1 day Kampala city tour organized by Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours is a one-day Kampala city tour and one of the best short Uganda tours that offer you an opportunity to visit and see the highlights of Uganda’s capital during your Uganda tour. This Kampala City tour or Kampala day trip excursion gives you a visit to Uganda cultural sites, Religious structures, business-like both up and downtown, market setups, administrative buildings, transportation modes, general infrastructural setup, colonial and modern, meals, hotels, and academic centers as well as the religious, the political and economic history of the pearl of Africa-Uganda.
Whether you’re just beginning your Uganda wildlife safari, Gorilla trekking safari, or preparing for a return trip home after your awe-inspiring safari in Uganda, Kampala is a diverse and exciting urban setting for you to spend half-day or a full day exploring its many attractions with a skilled and experienced guide that not only ensures your safety but also efficiently navigates the high traffic roads, allowing you to enjoy all that Kampala has to offer.
On this 1 day Kampala city tour, you learn about the unique culture and traditions of the Baganda people of the Buganda Kingdom and their kings (Kabakas), at Kabaka’s (King’s) palace and its Parliamentary building where Lukiiko or Parliament seats. You visit the Uganda National Mosque (Gadafi Mosque) on Old Kampala hill one of the largest mosques in Africa, capable of holding almost 25,000 worshippers. Climb the mosque’s distinctive tower structure, (the minaret) and enjoy the unrivaled views of the city at an angle of 360 degrees that gives unique photography of the Kampala city setting.
Continue to Namugogo Matry’s Shrine, a memorial place from where 22 Catholic young men/martyrs were burnt alive to ashes after rebelling against Kabaka (King) Mwanga of Buganda Kingdom when he ordered them to stop worshipping the missionary`s preached God of heaven but in vain. Travel to the Baha’i Temple, the only temple of Bahá’í faith in Africa and one of only 9 around the world. Visit the Uganda National Museum, the oldest museum in East Africa established in 1908, with a remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history.
Your 1 day Kampala city tour can also include a visit to the Kasubi Royal Tombs, the capital’s shopping areas, local street markets, significant buildings, and other areas of interest.
After your early breakfast, our tour guide picks you up from your lodge/hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. You embark on your Kampala tour a great Uganda trip unique among all Uganda safaris. Drive through the heavy traffic of Kampala city-the never standing still, 24/7 busy town – “The African City that never sleeps.” Below are details about the sites to visit on this amazing 1 day Kampala city tour.
Visit Kabaka’s Palace (Olubiri) a magnificent historical piece of architectural art that peers out through the normally blue skies on top of Mengo Hill. Learn about the history and cultural heritage of Buganda.
The name Kabaka is the title given to the King of Buganda Kingdom. Buganda is the largest of the traditional Kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda’s Central Region, including Kampala. The people in the Buganda kingdom are called the Baganda and speak the Luganda language, the most widely spoken language in Uganda. Baganda also makes up the largest Ugandan ethnic group, representing approximately 16.9% of Uganda’s population.
There are over 52 clans in the Buganda kingdom and this clan system is central to its culture. The clan represents a group of people who can trace their lineage to a common ancestor in some distant past. In the customs of Buganda, lineage is passed down along patrilineal lines.
The clan essentially forms a large extended family and all members of a given clan regard each other as brothers and sisters regardless of how far removed from one another in terms of actual blood ties. According to the customs of the Baganda, one is not supposed to marry into one’s clan or that of one’s mother. The Kabaka, however, has unquestionable power and he is free to marry from any clan and everything in Buganda is believed to belong to the Kabaka
Buganda kingdom has a long and extensive history. Unified in the 13th century under the first King Kato Kintu, the founder of Buganda’s Kintu Dynasty, Buganda grew to become one of the largest and most powerful states in East Africa during the 13th and 19th Centuries. During the Scramble for Africa, and following unsuccessful attempts to retain its Independence against British Imperialism, Buganda became the center of the Uganda Protectorate in 1894; the name Uganda, the Swahili term for Buganda, was adopted by British officials.
Your visit to Kabaka’s palace is a great opportunity to discover several fascinating stories about the history of Buganda, the Culture of Baganda Kindom, their norms and customs. At the gate of this palace is a traditional fire source that has never burnt out since the inception of the Buganda monarchy/Kingdom and shall never stop burning least a king is dead. Here is a representation of all Baganda Clans and their respective role in this Kingdom since time immemorial.
In Lubiri, you can also visit Idi Amin’s torture chamber. Here Kabaka Muteesa II was attacked by Idi Amin`s soldiers forcing him into exile in Great Britain from where he later died of poison. After the coup against Muteesa II, the palace building was converted to army barracks, while an adjacent site became a prison and torture-execution chamber which Idi Amin used to torture (using electric shock as well) anyone perceived as a political threat.
A mile away but directly positioned gate to gate is the Bulange Royal Building where Lukiiko or Parliament seats. It is also a great place to learn about the history and culture of Buganda. You tour inside the parliament building, providing interesting stories and details about the different clans.
Visit Uganda National Mosque, one of Kampala’s premier sights. It is the 2nd largest in Africa, located at the Old Kampala Hill, the origin of Kampala city. The mosque was begun by Idi Amin in 1972 but only completed in 2007 with a donation from Colonel Gadafi for president of Libya. Gadafi Mosque can hold 25,000 worshippers and it’s the headquarters of the Islamic faith in Uganda.
All religions in Uganda i.e. Muslims, Christians, Baha’i, Hindus and many other communities coexist peacefully with one another. About 15% of the Ugandan population is Muslim and the percentage has grown fast because the community has very large families.
