Top ten things to do in Kampala, Uganda
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
The best day thing to do in Kampala by road or by walking: markets, lake, palace & te
Kampala is the heart of Uganda but to truly experience the country’s diverse beauty and history, explore this colourful city on one of the guided waking or vehicle tour .
Enjoy easy day trips in Kampala with Uganda’s reputable tour company - Responsible Tourism Company and explore remarkable Uganda, vibrant city, and friendly hospitable people.
Start planning your Uganda vacation with our list of the best day trips from Kampala by Responsible Tourism Company.
- Baha'i Temple
There are Baha'i Houses of Worships all around the world, at least one in every continent. The only Baha'i Temple in Africa is located in Kampala, Uganda.
If you had previously visited the Baha'i House in other parts of the world, you might be excited to see the temple in Uganda.
The Bahai religion is quite new and a mixture of nine religions throughout the world. Every Baha'i temple also has nine entrances and a central dome. Climbing up the hill to the temple, you'll get a beautiful view of the city of Kampala.
2. Kasubi Tombs
The Kasubi Tombs is a site of the burial grounds for former kings of the Buganda Kingdom and some members of a special warrior tribe. This place is an important spiritual and political site, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. In 2010, some of the major buildings there were almost completely destroyed by a fire.
3. Owino Market
The biggest market in East Africa where you get lost easily, but it's a nice visit and interesting to see what people sell there. You can find for example clothes, fruits, vegetables and electronics. Be ready to bargain a lot and don't bring any valuables with you.
4. Lubiri Palace
Lubiri Palace is the former royal compound of the kings/presidents/dictators of Uganda. It's a great place to take a tour and learn more about the history of the country.
Bonus: Buganda Bulange, Buganda’s Parliament
Just halfway between the royal palace (Lubiri Palace) and the parliament (Buganda Bulange, Buganda’s Parliament) is an interesting round-about where only the Kabaka is allowed to drive through.
This round-about is not a mere ordinary place but a place highly respected with significant symbols of different meanings in the Buganda kingdom.
The Kabaka’s round-about has a special cleaner to keep it clean, a gate that is always kept locked with a guard on a stand-by to open when the Kabaka is nearing to go through it and close after. With this arrangement of the Kabaka passing straight through the round-about, he attained a name “Lukoma Nantawetwa” meaning “the king does not go around the round-about”.
5. Idi Amin's Torture Chambers
Just next to the Lubiri palace are located prison chambers which were built by Idi Amin, Uganda's former dictator.
The chambers didn't have any bars, so the prisoners thought there was an escape route.
However, the chambers were on a higher level than the hallway, so it created a ditch which was flooded with water and electrified. Once the prisoners tried to enter the water and swim to the freedom, they were electrocuted.
6. Old Taxi Park
This is not the place for a long visit but worth seeing for great photography opportunities. You'll be amazed by how many matatus (minibusses) there are and it's even more fun to see how they get out. If you've been traveling overland in Africa for a while, you've probably seen this kind of places before though. It's very chaotic!
7. Gaddafi National Mosque
Gaddafi National Mosque, also known as Uganda National Mosque, is one of the biggest mosques in Africa. Idi Amin started building the mosque, but when funds were running low, Libyan leader Gaddafi helped finance its construction.
8. Buganda Craft Village
A marketplace for buying Ugandan made crafts like paintings, clothes, bags, sculptures, dolls, banana leaf animals, necklaces and bracelets. Be ready to bargain!
9. Muyenga Tank Hill
Muyenga Tank Hill is a great place to wander around and enjoy the view. Muyenga is also an upscale neighborhood. The area is very green, safe to walk around and there are lots of good restaurants. You can also get a great view over the hills of Kampala and Lake Victoria.
10. Lake Victoria
Seeing Lake Victoria is a must if you visit Uganda. In Kampala, there are a few lakeside hotels to stay like Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, Nature's Green Beach Resort, Kalanoga Resort or Yellow Haven Lodge.
You could also visit Ggaba neighborhood which is a local fishing hub and slum area. If you have more time, our tour guide highly recommend a trip to Jinja. We organise and guide Jinja city tours from Kampala
Where to Stay in Kampala. Visit our accommodation page for Kampala stays.
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