WHAT TO SEE:

RELIGIOUS CENTERS

Namugongo Martyr's Shrine
The site was established in remembrance of the massacre that took place on 3rd June 1886 on the orders of the then chaotic Kabaka Mwanga fulfilled by Mukajanga when the martyrs failed to renounce their adopted faith. It is situated about 15 km from Kampala city center along Jinja road.

Attractions at the site include the conical metallic domed style church supported by 22 copper pillars each representing a Martyr and housing a jaw born for Charles Lwanga the then leader of the catholic contingent. The 1000 seat Basilica arranged in a circular form is Closed with wooden doors depicting the history of the martyrs, the grass thatched pavilion supported by 4 (four) pillars on the martyr’s lake island is an ideal place to view the 15 acres compound of the site. Martyrs lake where pilgrims often drawn water believed to healing various diseases and used for blessing.

Namirembe Cathedral
The Anglican church of Uganda seats at the top of Namirembe hill was first built in the Buganda artisan style in1903 and of present the red brick structure is built to vast dimensions and graced by attractive stained glass windows was completed in1919. The Cathedral is roughly 1.5km off Natete -Wakariga road west of the Kampala city.

Activities at the Cathedral include sightseeing as the hill offers superb views of Kmpala City and the surrounding suburbs, spiritual prying, conferencing, hill walking, wedding and party gatherings the cemetery graves of Bishop Hannington and Sir Albert Cook and brass memorial plaques on the walls testify the lives of the European explorers.

Rubaga Cathedral
On the land donated to the Catholics by Ssekabaka Mwanga South west of Kampala city 500m off Natete –Wakaliga road seats the huge Roman Catholic Church Rubaga Cathedral. At the church there are 2 restaurants, a missionary Rubaga Hospital bookshop, police station and accommodation facility.

The unique architectural designed church houses the remains of the first African Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka, paintings Sculptures of the White fathers, brothers and the Holy Mary the two bell tower and the tombs all may be of the interest of the Tourists supplemented by the holly masses organized on regular basis, religious meetings and shopping of religious materials.

Kibuli Mosque
A spot where Uganda’s first Islamic visitors settled marks Kibuli Mosque in a cluster of white minarets and palm trees. Kibuli provides a superb view of Kampala city center, in the south of the hill is Muyenga tank hill with its mushrooming home and the beacon for the night spots of Kabalagala and Ggaba Road at its base. Activities at the site include holly praying, sports recreation, and hill walking for sight viewing.

Bahai Temple
The Bahai house of worship is the central building dedicated to the social, humanitarian, educational, scientific as well as the spiritual aspects of Bahai community life is the only place of worship of its kind in Uganda and Africa as a continent. The unique and beautiful spiritual home to the continent’s Bahai faith is situated in the crest of Kikaya Village four miles from the centre of Kampala on Gayaza road opened to the public in1961. The 800 seating capacity building is 124 feet high and 44 feet in diameter with a circular verandah where one can gain entry to the house of warship using the 9 doors.

The green dome is made of tiny glazed mosaic tiles from Italy while the lower roof tiles are from Belgium and walls are precuts from stone quarried from Uganda. The reinforcing steel and windows frames and fittings are from Britain, West Germany supplied the colored glass timber for doors and benches are from Uganda. The exquisite carpeting is of Russian make.

Besides its uniqueness and beautifulness, visitors visit the temple to view the designed graves self relaxation in the green and clean environment, sightseeing, meetings and partying but religious reasons matter a lot for any kind of visitation for the sites protection and conservation.

Old Kampala Mosque
Rising gently west of the city center after new tax park is Old Kampala hill. The gentle walk take about 5-10 minute to reach the original Fort and Capital founded by Captain Lugard in the 1890s doted with a few fine colonial era buildings of the Asian design and the new Old Kampala Mosque initiated by Idi Amin in the 1970s completed by the late Libyan leader Colonel Gadaffi.

Indian Temple
Close to Nakasero market is the Indian temple, the sandstone building was made without the use of a 
single nail, adorned with ornaments and symbols. The thousands of fairy lights during night, the unique architecture, the paintings and sculptures, symbols and signs, events and other Indian religious festivals. It is commonly known for the Indians who are Hindustanis.

