Once forming the heart of the Buganda Kingdom, from which modern independent Uganda takes its name, Kampala remains at the center of Uganda’s political, cultural, and economic life. The national capital and largest city, the origins of Kampala lie across seven hills, including Kampala Hill or ‘the hill of the impala.’ Also now known as Old Kampala, the hill remains a focus of city life, being the location of several important sites including Fort Lugard, where the British flag was raised in 1890 to denote the region’s colonization.
Close to a century and a half later, Kampala has been ranked the top city to live in East Africa on more than one occasion in recent years. The shining glass and steel of its central business district still take many first-time visitors by surprise, while its verdant suburbs give an indication of the rich natural wonders beyond.
Although often only used as a launch point for travels to the country’s impressive list of national parks, including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Lake Mburo, Kampala has a number of attractions worth exploring. Chief among them is the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose large wood and thatch circular huts mark the final resting place of four kabakas, or kings of Buganda.
The palace of the kabakas, whose position was abolished in 1966 but reinstated in 1993, can be explored on a guided tour that also takes in a small collection of historic artefacts and torture chambers which thankfully haven’t seen any use for decades.
The oldest museum in East Africa, the Uganda Museum expands on the collections of the Kabaka Palace, with displays of archeological discoveries, cultural exhibits including weaponry and musical instruments, and natural history collections. A cultural village in the grounds details the traditional lifestyles of Uganda’s different tribes, while the separate Ndere Cultural Center brings it all to life with regular traditional dance performances.
Top Uganda Travel Destinations
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park / Kampala / Kibale National Park / Lake Mburo National Park / Murchison Falls National Park / Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Big Five
African Elephant / Cape Buffalo / Leopard / Lion / Rhino
