MAJOR TOURIST SITES IN KAMPALA

Thursday, 14 August, 2025

MAJOR TOURIST SITES IN KAMPALA


Uganda's commercial and national capital, Kampala, is located next to Africa's largest lake, Lake
Victoria. An urban hub of modern skyscrapers is surrounded by hills filled with trees and red-tile
residences. Through a vast collection of relics, the Uganda Museum in this downtown
neighbourhood examines the nation's tribal origins.


Cultural sights like the Kasubi Tombs and Kabaka's Palace, religious monuments like the Uganda
National Mosque and Namirembe Cathedral, and natural features like Lake Victoria and the
Source of the Nile are just a few of Kampala's many tourist attractions. The Uganda Museum,
the Ndere Cultural Centre, and other markets like Owino and Nakasero are also open to visitors.

 

OVERVIEW
It is the nation's most visited tourist destination. To thoroughly enjoy everything Kampala has to
offer, we advise you to stay for at least six days.


Uganda Museum

Uganda Museum


This is the best place to go if you are only in Kampala for a few hours. This modest museum's
exhibits, antiques, and educational guides will astound you with Uganda's rich cultural
legacy.Established in 1908, the Uganda Museum is the oldest museum in East Africa.


Originally situated in Lugard's fort on old Kampala Hill, it later moved to the faculty of industrial
and fine arts at Makerere University before settling on Kitante Hill, where it is now. When
Governor George Wilson demanded "all articles of interest in Uganda," it became apparent.


Archaeology, history, science, natural history, and a variety of musical instruments are all part of
the museum's collection of traditional Ugandan culture and music.

 

Local Food
Matooke (steamed banana), a beef stew, beans, and groundnut sauce are the main components
of a Ugandan buffet lunch. Overflow your plate with yam, cassava, sweet potato, and rice. Try
popular street foods like luwombo steamed, muchomo roasted beef, and rolex (omelette rolled
in a chapati). Sweet pineapples, an abundance of bananas, mangos, papayas, guavas,
passionfruits, watermelons, and sugarcane are among the tropical fruits that Uganda is known
for.

 

Kasubi Tombs

Discover the magnificent traditional hut and get to know the descendants of the Buganda
Kingdom's long-gone Kabakas (kings). On-site guides are available to greet you, and reservations
are not required in advance. Did you know that trees can be used to manufacture cloth?
Participate in a cultural dance, see the age-old craft of barkcloth production, and learn how to
play omweso on Buganda's Experiential Trail. The royal family members use the 26 hectares of
land that make up the Kasubi tombs, a world heritage site, for agricultural purposes utilising
ancient methods.


For both domestic and foreign tourists, the Kasubi tombs—the resting place of the Kings of
Buganda—remain an important traditional architectural, spiritual, cultural, and political
landmark. As you study the history and culture of the Buganda Kingdom's kings during your
Kampala city tour, one of the most fascinating and popular destinations nowadays is the Kasubi
mausoleum.

 

Namugongo and the Uganda Martyrs

Namugongo and the Uganda Martyrs


Did you know that hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gather in Namugongo each year in June?
At Namugongo, a contemporary site of pilgrimage and commemoration, people trek from far-
flung regions of East Africa to honour the 22 Ugandan Christians who were put to death for their
religion in 1886. The Uganda Martyrs' Day is a public holiday on June 3. Discover the
heartbreaking yet inspirational tales of these courageous people by visiting the Uganda Martyrs'
Museum.

 

The Gaddafi Mosque
Climb the minaret for sweeping views of Kampala and take in the magnificence of the greatest
mosque in East Africa's architecture. Visitors who are female will be requested to cover their
heads.The old Kampala hill in the heart of Kampala, Uganda, is home to Kampala Centrals
Mosque, originally known as Gaddafi National Mosque. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya gave
it to the Muslim community in Uganda as a gift. The mosque was finished in 2006 and can hold
up to 15,000 worshippers. There are further 1,100 seats available in the gallery and 3,500 seats
on the terrace.


After construction was finished, it was formally opened in June 2007 and was known as the
Gaddafi National Mosque until 2013, when Colonel Muammar Gaddafi passed away and it was
renamed the Uganda National Mosque. This resulted from the new Libyan government's
reluctance to restore this mosque. One of the Top 11 Tourist Destinations to See on a Kampala
City Tour is this mosque.

 

The Bahai Temple

The Bahai Temple


Set on a hilltop in spacious natural gardens to the north of the city, this architectural landmark
building can be seen from all over Kampala. It’s a serene spot and the first Baha’i House of
Worship in Africa.


The Bahai Temple is located outside of the bustling Kampala city centre in a fairly peaceful area.
With over 1000 adherents, Uganda boasts nine more Baha'i worship centres spread throughout
the nation in addition to the main Temple. Out of the eight countries in the world with Baha'i
temples, Uganda is the only one in Africa. Panama, Germany, the United States, Chile, India,
Australia, and Samoa are the other seven nations.