National Museums of Uganda
On Kiira road about 2km from the city centre is Uganda National Museum the oldest in East Africa and the perhaps best. As a tool for cultural pluralism, national development, and democracy and for the public education (international council of Museum 1991), the Uganda Museum is existing on themes of art and craft, technology, archeology, history, ethnology, natural history and industry.

At “Enyumba ya Mayembe” house of Fetishes initially known by the locals, visitors are exposed to the independence pavilion of science and industry, the stone age room, the gallery of traditional music instruments, the temporary exhibition room, the history and the iron age display traditional life gallery and the natural history centre and paleontology gallery.

The services provided at the Uganda Museum include education, recreation, selling at curio shops, canteen, and craft shops with facilities for laboratory research, education hall, party hall and conferences and the Uganda society library which has comprehensive collection of published works relating to Uganda.

Uganda National Theatre
The Uganda National Cultural Centre whose official acronym is UNCC, is a Ugandan statutory body that was established on the 8th October 1959 by the Uganda National Cultural Centre Act, a 1959 Act of Parliament (amended 1965). The Uganda National Cultural Centre, a semi-autonomous body was then officially inaugurated on 2nd December 1959. The Auditorium hosts performances, conferences, public lectures. Cinema shows and workshops. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 377 people, and in built lighting system, audio and sound system and a video projection system. It has a large stage that befits professional performances.

The National Theater has always been the primary cultural venue in Kampala since the inception of Uganda as an independent African nation. The history of the National Theatre has born out the rise and fall of cultural interest and development in the country as well as the different approaches and styles of leadership on the part of its various directors. In spite of the countless challenges that this space has endured through the ages, for the independent producers and for festivals the National Theater still seems the only viable choice.

Makerere University
The oldest and main camps of Uganda founded in 1922 lies about 1km North of the city centre off Bombo road on Wandegeya traffic lights. Interesting places to see are, the University library with the African section while the campus book stocks local interesting academic works, the faculty of MDD full of worthy hearing music sounds on a busy day, the Whitewashed Main building hall with its handsome bell tower, the faculty of fine art gallery, the Zoology museum, the spacious green environment with the different architectural halls, faculties and the common marabou stalk. Ascending to the top of the hill is the mighty water tank.

The oldest and main camps of Uganda founded in 1922 lies about 1km North of the city centre off Bombo road on Wandegeya traffic lights. Interesting places to see are, the University library with the African section while the campus book stocks local interesting academic works, the faculty of MDD full of worthy hearing music sounds on a busy day, the Whitewashed Main building hall with its handsome bell tower, the faculty of fine art gallery, the Zoology museum, the spacious green environment with the different architectural halls, faculties and the common marabou stalk. Ascending to the top of the hill is the mighty water tank.

The Clock Tower
Known as Queen’s clock commemorates the time when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II came to Uganda in 1954. At the site you might have an opportunity to associate with the officers on duty controlling the busy clock tower traffic jam.

Independence Monument
This sculpture of a lady holding a baby represents the independence of Uganda of October 9th 1962. It was made by Gregory Maloba and stands in the heart of Kampala the capital of Uganda near Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

The Kabaka's Lake
The biggest man-made lake in Uganda was constructed on the orders of SSekabaka Mwanga before he was exiled. The lake was constructed to be used as an escape route to Lake Victoria via Munyonyo. Due to heavy rains, the lake has grown larger than its original size.

The lake is used for ritual performances and for coronation day. The lake is a great place for bird watching, swimming, going on boat rides, or resting. Restaurant and conference services are available at Pope Paul Memorial Community Centre off Nabunya road in Ndeba, and the lake is about 200m away.

The Bulange Building
On the south side of Natete on Wakaliga road, 500m past the turn off to Namirembe, is the traditional seat of Buganda Parliament, one of the impressive colonial era buildings in Uganda. The Bulange building’s roof is capped with trio of spires and the CBS radio, and the main entrance situated on a tree-lined avenue known as the “Kabaka njagala,” which means “the king is coming.”

About 200m downhill from the Bulange building are two exotic giant tortoises that live around the gardens of an impressive old building of one of King Chwa’s regents, Stanley Kisingiri.

Ssaabasajja Kabaka has branded "Masengere" as the new name for Bulange Plaza building. The name was delivered to Katikkiro who has announced to the public this good news at Bulange gardens, Mengo.

