Kampala is the largest city and capital of
UgandaUganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning:
Kampala Central DivisionNakasero is the hill where the central business district of Kampala is located. Kampala is Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:Nakasero is bordered by Mulago to the north, Makerere to the northwest, Old Kampala to the west, Namirembe and Mengo to the southwest, Nsambya to the south, Kibuli...
,
Kawempe DivisionKawempe Division is one of the divisions that makes up the city of Kampala, Uganda. The city's five divisions are:* Kampala Central Division* Kawempe Division* Lubaga Division* Makindye Division* Nakawa Division-Location:...
,
Makindye DivisionMakindye Division is one of the divisions that makes up the city of Kampala, Uganda. The city's five divisions are:* Kampala Central Division* Kawempe Division* Lubaga Division* Makindye Division* Nakawa Division-Location:...
,
Nakawa DivisionNakawa Division is one of the divisions that makes up the city of Kampala, Uganda. The division takes its name from Nakawa, where the division headquarters are located.-Location:...
and
Lubaga DivisionLubaga Division is one of the divisions that makes up the city of Kampala, Uganda. The division takes its name from Lubaga, where the division headquarters are located...
. The city is coterminous with
Kampala DistrictKampala District is a district in Uganda that is coterminous with the country's capital city, Kampala. The district is named after the city. The main language spoken is Luganda. However many other languages are spoken, including: English, Swahili, Runyankole/Rukiga, Acholi and...
.
History
of
BugandaBuganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
, had chosen the area that was to become Kampala as one of his favorite hunting grounds. The area was made up of hills and wetlands. It was an ideal breeding ground for various game, particularly a species of antelope, the
impalaAn impala is a medium-sized African antelope. The name impala comes from the Zulu language meaning "gazelle"...
(
Aepyceros melampus).
The city grew as the capital of the
BugandaBuganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
kingdom, from which several buildings survive, including the
Kasubi TombsThe Kasubi Tombs in Kampala, Uganda, is the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas , and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.On 16 March 2010, some of the major buildings there were almost completely destroyed by a fire, the cause of which is under investigation...
(built in 1881), the
LubiriLubiri is the royal compound of the Kabaka or king of Buganda, located in Mengo, a suburb of Kampala, the Ugandan capital. The original Lubiri was destroyed in the May 1966 Battle of Mengo Hill, at the culmination of the struggle between Mutesa II and Milton Obote for power....
Palace, the Buganda Parliament and the Buganda Court of Justice. Severely damaged in the
Uganda-Tanzania WarThe Uganda–Tanzania War was fought between Uganda and Tanzania in 1978–1979, and led to the overthrow of Idi Amin's regime...
, the city has since then been rebuilt with constructions of new buildings including hotels, banks, shopping malls, educational institutions, hospitals and improvement of war torn buildings and infrastructure. Traditionally, Kampala was a city of seven hills, but over time it has come to have a lot more.
Features
The main campus of
Makerere UniversityMakerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
, one of
EastEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
and
Central AfricaCentral Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
's premier institutes of higher learning, can be found in the
Makerere HillMakerere is a neighborhood in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The name also applies to the hill on which this neighborhood is perched; one of the original seven hills that constituted Kampala at the time of its founding.-Location:...
area of the City. Kampala is also home to the headquarters of the
East African Development BankEast African Development Bank is a development finance institution with the objective of promoting development in East Africa.-Overview:...
, located on
Nakasero HillNakasero is the hill where the central business district of Kampala is located. Kampala is Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:Nakasero is bordered by Mulago to the north, Makerere to the northwest, Old Kampala to the west, Namirembe and Mengo to the southwest, Nsambya to the south, Kibuli...
.
Kampala is said to be
built on seven hills, although this is not quite accurate.
