Kampala City | Capital City of Uganda
Kampala city is the Capital of Uganda and the largest city in Uganda. The city has an estimation of 1,680,800 people who are divided into the Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, Rubaga Division, and Kampala Central Division.
Kampala Metropolitan area consists of the proper neighboring towns like Mukono District, Wakiso District, Buikwe District, Mpigi District, and Luwero District.
The growing population is estimated at 6,709,900 people. The original Kampala is referred to us on present-day Old Kampala hill and this is where Fort Lugard was formerly located. Before the construction of the city, this hill was a hunting reserve of the Kabaka king of Buganda who used to hunt for antelopes. And thus they named it the ‘hills of Impala’ as Akasozi ke’Empala, the word was shortened to K’empala and then Kampala. The word Kasozi means hill, ke which means of, and empala which is the plural form of “impala”.
This numerous hills and swamps are known as Kampala which is a core centralized Buganda Kingdom.
In the year of 1962 October 9th, Kampala gained its city name status. In the year of 2010 Kampala capital city Authority act was enacted giving the government of Uganda more control of administration of Kampala city.
Kampala capital city covers an area of 189sq.km; comprising 170sq.km of land 13sq.km of water bodies. The city has hills and valleys that are filled with swamps and rivers.
The highest point is in Kololo hill which is the highest center of the city and the lowest at shores of Lake Victoria south of the centre.
Other hills include:
Kasubi Tombs, the hills were built on seven hills; however, it has expanded to more than 7 hills which also attracts tourism.
Old Kampala hill is located where Fort Lugard was located this was the first seat of the British colonialism in Uganda.
Mengo hill this was the former Kibuga(city) of Buganda Kingdom during the British Colonial rule.
Kibuli hill is the third where Kibuli Mosque.
Namirembe hill is home to the Anglican faction of Buganda religious wars of 1888 to 1892; it’s the site for Namirembe Anglican cathedral.
Lubaga hill is where Rubaga catholic cathedral is built.
Nsambya Hill is the sixth hill site the former cathedral of St Peter’s Nsambya and the location of the British Catholic Mill Hill Mission this was during the 1900 Buganda Agreement.
The seventh hill is Nakasero hill whose summit is Fort Nakasero a British Military was installed after relocating from Fort Lugard from Old Kampala.
Other Tourist attractions include
Kampala capital city of Uganda has most of the incredible sights for tourism including Architecture, Culture, Monument, Historical site, places of worship, Market and many more.
Bahai House of Worship in Kampala, St. Paul Anglican Cathedral on Namirembe Hill, Rubaga Cathedral the Roman Catholic Church. Bahai house of worship is commonly called Mother Temple of Africa it’s located in situated on Kikyaya hill on the outskirts of Kampala. Bahai Temple is one of the amazing tourist attractions which is situated on the Kikaya hill just 7km from the heart of the city on Kampala Gayaza road. Bahai is recorded as the only temple of the Bahai faith of Africa. The temple is recorded as the main attraction for most followers of the Bahai faith from all corners of the world.
Uganda National Museum, it’s a 3km along Kiira road from the city centre of Uganda. The park is the oldest in East Africa. The Museum is a natural historical site with Musical instruments, archaeological and many more.
Kasubi Tombs are located 5km along the kampala Hoima road, it’s the burial ground for Kings from the local Buganda Kingdom. There about four Kings that have been buried in this place including Mutesa 1 who was King from 1856 to 1884, Chwa Daudi from 1899 to 1939,Mutesa 11 ruled from 1939 to 1966 and Kabaka Mwanga from the year of 1884 to 1897. It’s the main burial tomb and the biggest in Africa the rest are used in order to adjacent the tombs as resident places to care for the houses and Kingdom royal.
Uganda Martyrs shrine-Namugongo, the shrines are located along the Kampala-Jinja highway it is believed to be Namugongo, 32 young Christian converts which is were the martyrs.
Rubaga Cathedral, its located on the Rubaga hill which is 5 Kilometers in the North-west of the city center,the cathedral is the cardinal of the Roman Catholic church in Uganda. Rubaga hill is a former Mutesa 1 which was donated to Bishop Hirth by his successor Mwanga in the year of 1889.
Namirembe Cathedral is found at the Namirembe Hill this adjacent to Rubaga Hill. The hill is the main seat for the Archbishop of the Anglican Church.
Ndere Cultural Centre is located in Kisasi town it’s known as the best area to promote Uganda’s culture expressions through music, dance, and drama. The Name Ndere is derived from a local word ‘endere’ which means “Flute” this is one of the instruments which is found in most cultures of Uganda. Ndere troupe is one of the famous troupes of dance, Music, and drama which perform every week at night.
Kibuli Mosque is one of the biggest mosques of Uganda with amazing beautiful views in Kampala, It’s regarded as a home to the Muslims.
Gaddafi National Mosque the park is a National Mosque which is situated at Kampala Hill in old Kampala; it was completed in the year of 2006, seats over 5,000 worshipers with 1000 people in the gallery. The mosque is a tourist attraction to a number of clients.
Independence Monument is located near the speak road in the city Suburb, this monument was funded by the British colonial government this was intemperance of the day Uganda was led to independence in the year of 1962 October 9th.There a number of tourists who visit the Monument on a daily basis.
Lubiri Palace is a tourist attraction as well as a royal compound of Kabaka or king of Buganda which is located in Mengo.
Kabaka’s Lake one of the attractions in Kampala it’s a manmade lake in the country, its located in the township of Ndeeba which is close to 5m from the city centre in the west on Kampala-Masaka Road. It was dug under orders of the previous King Mwanga of Buganda Kingdom.
Owino Market is one of the busiest local markets in Kampala, it is located along with Nakivubo stadium around the taxi park, and the market is more popular for the second-hand clothes from Asia, USA, and Europe.
Nakasero Market is located at the slopes of Nakasero hill. They sell a variety of textiles, shoes, fresh food, electronics and many more.
Kampala city is amazing one with great tourist attractions to encounter during your stay.
