 100 years old and is held to be one of the most noteworthy places of worship in Africa.
Ba’hai Temple – There are thousands of people in Uganda that practice the Ba’hai faith and there are only seven Ba’hai temples in the world. One of these temples is located on the outskirts of Kampala, on top of one of their many hills. You can walk through the beautiful gardens, or get a short tour and explanation of the Ba’hai faith and related information. It’s a very peaceful and serene environment with great view
Ssese Islands Lake Victoria – Lake Victoria is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. It is the largest African lake and the world’s largest tropical lake. Native wildlife that lives in the region of Lake Victoria includes the hippopotamus, otter, mongoose, crocodiles, and turtles.
Boat tours are available, as well as sunset cruises. There are many islands on Lake Victoria; you can choose from among them depending on what type of activities you’re seeking. The Ssese islands are a group of 84 islands in Lake Victoria that offer fishing, sailing, boating, horseback riding, hiking, and sandy beaches.
Owino market – Owino Market is a chaotic, yet organized marketplace, where you can find unique souvenirs, beautiful African print fabrics, and just about anything you can think of. There are all types of second-hand clothing and shoes in very good condition, and tailors abound for any alterations you may need.
Rubaga Cathedral (Saint Mary’s Cathedral) – There are many cathedrals and other places of worship in Kampala, and at least one is always included in visitors’ itinerary of things to do in Kampala. Rubaga Cathedral or Saint Mary’s Cathedral as it’s also known, is located on one of Kampala’s original hills, Lubaga. It’s the base of the Catholic church in Uganda. The Cathedral was built in the early 20th century, on land donated by the King of Buganda to missionaries and a Bishop.