- The first hill in historical importance is Kasubi Hill, which is where the Kasubi Tombs
The Kasubi Tombs in Kampala, Uganda, is the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas , and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.On 16 March 2010, some of the major buildings there were almost completely destroyed by a fire, the cause of which is under investigation...
of the previous KabakaKabaka may refer to:*Kabaka of Buganda, the title of the king of Buganda*Kabaka Puttur, a village in the state of Karnataka, India...
s are housed.
- The second is Mengo Hill
Mengo is a hill in Lubaga Division, Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:Mengo is bordered by Kampala Hill to the north, Nsambya Hill to the east, Kibuye to the southeast, Ndeeba to the south, Lubaga Hill to the west and Namirembe Hill to the northwest. The coordinates of Mengo Hill...
where the present LubiriLubiri is the royal compound of the Kabaka or king of Buganda, located in Mengo, a suburb of Kampala, the Ugandan capital. The original Lubiri was destroyed in the May 1966 Battle of Mengo Hill, at the culmination of the struggle between Mutesa II and Milton Obote for power....
(Kabaka's Palace) is and the Headquarters of the Buganda Court of Justice and of the Lukiiko, Bugand'sBuganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
Parliament (BulangeBulange , is a building in Uganda. It houses the Lukiiko of the Kingdom of Buganda. The Kabaka of Buganda also maintains offices in the building...
).
- The third is Kibuli Hill
-Location:Kibuli Hill is bordered by Kololo to the north, Nakawa and Mbuya to the northeast, Namuwongo to the east, Muyenga to the southeast, Kabalagala to the south, Nsambya to the southwest, the Queen's Clock Tower to the east and Nakasero to the northeast. Kibuli is located approximately ...
, which is home to the Kibuli MosqueA mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
. Islam was brought to Uganda before the Christian missionaries came.
- The fourth is Namirembe Hill
Namirembe is a hill in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. It is also a common name given to girls in several Baganda clans. Namirembe comes from the Luganda word “mirembe” meaning “peace”. Namirembe loosely translates into Full of Peace...
, home to the Namirembe Anglican CathedralA cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
. The Protestants were the first of the Christian Missions to arrive.
- The fifth is Lubaga Hill
Lubaga is a hill in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. Its comes from the Luganda word okubaga, a process of "planning" or "making a structure stronger" while constructing it...
, where the Rubaga Catholic CathedralA cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
is, and was the headquarters of the White Fathers.
- The sixth Nsambya Hill
-Location:Nsambya is located approximately south-southeast of the central business district of Kampala, along the road to Ggaba, a suburb of the city. The coordinates of Nsambya Hill are: 00 17 57N, 32 35 17E.-Landmarks:The landmarks on Nsambya Hill include:...
, was the Headquarters of the Mill Hill Mission. It now houses Nsambya HospitalSt. Francis Hospital Nsambya, commonly known as Nsambya Hospital, is a hospital in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:...
.
- The seventh is Kampala Hill
Kampala Hill, commonly referred to as Old Kampala, is a hill in the center of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:...
, (also known as Old Kampala), the hill of the Impala is where the ruins of Lugard's Fort were. However, the ruins were recently destroyed (2003), when the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) started on reconstruction of a 15,000-seater mosque on land that included the fort. The mosque was begun by Idi AminIdi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
but was never completed. The fort was then re-located to a nearby area (a new and similar one constructed), a move that has since been a source of controversy between The Historic Buildings Conservation Trust (HBCT) of Uganda and the UMSC. The UMSC was given the gazetted land as a gift by President Idi Amin in 1972 during its inauguration. This hill is where Kampala got its name.
The city spread to
Nakasero HillNakasero is the hill where the central business district of Kampala is located. Kampala is Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:Nakasero is bordered by Mulago to the north, Makerere to the northwest, Old Kampala to the west, Namirembe and Mengo to the southwest, Nsambya to the south, Kibuli...
where the administrative centre and the wealthiest residential area is. Nakasero is also the location of the most upscale hotels in the city including:
- The Grand Imperial Hotel
-Location:The hotel is located on Speke Road, on Nakasero Hill, in the heart of Kampala's central business district. Adjacent landmarks include the East African Development Bank, the Bank of Uganda, Kampala Sheraton Hotel and the Ugandan headquarters of Standard Chartered Bank...