The interior of the mosque is beautifully amazing, stepping only on the soft carpet feels so good. The major highlight of a tour here a walk to a distinctive tower structure, the minaret, which is best known as the place where the muezzin calls Muslims for prayers. Each mosque has one, but the minaret at the Gaddafi Mosque is more of a skyscraper.
Escorted by a guide, you set forth to climb the 304 steps to the top of the minaret, enjoying unrivaled views of Kampala city – viewing the city at an angle of 360 degrees. You’re able to see all the 7 hills of Kampala at once, while atop the Minaret.
The roads leading to and from the city are clear from this view. Prominent buildings such as the Mapeera House, Namirembe cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Crested Towers, Pearl of Africa Hotel, URA House, Cham Towers, among others stand proud but do not hide the smaller buildings from view.
After here you will then descend and head to your next destination, however carrying a lot of memories of the Gaddafi Mosque – Uganda National Mosque.
This 1 day Kampala city tour also takes you to the Basilica located in Namugongo about 15km from the city center. This magnificent site stands tall with the grandeur of an ancient Cathedral whose structural design derives its inspiration from the African Hut. It is dedicated to the 22 young men/martyrs who were burnt alive to ashes after rebelling against Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda when he ordered them to stop worshipping the missionarys’ preached God of heaven but in vain.
Having been sentenced to death in Munyonyo (where the Kabaka’s Royal Palace was situated) on Wednesday, May 26th, 1886, the condemned martyrs then embarked on their walk to ‘Calvary’ journey to Namugongo where they arrived on Thursday, May 27th, 1886. Some had already been killed in Munyonyo, others were killed along the way.
In Namugongo, the Uganda martyrs were confined before execution, in that time, the executioners went about with preparatory activities like collection of enough firewood and cutting of reeds to be used in the event, this took until 2nd of June.
On the 3rd of June 1886, on the feast of the ascension, Charles Lwanga became the first victim of the holocaust. He (Charles) was allowed to arrange his deathbed of firewood. Then wrapped in reeds laid on the pyre and was burnt slowly from the foot to the head at about midday, 3rd June 1886. The other men were burnt together with 6 other prisoners that were on death sentence for offenses other than religion.
Uganda Martyrs were beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and later canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964. They are the only African saints to whom a basilica is dedicated and they are the largest group of saints ever canonized by the Catholic Church. Every 3rd June the Catholic Church and their counterpart of Anglican persuasion flock to this place from all over Africa and worldwide in honor of their Religious heroes.
For some, the journey is not one traveled by the convenience of a car, but rather walking barefooted for miles, from as far as Kenya. The atmosphere is usually sweaty body upon body and pilgrims walking with visible exhaustion yet thriving on the spiritual inspiration drawn from these brave young men to whom they come to pay homage.
This one-day Kampala tour continues to the Baha’i Temple. Also known as the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, is the only Bahá’í temple in Africa and one of only 9 around the world. It is located on Kikaaya-a hill also overseeing Kampala. It is a beautiful park-like ground with lots of beautiful trees most of the fruit tree species plus flowers as well as a green-carpet-like grass with clean clear gazetted paths leading to the dome.
The temple stands nearly 38 meters (125 feet) tall, and at the time of construction, it was the tallest building in East Africa. Its seating capacity is just over 400. This park-like environment attracts many people who sit on the grass and have a peaceful moment or hold picnics not forgetting couples in love who flock to this place for quality time.
Your Kampala day trip excursion in Uganda will end at the Uganda National Museum, the biggest and the oldest Museum in the East, founded in 1908. This museum is a summary of Uganda offering a great opportunity to learn about all the 56 tribes that make up Uganda, the different historical memories that existed in the Pearl of Africa, science and technology, archeology, and natural history. The Uganda Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history. Enjoy the African history cultures and treasures of Uganda under one roof.
This UNESCO World Heritage site was unfortunately burnt down in 2010 and is still in the process of restoration. It was the largest grass thatched structure in the world and the burial place to several befallen Kabakas/ Kings of the Buganda Kingdom. Once finished to its former glory, we will put it back on our schedule of places to visit in Kampala
If you tour Uganda then you should visit this doom that was originally built in 1903 by Baganda Kingdom Craftsmen as a large Grass thatched cathedral that was soon burnt down/struck down by lightning but was replaces by the present doom structure.
This Church is part of the Church of Uganda but Anglican and as well known in Uganda most Anglican Churches are very evangelical unlike in the West. This beautiful structure sited on a hill where you can oversee Kampala central offers a fascinating view for both local and foreign visitors.
The oldest Catholic Cathedral in Uganda, like Namirembe Cathedral, overlooks the city and is a large complex that takes in various functions of the church and is surrounded by beautiful trees plus flowers. It is also situated on a hill with a great scenery view on top of the amazing cathedral structure from here one has a great view over Kampala down Uganda’s capital.
The is the largest man-made lake in Africa made by Kabaka Mwanga and was supposed to connect to Lake Victoria as an escape route for the Kabaka in case of an attack on the throne but was not finished and only remained as a royal lake near the palace which is home to some birds and least a fishing sport as well as leisure to many.
It is one of the most prestigious multinational Universities in Africa with a rich history and professors who have taught here such as Prof. Mazurui, Author Paul Theroux and Nugugu Wa Thiongo. Her old colonial structures fused with new contemporary ones make it a great Uganda tour destination-worthy visiting.
End of the 1 Day Kampala City Tour
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