Kampala city tour
Kampala is Uganda’s capital and therefore this makes it a fascinating stop on your Uganda adventure. Ugandans are very hospitable and the city its self-offers a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Ranging from culture, historical monuments and great food. The city has some modern restaurants, hotels and bars, where one can often visit and enjoy spending their leisure time. At night, the city looks spectacular and vibrant. Whether you are on a Uganda safari or an excursion, this city can’t be missed out.
HERE ARE SOME PLACES YOU CAN’T MISS WHILE YOU ARE ON A CITY TOUR.
Kabaka’s Palace and Idi Amin’s Torture Chambers.
This is the historic seat of the Buganda king, located on Mengo hill. Amin built his torture chamber here, which saw the murder of an estimated 300 people, basically anyone stronger or smarter than Amin. You can get a guided tour around the torture chambers which offers a harrowing, but important, insight into Uganda under Amin. Authentic messages of desperation written on the walls in human excrement and blood remain to tell the tale.
- Gadhafi Mosque, Old Kampala
This mosque is found at old Kampala and boasts the best view of all of Kampala from the top of its minaret. The mosque itself is also an impressive building and tourists are allowed to walk around it at will or even taking photos. It is the largest mosque and was built by the late Libyan leader colonel Gadhafi.
Ba’hai Temple
This temple is also found in Kampala city .This is the only one of its kind on the African continent and definitely worth a visit. It is located quite far out of town but also boasts the best green space in the whole of Kampala, with extensive grounds.
- Namirembe Cathedra
This is one of the main draws of tourists in Uganda. This cathedral has great views of Kampala city. This is a perfect place for Protestants looking to worship and meet new friends.
- Lake Victoria
- This is a must visit and known to be the second largest fresh water lake in the world. There are many activities one can do around the shores of Lake Victoria like; taking a boat tour, visiting the Ngamba chimpanzee island, sunset cruise, spending some time at any of the beaches, or a visit to Mabamba wetland for bird watching
- Rubaga Cathedral
This cathedral is located on one of Kampala’s many hills so views are spectacular. Kampala is fabled to have 7 hills and therefore worth a visit for historical reasons. The cathedral also boasts a memorial to the first African Catholic bishop in Uganda martyred for the cause of bringing Catholicism to Uganda and is the current headquarters of the Catholic Church in Uganda.
- The Uganda National Museum
This is found on Kira road and is the biggest and oldest museum in Kampala. It showcases Uganda’s cultural heritage with displays of ethnological and natural-historical exhibits. This place is worth a visit. Despite being an old building in need of a little love, a popular attraction is the old Uganda National Museum, which shows the cultural heritage of the country including exhibits on Uganda’s cultural and natural history. There are also a few different galleries you can enjoy that display paintings, photography, sculptures, and exhibits from many different local artists.
Craft Markets
There are many craft markets that offer some good art crafts. The largest craft market is on Buganda road. It has a good selection of artwork, jewelry, wooden and stone sculptures as well as a small amount of fabrics.
- Ndere Centre
Ndere Center is located in Kisasi, a suburb of Kampala. It is a cultural center where you are able to experience a mixture of all the cultures of Uganda is one boiling pot. The center offers cooking lessons for traditional Ugandan meals, traditional dance classes, and storytelling.
Monuments
Kampala has accumulated several monuments over the years, which showcase local personalities and national achievements. A drive through the city will lead you to at least six monuments with different stories to tell. The Independence Monument is the most prominent in the city.
- Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo
Uganda Martyrs Shrine is located in Namugongo,15 kilometers drive from Kampala central. It serves as a remembrance for the 45 Ugandan martyrs from the Buganda Kingdom who died for their faith. The shrine offers the opportunity to learn about the history of Christianity in Uganda.
- Local restaurants
Ugandans have different types of dishes and they love their food. Each Ugandan tribe has their own unique dishes or at least a unique way of preparing the food. Kampala is the cultural melting point for these special meals. Visit a local restaurant and enjoy the different Ugandan foods on the menu and am sure you will enjoy these delicious meal.