- The Kampala Speke Hotel
-Location:The hotel is located in the heart of Kampala, at 7-9 Nile Avenue, on Nakasero Hill, close to the Grand Imperial Hotel and the Kampala Sheraton Hotel. This location is close to banks, shopping arcades and offices, in the middle of Kampala's central business district...
- The Kampala Sheraton Hotel
-Location:The hotel sits on the southwestern slopes of Nakasero Hill, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.. The coordinates of the Kampala Sheraton Hotel are:0° 18' 59.40"N, 32° 35' 0.60"E .-History:...
- The Kampala Hilton Hotel
Kampala Hilton Hotel is a hotel, under construction, in Kampala, Uganda's capital city.-Location:The hotel is located on Nakasero Hill Road in Nakasero, Kampala's most prestigious location. The building is being erected on a site that was previously occupied by the state's television stations...
- The Kampala Serena Hotel
-Location:Kampala Serena Hotel is located on Kintu Road, on Nakasero Hill, nestled among of manicured lawns and gardens in one of Kampala's most exclusive hillside neighborhoods. This location is adjacent to the Kampala Sheraton Hotel and the Imperial Royale Hotel...
- The Imperial Royale Hotel
-Location:The Imperial Royale Hotel is located on Kintu Road, on Nakasero Hill, in the heart of one of Kampala's most exclusive neighborhoods. Nearby landmarks include the Kampala Sheraton Hotel, the 5-star Kampala Serena Hotel and Kampala Speke Hotel...
- The Kampala Intercontinental Hotel
Kampala Intercontinental Hotel is a hotel, under construction, in Kampala, Uganda's capital city.-Location:The hotel is located on Nakasero Hill, the most prestigious location in Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that county...
There is also
Tank Hill-Location:Muyenga is bordered by Bukasa to the east, Kiwuliriza to the north, Kisugu and Kabalagala to the west, Kansanga to the southwest, Kiwafu to the south and Kyeyitabya to the southeast. The coordinates of Muyenga Hill are: Latitude:0.2938; Longitude:32.6114....
, where the water storage tanks that supply the city are located. Mulago Hill is the site of
Mulago HospitalMulago National Referral Hospital, commonly known as Mulago Hospital, is the largest hospital in Uganda. The hospital is located on Mulago Hill in the northern part of the city of Kampala. It is the teaching hospital for Makerere University College of Health Sciences, the oldest medical College in...
, the largest hospital in Uganda. The city is now rapidly expanding to include
Makindye HillMakindye is a hill in Kampala, Uganda's largest city and capital. Makindye is also the seat of Makindye Division, one of the five administrative zones of the city of Kampala.The other four divisions are:* Kampala Central Division* Nakawa Division...
and Konge Hill. Makindye Division incorporating
Kibuli-Location:Kibuli Hill is bordered by Kololo to the north, Nakawa and Mbuya to the northeast, Namuwongo to the east, Muyenga to the southeast, Kabalagala to the south, Nsambya to the southwest, the Queen's Clock Tower to the east and Nakasero to the northeast. Kibuli is located approximately ...
,
Tank HillTank Hill Park is located in San Francisco near the intersection of Clayton Street and Twin Peaks Boulevard, which circumscribes the hill to the south and east...
and
MakindyeMakindye is a hill in Kampala, Uganda's largest city and capital. Makindye is also the seat of Makindye Division, one of the five administrative zones of the city of Kampala.The other four divisions are:* Kampala Central Division* Nakawa Division...
now has over 300,000 residents. Medical provision in this part of town, being more recently developed, is limited. Hospitals include
Kibuli HospitalKibuli Hospital, sometimes referred to as Kibuli Muslim Hospital , is a hospital in on Kibuli Hill, in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:...