 

Nakasero Market


Situated at the base of Nakasero Hill in the centre of Kampala, it is one of the city's most well-
known and expansive marketplaces, only 50 meters from Entebbe Road. It was established in
1895 after the King of Buganda received advice to open the palace's first marketplace. 

 

Ten years later, when the market's temporary construction was completed, it was transferred to
Kagugube, which is now between Sir Apollo Kagwa Road and Gaddafi Road. Finally, it was
moved to its current location on Nakasero Hill.


The market was separated into two sections. Fresh produce is purchased in the first section,
which is the open section that is temporarily covered. Hardware, clothing and other tourist-
related goods are sold in the confined section depicted by the old structure.

 

Ndere Cultural Centre
According to a 2019 United Nations research, Uganda, dubbed the gem of Africa, has the
greatest cultural diversity in the world. In order to promote cultural activities in Uganda, the
Ndere Cultural Centre was established in 1986. These activities include storytelling, poetry,
music, dance, and performing arts, all of which have been transformed into joy and love during
this amazing show.


Although English and Kiswahili are the official languages spoken by the majority of people, the
Ndere Centre and its troupes currently represent over 60 ethnic groups and over 30 indigenous
languages, which summarise Ugandan culture and tribes.


Every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 7:00 p.m., Ndere troupes play at the Ndere Centre,
offering a chance to enjoy and witness the music and dance of the Ugandan tribes.

 

Namirembe Cathedral

Namirembe Cathedral


Since March 1890, this cathedral on Namirembe Hill has been Uganda's oldest. Another name
for it is Saint Paul's Cathedral Namirembe, which is the diocesan cathedral for the Namirembe
Diocese and the provincial cathedral of the Church of Uganda. The Ugandan church was
relocated to All Saints Church in Nakasero before being returned to its current location on


Namirembe Hill.
The Ugandan church has undergone multiple constructions, and the fifth building, which can
currently house over 10,000 people, is located on Namirembe Hill. Due to a number of factors,
including a swampy location, strong winds, termites, and fire, it has been built five times.
All types of guests are welcome, and during your Uganda safari, your guide will show you
around this fascinating cathedral and its museum so you may see and learn about its history.

 

Independence Monument


The British Colonial administration provided funding for the construction of the independence
monument, which was completed on October 9, 1962, when Uganda celebrated its first
independence. 

The monument is situated downtown Kampala on Speke Road and Nile Avenue,
across from Standard Chartered Bank and next to the Sheraton Hotel gardens' railings. It also
has a view of the Grand Imperial Hotel to the right. On a Kampala city tour, this is among the
top 11 tourist destinations.


In order to symbolise Uganda's liberation from colonial rule, the monument depicts a man
unwrapping a kid and lifting it into the air.
You will need a camera to capture the breathtaking views of this monument and the
surrounding area. Remember to ask your driving guide to take you to the most popular and
easily accessible destination in Kampala.

 

Owino Market
Believe me, I have seen a lot of local markets after travelling to more than 120 countries. But
one of the greatest places to visit in Kampala is the Owino Market, which is on a whole other
level.


Located in Kampala's downtown, this multipurpose market is utterly hectic. Over 20,000 people
visit Owino Market every day, making it one of Uganda's biggest marketplaces. Beautiful fabrics
with African prints, used clothing, shoes, bags, food, electronics, vegetables, herbs,
pharmaceuticals, and anything else you can think of are its main attractions.

 

In honour of one of the nation's martyrs who was slain in the region in the 1880s under Kabaka
Mwanga's command, the government renamed this market St. Balikuddembe Market. Still,
everyone can't get the name Owino out of their heads.


Here, you can also purchase souvenirs at local rates. Prices increase when they encounter a
Mzungu, so be prepared to haggle! Even so, I had a great time buying here, and it's a much
cheaper way to get some amazing goods from Uganda. There are many impressions and so
much to see.

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT KAMPALA CITY
The two dry seasons that Kampala sees are the longer one, which lasts from June to August, and
the shorter one, which lasts from December to February.


Pleasant Weather: These periods are perfect for sightseeing, nature excursions, and other
outdoor pursuits because they are typically warm, sunny, and have less precipitation.


Outdoor Activities: The greatest times to visit national parks, see cultural landmarks, or engage
in water sports on Lake Victoria are during the dry seasons.

 

CONCLUSION
Uganda's capital, Kampala, provides visitors with a variety of historical, cultural, and natural
attractions. The Gaddafi National Mosque, Kabaka's Palace, Kasubi Tombs, and the Baha'i
Temple are important locations. Opportunities for fishing, cruises, and visits to neighbouring
islands, such as the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, are offered by Lake Victoria with
Ossicones Safaris.


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By Kalibbala Arnold


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