Kampala is the capital city of Uganda, and it has a variety of tourist attractions. Kampala historically hosted a variety of impalas, a species of antelopes. This is where the name Kampala was borrowed, which meant a place of impalas, as the locals called it.
Kampala is a city of seven hills since it was built on seven major hills. These hills include Namirembe, Mengo, Rubaga, Nakasero, Kibuli, Nsambya, and Old Kampala. Those mentioned hills each has its own backgrounds that align with their names. Kampala became the capital city of Uganda in 1962 after Uganda became an independent country. It covers an area of about 189 kilometers.
What can be seen on a Kampala city tour?
Tourist attractions, from historical to religious sites, can be visited on a visit to Kampala. Several other attractions unique to this city, such as the cuisine, can also be interesting to explore. Below are some of these attractions.
Namirembe Cathedral
Namirembe Cathedral is Uganda’s oldest cathedral. It is also known as St. Paul Cathedral, located on Namirembe Hill, part of the seven hills of Kampala city. St. Paul Cathedral Namirembe is an important place that showcases the history of Christianity in Kampala. This is where you find the remains and the grave of Bishop Hannington. He was murdered during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga II in 1885 in Busoga on orders of the Kabaka. This cathedral stands out as a modest worship place depicting history and aligning it with modernity.
Rubaga Cathedral
Rubaga or St. Mary’s Cathedral, as many call it, is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic religion in Uganda. Located on Rubaga Hill, this cathedral is also one of the oldest sites in Kampala. Rubaga Cathedral also shares a unique history of events that shaped Kampala as a city. This cathedral has a sheer size of 248 feet long, capable of accommodating 5,000 people at a time.
Uganda National Museum
Showcasing the historical background of Uganda, the Uganda National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in the country. It is located in the northern part of Kampala, along Kira Road. It is where you find Uganda’s tradition, cultural beauty, and natural beauty. Visiting this museum is like taking a historical trip to the early years of Uganda. This is a place that is free for everyone can get a chance to visit since the museum is ever open from Monday to Saturday.
Baha’i Temple
The Baha’i faith is one of the unique faiths in Africa, and Uganda harbors the only Baha’i temple on the continent. The Baha’i temple is a magnificent structure built in 1957 and opened in 1962. It is the center of the Baha’i faith in the region and in Africa. A visit to the temple provides an opportunity to see the unique structural work of the Baha’i temple. The place also has beautiful compound gardens that provide spaces for picnics, among other outdoor activities.
Gadhafi Mosque
The Gadhafi Mosque, located on the Old Kampala Hill, is a marvel of engineering. This mosque stands out as the biggest mosque not just in the country but in the region. The Gadhafi mosques accommodate over 20,000 Muslims in a single sitting. It opened in 2006 following its completion after years of construction. Its construction was funded by the former president of Libya, Colonel Maummar Gadhafi was over saw its opening in 2007. This scenic structure offers a panoramic view of the city.
The Kasubi tombs
Situated on Kasubi Hill, the Kasubi tombs are an important place, especially to the Baganda people. The Kasubi tombs are the final resting place of several kings of the Buganda Kingdom. And the Baganda have a belief that their kings don’t die, but they just disappear. When you reach the tomb, you will get a chance to see the monuments of the past kings, hunting tools, and royal clothing, among others. These tombs offer visitors a chance to discover the history of Buganda.
Owino Market
This is one of the busiest markets in Uganda, and the largest. Owino market has a variety of goods from fresh foods like fruits and vegetables to garments and other clothing. Owino market is highly populated by traders and buyers since it offers goods at a fair price. It is the best place to interact with the local people. We also have other markets that you shouldn’t miss visiting during your Kampala city tour, Nakasero Market, famous for fresh fruits, and Wandegeya Market for local dishes and barbecue. Wandegeya is close to Makerere University, and Nakasero is also located within the center of Kampala.
Apart from the above attractions, the city also has other attractions that can be seen on your Kampala city tour, and these include Mulago Hospital, Ndere Cultural Center, Makerere University, Independence Monument, and Martyrs’ Shrine in Namugongo, among others.
Where to stay during the Kampala city tour?
Tourists planning to stay in Kampala city have a variety of accommodation facilities. These facilities offer different accommodation options from luxury to midrange and budget. These are some of the hotels where tourists can spend a night in Kampala city: Marriott Skyz Hotel, Kampala Serena, Sheraton Hotel, Forest Cottage, Kabira Country Club, Kampala City Blue Hotel, Emini Pasha Hotel, Imperial Royal Hotel, and many others. These facilities offer a home away from home service to visitors.
What could be the languages are spoken by people in Kampala city?
There are many languages that are spoken by people in Kampala city, and as a tourist, you shouldn’t worry about these languages since a number of people living in the city are literate. Many locals understand English since it is the national language, which makes the city tour easier in terms of communication. And some of the common languages spoken are Luganda, Runyankole, and Kiswahili, among others.
In conclusion, what to see on a Kampala city tour is a question of quality and quantity, as this city offers a variety to choose from. From a history that serves this right to unbelievable sites that bring you closer to the past and predict the future, a Kampala city tour is one to reckon with. Book with us at Monteero Safaris for an insightful expedition of the heartbeat of the Pearl of Africa.