, St. Francis Hospital Nsambya and the
International Hospital KampalaInternational Hospital Kampala , is a private, upscale, tertiary care medical facility owned by International Medical Group, the largest provider of private medical services in Uganda. As of July 2009, the hospital has a capacity of eighty beds.-Location:The hospital is located in Namuwongo in...
(IHK). Philanthropic health services are provided by
Hope Clinic LukuliThe Hope Clinic Lukuli is a philanthropic health facility in Kampala, Uganda.The clinic is situated in a semi-urban part of Kampala District, within a few miles of the centre of the capital and yet with housing that is unplanned, without plumbing for clean or waste water and with only partial...
situated between Tank Hill, Makindye and Konge.
Kololo Hill-Location:Kololo is close to the centre of Kampala, bordered by Naguru to the east, Bukoto to the north, Mulago to the northwest, Makerere to the west, Nakasero to the southwest and Kibuli to the south.-Overview:...
to the east of Nakasero, is the highest hill in the city, at 1300 metres (4,265.1 ft) above sea level. The
Uganda MuseumThe Uganda Museum is a museum in Kampala, Uganda, which displays and exhibits ethnological, natural-historical and traditional life collections of Uganda's cultural heritage...
is located at the foot of Kololo Hill in the neighborhood called Kamwokya.
In 2001, the city limits were substantially expanded to include many of the surrounding communities within the city; including:
NamirembeNamirembe is a hill in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. It is also a common name given to girls in several Baganda clans. Namirembe comes from the Luganda word “mirembe” meaning “peace”. Namirembe loosely translates into Full of Peace...
,
NaakulabyeNaakulabye is a neighborhood within the city of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and its largest metropolitan area.-Location:Naakulabye is located in Lubaga Division, in northwestern Kampala...
, Kasubi,
Bwaise-Location:Bwaise is bordered by Kawempe to the north, Kyebando to the east, Mulago to the southeast, Makerere to the south and Kasubi to the southwest. This location is approximately , by road, north of Kampala's central business district...
,
KawempeKawempe is an area in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital. It is also the location of the headquarters of Kawempe Division, one of the five administrative divisions of Kampala. The five divisions are:* Kampala Central Division* Lubaga Division...
,
KikaayaKikaaya is a neighborhood in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The correct phonetic spelling is with two 'a's, after the second 'k'.-Location:Kikaaya is located in Kawempe Division, in northern Kampala...
,
MpererweMpererwe is a neighborhood in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. Sometimes it is spelled as Mpereerwe.-Location:Mpererwe is located in Kawempe Division, in northern Kampala. It is bordered by Katalemwa, in Wakiso District to the north, Kisaasi to the east, Kanyanya to the south and Kawempe...
,
LubagaLubaga is a hill in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. Its comes from the Luganda word okubaga, a process of "planning" or "making a structure stronger" while constructing it...
,
NateeteNateete is a location in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital. The correct spelling is with two "e"'s. Unfortunately the location is often misspelled with one "e".-Location:Nateete is located on the southwestern edge of the city of Kampala...
,
Busega-Location:Busega is bordered by unincorporated Wakiso District to the north, Namungoona to the northeast, Lungujja to the east, Nateete to the south and Buloba to the west. This location is approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala's central business district. Busega is located in Lubaga Division...
,
MutundweMutundwe is a neighborhood in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital. The name also refers to Mutundwe Hill, where the neighborhood is located.-Location:Mutundwe is located on the southwestern edge of the city of Kampala...
,
Ndeeba-Location:Ndeeba is located on the southwestern edge of the city of Kampala. It is bordered by Mengo to the north, Katwe to the northeast, Kibuye to the east, Makindye and Najjanankumbi to the southeast, Kabowa to the south, Mutundwe to the west and Lubaga to the northwest...
