Kampala city tour also known as the “Green City in the Sun or City of the 7 hills” Kampala is the commercial capital and largest city of Uganda located on the north shores of Lake Victoria. Kampala city is ranked as the best and easiest city to live in East Africa and one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with affordable standards of living and friendly people.
The bustling city that never sleeps is a gem of its own and makes a good introduction to Uganda with several worthy attractions to keep you occupied for a few days; no wonder most tour operators include a Kampala city tour as a priority in their Uganda safari packages. In case you doubt why you should visit Kampala, well…… doubt no more. Take a seat, buckle up and let us give you a virtual insight in to this piece of jewel in the rough.
Brief history of Kampala City Tour
Kampala city got its name from a Luganda word “Akasozi k’empala” meaning the a hill of impalas which then morphed into the word Kampala.
As the heartland of the Buganda kingdom, Kampala was built on 7 major hills although they are currently more than the previous 7hills. Each with a rich and colorful history, visible in several fascinating palaces and compounds from where the nation was run until the arrival of colonialism.
Old Kampala hill known for being the first military base established in 1890 by Captain Fredrick Lugard. Also home to the Gaddafi Mosque or Old Kampala mosque.
Mengo hill was formally the kibuga (capital) of Buganda kingdom during the British Colonial rule and it acted as an administrative center where all decisions regarding the welfare of the kingdom where made.
Namirembe hill site of Namirembe Anglican Cathedral and home to Anglicans (wangeleza). Also the Buganda religious wars of 1888-1892 where fought on this hill.
Rubaga hill site of the Rubaga Catholic Cathedral and formally home for the white fathers catholic.
Nsambya hill site for the cathedral of St peters nsambya and one of the7 hills on which the city was built, allocated to the British catholic mill hill mission during the signing of 1900 Buganda agreement.
Nakasero hill also known as fort Nakasero was formally a military base built following the British relocation from fort Lugard in old Kampala.
Kibuli hill home for the biggest and oldest mosque in Uganda kibuli mosque.
However Kampala has more hills apart from the above mentioned 7 original and these include the Makerere hill, Mulago hill, Naguru hill and many more.
Topography of Kampala city
The City of Kampala covers a total area of 189 km2, comprising 176 km2 of land and 13 km2 of water with its highest point as the kololo hill at 1,311 meters and the lowest point at the shores of Lake Victoria standing at an altitude of 1135 meters above sea level. It is also a hilly place with valleys, swamps and lush green hills.
Kampala city climate – Kampala City Tour
Guests should note that Kampala experiences 2 wet seasons from August-December and from February-June. It also has no defined dry season given that it experience tropical rainforest climate, however months of July and January are usually hot.
Top sights in Kampala
Kampala has amazing places to visit, teaming up with the rich culture and friendly people. The city offers a wide range of experiences to the tourists who take time to explore it and here are the top places to visit on a Kampala tour.
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Uganda National Museum – Kampala City Tour
The Uganda museum currently sits at kitante hill, along kira road and it is the oldest museum in East Africa with a lot of cultural heritage, archaeology, Ugandan music, natural history and some religious artifacts that tell the history of Uganda. Started in 1908, the Uganda museum is the most popular destination for tourists taking a city tour.
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Kasubi Tombs
The Kasubi tombs are situated 5kms away from the city center on kasubi hill along masiro road. It holds the royal regalia of the Buganda kingdom and serves as burial grounds for 4 of the kings of Buganda. The tombs were recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site of local and international importance in Africa in December 2001 due to its remarkable and unique buildings. However the buildings were partially destroyed by the fire that occurred in March 2010 but reconstruction work was started again in 2014 to restore the site back to its former glory and this was funded by the government of Japan.
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Kabaka’s Palace
Also known as Lubiri or Mengo palace was built in 1885 and sits on Mengo hill road along Lubiri area and it is the official historic residence of the king of Buganda. Although this palace’s facade has been restored, visiting this place is referred to as dark tourism because of its subterranean storage tunnels that were used to incarcerate and torture political prisoners by Idi Amin.
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Uganda Martyrs Shrine
Located in Namugongo, 15kms away from the city center, the Uganda martyrs shrine is a religious and cultural base that marks the spot where Kabaka Mwanga II ordered the execution of 22 Catholics who refused to denounce their faith including church leader Charles Lwanga who was burnt alive and others on 3rd June 1886 which is now celebrated as Martyrs day.
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The Baha’i Temple
This majestic piece of art is located on kikaya hill 7kms on gayaza road. The Baha’i temple was built in 1958 and the only Baha’i Temple in Africa. Visitors touring the temple have the opportunity to do birding and see unique architectural work of the temple and the serene gardens suitable for weeding’s and other functions.
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Gadhafi Mosque
One of Kampala’s premier sights also known as Uganda National Mosque is located on Kampala hill and it is the oldest and biggest Mosque in East Africa, given as a gift to the Muslim community by the Late Colonel Muammar Gadhafi former president of Libya. The hour long tour allows you to scale its soaring minaret for the best views of Kampala city. Visitors are supposed to wear descent or Muslim clothes while visiting this reglious site.
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Rubaga Cathedral
Located on rubaga hill, Saint Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga is a twin towered Roman Catholic cathedral with a memorial to the Uganda martyrs and a seat to the cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda.
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Namirembe Cathedral – Kampala City Tour
St Paul’s cathedral Namirembe is the oldest cathedral in Uganda located at Namirembe hill. This huge domed Anglican cathedral was built in 1890 to serve as a provincial cathedral for the Anglican church of Uganda and the diocesan cathedral for Namirembe diocese.
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Ndere Centre – Kampala City Tour
Come experience Ugandan culture from the traditional dances to the traditional food not to mention the local traditional welcome drink. This place is a must visit when you are in Kampala. The Ndere cultural Center is located in Bukoto, a Kampala suburb
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Independence Monument
The independence monument is located on Speke road and Nile Avenue in Kampala city, constructed during the days Uganda got its independence from the British colonialism on 9th October 1962.it is a symbol of Ugandan history and cultural heritage and it’s never a miss on your Kampala city tour
Apart from these top 10 places to visit on your Kampala tour .visit Uganda and explore more of this vibrant city.