For several years the building has been easily called Bulange Plaza though the purpose of its establishment by Idi Amin Dada as a military base did not work due to political instabilities which the country exhibited at that time.

Kabaka's Trial
The Kabaka’s Trail is a unique journey through Buganda’s rich heritage. The tail gives you a chance to learn about the hidden and forgotten history of Buganda, as well as to experience an authentic, tradition culture flavored by the dances, music, craft making, spiritual healing, storytelling and sightseeing.

The trail links a series of cultural site, all of which are within and easy reach of Kampala areas. The unforgettable experience attractions include Naggalabi Buddo Coronation site the very heart of Kingdom, Katereke Prison where the earth speaks of betrayal and murder, Wamala King’s Tombs a place of ritual and ceremony, Nnamasole Kanyange Tombs linking mother and son forever, Ssezibwa Falls beauty and healing in harmony, Nnamasole Baagalayaze tombs and Cultural centre a place of hope, celebration and learning and the great Kasubi tombs linked with the Kabaka’s lake and the Bulange Building.

Wamala Tombs
Situated about 12km Northwest of central Kampala on Hoima road, taking about 1.5km on a dirty track at Nansana is the magical but forgotten place, simply quite a unique, set on a hilltop in beautiful surroundings, is the sacred burial place of the powerful and despotic ruler with a fierce some reputation for punishment Ssekabaka Suuna.

Inside the tomb house visitors make offerings to the dead King, ancient spears and shields surround the central platform and back cloth screen hiding the mythical eternal forest, the array of the royal artifacts drums, and other musical instruments. The tombs are used for ritual ceremonies involving the dead king’s umbilical chord, his jawbone and other magical objects.

Nnamsole Kanyange Tombs
Termed as the link mother and son forever on the hill top opposite Wamala tombs is the most revered woman in Suuna’s Royal court his mother Nnamasole Kanyange before dying she appointed a new Nnamasore.

The tombs are an important place for ritual ceremonies and contain the drum for calling the Suuna’s spirit. An historical walk to the impressive Wamala tombs retraces the steps that Kanyange and Suuna followed to visit each other.

Craft Centers and Galleries
Wish to glance through generous unique and amusing souvenirs rooted from the rich cultures, made from Ugandans or imported from the neighboring countries, with hours of sheer viewing pleasure. Craft village behind and at the National Theater De Winton Road and Buganada road Women’s Craft Market, are the place to visit around Kampala. You can find almost anything made in Uganda at the National theatre crafts market from mats, bracelets, artifacts, beads bangle, and African chairs to mention.

Accommodation in Kampala
The number of hotels in Uganda has grown enormously in recent years, Kampala holding the largest number. Two-five star luxurious category, which caters primarily to international leisure, business travelers. In Kampala on upmarket hotels you may choose from Sheraton Kampala hotel, Kampala Serena Hotel, Imperial Royale Hotel, Emin Pasha Hotel, Golf Course Hotel, Grand Imperial Hotel, Protea Hotel. If cost is not a major constrain for standard accommodation expected a home away from home for a double room self contained with hot water, fan, room service, internet and DSTV expect the booking price to be in brackets of $120 and above for bed and brake fast.

Moderate accommodations are mostly not classified up markets hotel but are expensive and are sufficiently of high standard to budget. Charge between $50-$120 some may go above for a double room self contained with hot water, fan, room service and possibly DSTV inclusive of bed and brake fast. The affordable hotels in this category include Hotel African, Speke Hotel, Shangri la Hotel, and Fang Fang Hotel Diplomate.

Budgetary accommodations are generally large at the local market. Definitely they do not approaching the international standard but reasonably clean, comfortable rooms with en-suite facilities, running water, fan, and good mosquito nets and room rates range between $10-$40 some may go above for a double the following fallow in this cartegory; Amponye Hotel, Pacific Hotel, Fairway Hotel, Hotel City Square, Tourist Hotel.

Shoestring category dominates guest houses accommodating with accost of around $5-$10 or a little more for a double sharing bath rooms, toilets, with a reception and with a restaurant

There have been a great number of organized campsites in Uganda and that now there are very few established tourist centers where you cannot pitch a tent in a guarden site with good facilities. Camping costs around $5-$10 per night and in Kampala the facility can be received from Red Chilli Hideaway, and Backpackers.]