,
Katwe-Location:Katwe, located in Makindye Division, is bordered by Nakasero to the north, Nsambya to the east, Kibuye and Makindye to the southeast, Ndeeba to the south and Mengo to the west. The road distance between Kampala's central business district and Katwe is approximately...
,
Kibuli-Location:Kibuli Hill is bordered by Kololo to the north, Nakawa and Mbuya to the northeast, Namuwongo to the east, Muyenga to the southeast, Kabalagala to the south, Nsambya to the southwest, the Queen's Clock Tower to the east and Nakasero to the northeast. Kibuli is located approximately ...
,
KabalagalaKabalagala is a neighborhood in the city of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The name Kabalagala comes from a local type of pancake made from cassava flour and sweet bananas and is spiced with local peppers. Hawkers of this food variety would pull up to motorists as they were waiting to turn...
,
Ntinda-Location:Ntinda is bordered by Kyambogo to the east, Nakawa to the south, Naguru to the west, Bukoto to the northwest, Kigoowa to the north and Kiwaatule to the northeast. This location is approximately , by road, northeast of Kampala's central business district...
,
Kiwaatule-Location:Kiwaatule is bordered by Najjera to the north, Naalya to the east, Banda to the south, Ntinda to the southwest, Kigoowa to the west and Kulambiro to the northwest. This location is approximately , by road, northeast of Kampala's central business district...
,
Kisaasi-Location:Kisaasi is located in Kawempe Division, in northern Kampala. It is bordered by Ntinda and Bukoto to the south, Kigoowa to the southeast, Kulambiro to the est, Komamboga to the northeast, Unincorporated Wakiso District to the north, Kawempe to the west and Kyebando to the southwest. This...
;
Najjanankumbi-Location:Najjanankumbi is located on the southern edge of the city of Kampala. It is bordered by Kibuye to the north, Lukuli to the east, Makindye to the southeast, Lubowa to the south, Kabowa to the west and Ndeeba to the northwest. The coordinates of Najjanankumbi are:00 16 30N, 32 34 12E...
;
NakawaNakawa is an area in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital. It is also the location of the headquarters of Nakawa Division, one of the five administrative divisions of Kampala.-Location:Nakawa is located on the eastern edge of the city of Kampala...
, Kyambogo, Nagulu,
BugoloobiBugoloobi, sometimes spelled as Bugolobi, is a location in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.-Location:Bugoloobi is bordered by Nakawa and Mbuya to the north, Mutungo to the east, Kitintale and Luzira to the southeast, Muyenga to the south and southeast, Namuwongo to the west and Kampala's...
,
MbuyaMbuya is a hill in south-eastern Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The hill rises above sea level.-Location:Mbuya is bordered by Kyambogo to the north, Kinawataka and Kireka to the northeast, Butabika and Biina to the east, Mutungo to the southeast, Port Bell, Kitintale and Bugoloobi to the...
,
LuziraLuzira is a suburb of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. It is best known for the country's main prison, Luzira Maximum Security Prison, which has seen significant redevelopment thanks to the work of African Prisons Project, a charity based in the UK and Kampala....
,
Port BellPort Bell is a small industrial centre in the greater metropolitan Kampala area, in Uganda. Port Bell has a rail link and a rail/road ferry wharf used for International traffic across Lake Victoria to Tanzania and Kenya.-Location:...
and
Butabika-Location:Butabika is bordered by Bweyogerere to the north, Kirinnya, a Ward in Kira Municipality to the east, Luzira and Port Bell to the south, Mutungo to the west and Kireka in Kira Municipality to the northwest. This location is approximately , by road, east of Kampala's central business...
.
The eastern and northeastern suburbs of
BandaBanda is a hill that partly lies within the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital and partly in neighboring Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, central Uganda...
,
KirekaKireka is the name of a township in Central Uganda. It is one of the six townships or Wards that constitute Kira Municipality in Wakiso District...
,
BweyogerereBweyogerere is the name of a township in south-central Uganda. It is one of the six townships or Wards that constitute Kira Municipality in Wakiso District...
,
NamanveNamanve is a location in Kira Municipality, in Wakiso District, Central Uganda.-Location:Namanve is located in Bweyogerere Ward, in southeastern Kira Municipality, in Wakiso District, Central Uganda. This location is approximately , by road, east of downtown Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
KirinnyaKirinnya is a location in Kira Municipality, in Wakiso District, Central Uganda. The correct spelling in the local Ganda language is with two "n"s.-Location:...
,
Namugongo-Location:Namugongo is located in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, Central Uganda, approximately northeast of Uganda's capital Kampala. The coordinates of the township are: 00 23 07N; 32 39 05E-Uganda Martyrs:...
,
KyaliwajjalaKyaliwajjala is a neighborhood in Kira Municipality, Kyaddondo County, Wakiso District, in Central Uganda.-Location:Kyaliwajja is bordered by Namugongo to the northeast, Bweyogerere to the southeast, Naalya to the south, Najjera to the west and Downtown Kira to the northwest...
,
BulindoBulindo is a neighborhood in Kira Municipality, Kyaddondo County, Wakiso District, in Central Uganda.-Location:Bulindo is bordered by Nakweero to the north, Kitukutwe to the northeast, Kigulu to the east, Mulawa to the south, Kitikifumba to the southwest and Kazinga to the west...
and
NsasaNsasa is a neighborhood in Kira Municipality, Kyaddondo County, Wakiso District, in Central Uganda.-Location:Nsasa is bordered by Kigulu to the north, Misindye, in Mukono District to the east, Namugongo to the southeast, downtown Kira to the southwest and Mulawa to the west...
, among others, were carved out into a separate municipality called
Kira MunicipalityKira Town is a municipality in Wakiso District in Central Uganda. It is administered by Kira Town Council, an Urban Local Government within Wakiso District Administration.-Location:...
. Today, Kira Municipality is the second largest town in Uganda with an estimated population of about 180,000 in 2011.
Other features of the city include the
Uganda MuseumThe Uganda Museum is a museum in Kampala, Uganda, which displays and exhibits ethnological, natural-historical and traditional life collections of Uganda's cultural heritage...
, Ugandan National Theatre,
Nakasero MarketNakasero Market is a market in Kampala, Uganda, located at the foot of Nakasero hill. It sells fresh food, textiles, shoes and cheap electronics.-References:*...
and St. Balikuddembe Market (formerly Owino Market). Kampala is also known for its nightlife, which includes several casinos, notably Casino Simba in the Garden City shopping center, Kampala Casino and Mayfair Casino.
Entebbe International AirportEntebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
is located at
EntebbeEntebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
, 35 miles (56.3 km) away, while
Port BellPort Bell is a small industrial centre in the greater metropolitan Kampala area, in Uganda. Port Bell has a rail link and a rail/road ferry wharf used for International traffic across Lake Victoria to Tanzania and Kenya.-Location:...
on the shores of
Lake VictoriaLake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away.
Also to note is that Kampala hosts one of only seven
Bahá'í Houses of WorshipA Bahá'í House of Worship, sometimes referred to by its Arabic name of Mashriqu'l-Adhkár ,is the designation of a place of worship, or temple, of the Bahá'í Faith...
in the world. It is known as the Mother Temple of Africa and is situated on Kikaya Hill on the outskirts of the city. Its foundation stone was laid in January 1958, and was dedicated on January 13, 1961. See
Bahá'í Faith in UgandaThe Bahá'í Faith in Uganda started to grow in 1951 and in four years time there were 500 Bahá'ís in 80 localities, including 13 Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assemblies, representing 30 tribes, and had dispatched 9 pioneers to other African locations...
.
The Ahmadiyya Central Mosque in Kampala is the central mosque of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim CommunityThe Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the larger of two communities that arose from the Ahmadiyya movement founded in 1889 in India by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian . The original movement split into two factions soon after the death of the founder...
, which has 6 minarets and can hold up to 9,000 worshippers.
Kampala going westwards has
KabakaKabaka may refer to:*Kabaka of Buganda, the title of the king of Buganda*Kabaka Puttur, a village in the state of Karnataka, India...
's
LubiriLubiri is the royal compound of the Kabaka or king of Buganda, located in Mengo, a suburb of Kampala, the Ugandan capital. The original Lubiri was destroyed in the May 1966 Battle of Mengo Hill, at the culmination of the struggle between Mutesa II and Milton Obote for power....
, the palace of the King of
BugandaBuganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
. Buganda is one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa, dating back to the late 13th Century. Other landmarks include the Kasubi tombs, the magnificent mosque at old Kampala, Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedral, at the very edge there is Kasumba Square Mall at the intersection of Northern Bypass and Busega roundabout.
Transportation
In early 2007, it was announced that Kampala would remove commuter taxis from its streets and replace them with a comprehensive city bus service. (It should be noted that in Kampala the term "taxi" refers to a 15-seater minibus used as public transport.) The bus service was expected to cover the greater Kampala metropolitan area including Mukono,
MpigiMpigi is a town in Mawokota County, Mpigi District, in Central Uganda. Mpigi is the municipal, administrative and commercial headquarters of Mpigi District. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
,
BomboBombo is a British computer game published by Rino for the Commodore 64.-Plot:Taken from the game's instructions:A wave of insurrection has left the earth littered with bombs primed to explode and destroy mankind.Your commission is to clear the pyramids of ancient Egypt, castles of medieval Britain...
,
EntebbeEntebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
, Wakiso and
Gayaza-Location:Gayaza is situated in North Kyaddondo Constituency, Kyaddondo County, Wakiso District, in Central Uganda. The township is located approximately , northeast of Kasangati, on the road from Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city, to Ziroobwe, in Luweero District. This location lies...
. The decision is yet to be implemented.
Boda-bodaBoda-boda also known as a Poda-Poda in some parts of Africa is a bicycle taxi, originally in East Africa . The bicycle rider can also be called boda-boda...
s (local motorcycle transportation) are a popular mode of transport that gives access to many areas with in and outside the city. Standard fees for these range from UGX 500 to 1,000 or more.
Boda-bodaBoda-boda also known as a Poda-Poda in some parts of Africa is a bicycle taxi, originally in East Africa . The bicycle rider can also be called boda-boda...
s are useful for passing through rush-hour traffic although they are usually poorly maintained and often dangerous.
In January 2007, the mayor of Kampala City announced plans to introduce a
congestion feeRoad pricing is an economic concept regarding the various direct charges applied for the use of roads. The road charges includes fuel taxes, licence fees, parking taxes, tolls, and congestion charges, including those which may vary by time of day, by the specific road, or by the specific vehicle...
of Sh30,000 per vehicle per day when the bus network is launched. This decision is also yet to be implemented.
Having successfully completed the Northern Bypass, the Government, in collaboration with its stakeholders, now plans to introduce the
Bus Rapid TransitBus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
(BRT) system in Kampala by 2014.
Climate
Kampala features a tropical wet and dry climate, however due to city’s higher altitudes, average temperatures are noticeably cooler than what is typically seen in other cities with this type of climate. Kampala seldom gets very hot during the course of the year; the warmest month is January.
Another facet of Kampala’s weather is that it features two distinct
wet seasonThe the wet season, or rainy season, is the time of year, covering one or more months, when most of the average annual rainfall in a region occurs. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Areas with wet seasons are dispersed across portions of the...
s. There is a lengthy rainy season from August through December and another shorter rainy season that begins in February and lasts through June. However, the shorter rainy season sees substantially heavier rainfall per month, with the month of April typically seeing the heaviest amount of precipitation at an average of around 175 mm of rain.
Demographics
Kampala has a diverse ethnic population, although the
BagandaThe Ganda are an ethnic group native to Buganda, a subnational kingdom within Uganda. Traditionally comprising 52 tribes the Ganda have a rich history and culture...
- the local ethnic group - make up over 60% of the greater Kampala region. The city's ethnic makeup has been defined by political and economic factors. During the rule of
Milton OboteApolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
and
Idi AminIdi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
, who were both from northern Uganda, a significant number of northern Ugandans moved into Kampala from the 1950s until the mid 1980s. Most served in the armed forces and the police. Most settled arounod the areas where the Military and Police barracks were located -
Ntinda-Location:Ntinda is bordered by Kyambogo to the east, Nakawa to the south, Naguru to the west, Bukoto to the northwest, Kigoowa to the north and Kiwaatule to the northeast. This location is approximately , by road, northeast of Kampala's central business district...
,
Naguru-Location:Naguru is bordered by Ntinda to the east, Nakawa to the southeast, Namuwongo to the south, Kololo to the southwest, Kamwookya to the west, Bukoto to the northwest and Kigoowa to the north. The coordinates of Naguru Hill are:00 20 48N, 32 36 20E .-Overview:Naguru Hill rises above sea...
, Bugolobi and
MbuyaMbuya is a hill in south-eastern Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The hill rises above sea level.-Location:Mbuya is bordered by Kyambogo to the north, Kinawataka and Kireka to the northeast, Butabika and Biina to the east, Mutungo to the southeast, Port Bell, Kitintale and Bugoloobi to the...
. With the overthrow of
Milton OboteApolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
in 1986, many northern Ugandans left the city. At the same time a large number of western Ugandans, particularly the Banyankole, moved into the city, reflecting the large proportion of western Ugandans in the new government of
Yoweri MuseveniYoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
.
The mismanagement of Uganda's economy during the 1970s and 1980s meant that there were fewer employment opportunities outside Kampala. This encouraged many people from around the country to move into the city, and some have not moved back to their home districts after the revitalization of the economy in the 1990s and 2000s.
Inter-tribal marriage in Uganda is still rare, and although many Kampala residents have been born and bred in the city they still define themselves by their tribal roots. This is more evident in the suburbs of the city, where local languages are spoken widely alongside
EnglishEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
,
SwahiliSwahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
and Luganda. Apart from the Baganda and Banyankole, other large ethnic groups include the Basoga,
BafumbiraKisoro is a town in Western Uganda. It is the 'chief town' of Kisoro District and the district headquarters are located there. The district was named after the town.-Location:...
, Batoro,
BakigaThe Kiga people, or Abakiga , are an ethnic group located in northern Rwanda and southern Uganda. The Kiga speak a Bantu language called Rukiga. They are sometimes referred to as the Chiga or Kiga, while the singular form is Umukiga...
,
AlurAlur are an ethnic group who live mainly in the Nebbi, Zombo, and Arua districts in northwestern Uganda, but also in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Lake Albert. They are part of the larger Luo group, and their language is closely related to Acholi...
,
BagisuThe Gisu people, or Bagisu , alternately Gishu, Masaba, or Sokwia, are a tribe of the Masaba nation of eastern Uganda, closely related to the Bukusu people of Kenya...
, Banyoro,
ItesoThe Teso are an ethnic group in eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Teso refers to the traditional homeland of the Iteso, and Ateso is their language.-Uganda:...
, Langi and Acholi.
Population
The national census in 2002 estimated the population of the city at 1,189,142. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimated the population of Kampala at 1,420,200 in 2008. In 2011, UBOS estimated the mid-year population of the city at 1,659,600. The population of the city is Christian, Muslim, Methodist and African religious beliefs. Anglicans are the majority (65%). Muslims are estimated to make up about 10% of the religious population of Kampala.
External links