02/03/2016
1 Day Kampala Tour, One Day Uganda Safari Visit
Kampala is a small and little developed capital city of Uganda, there are a number of cultural , historical and religious sites. This tour takes you around the city that never sleeps exploring some of Ugnada's big cultural and historical sites, among which is the Kabak's Palace and the lake as well as the Buganda parliment and the Ugnadan parliament, religious sites like the Namugongo matyrs' shrine and the catherdrals and if posssible you may be treated to a spectacular performace of some of Uganda's diverse cultures.
Tour Itinerary
After your early breakfast our tour guide will pick you up from your lodge/ hotel you will embark on your Kampala tour a great Uganda safari unique among all Uganda safaris. Drive through the heavy traffic to the heart of Kampala city-the never standing still, 24/7 busy town – “The African City that never sleep.”
The Central Business area: Kampala city central business area has the upper side comprised of the upper class shopping malls, less congested, cleaner, organized. Here are corporate Banks, insurance companies, Major Forex bureaus, Casinos, star Hotels and all important Government organs like the parliament and ministries. To the centrally is the lower Kampala business area where the average income earners majorly shop.its too busy and congested with cheaper guest houses, Forex bureaus, restaurants and open eating places, dusty roads, and here you will find the famous Owino Market – the largest 2nd hand clothing market in Africa, the Taxi Park-an amazing site in itself and the hub of Kampala Transport with hundreds of mini-vans jostling in and out plus the Nakasero Food and Vegetable Market
Kabaka’s Palace,Parliament: The Kabaka`s of Buganda have a ceremonial palace in which a new modern house- `Tweekobe’ was built. 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. Situated on a hill overlooking Kampala, this palace is enclosed in a ring fence covering close to a thousand acres. Still present are the torture chambers inside which Idi Amin used to torture (using electric shock as well) any one perceived a political threat. The presence of human bones makes these chambers a living memory to those who lost loved ones during this era in suspicion that probably these are their remain. Still 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 as narrated by a royalist at this fire source. A mail away but directly positioned gate to gate is the Bulange- a parliament in which the Kabaka and his ministers have since old days sat to deliberate upon issues concerning Buganda Kingdom. The architectural design of this building has proven a spectacular Uganda tour site to many local and international visitors.
The Kabaka`s Lake: This is the largest manmade lake in Africa made by Kabaka Mwanga and was suppose to connect to Lake Victoria as an escape route for the Kabaka in case of any attack to 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 a leisure to many.
Kasubi Tombs: This UN 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.
Makerere University: 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 Ngugi Wa Thiongo. Her old colonial structures fused with new contemporary ones make it a great Uganda tour destination worthy visiting.
Namirembe Cathedral: If you tour Uganda then you should visit this doom that was originally built in 1903 by Buganda Kingdom Craftsmen as a large Grass thatched cathedral that was soon burnt down/ struck down by lightning but was replaced by the present doom structure. This Church is under the Anglican faith and well known in Uganda to be evangelical unlike in the West. This beautiful structure sited on a hill where you can over see Kampala central offers a fascinating view for both local and foreign visitors
Rubaga Catholic Cathedral: 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 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 town-Uganda`s capital.
safari destination to many tourists.It is located on Kikaaya-a hill also overseeing Kampala. It is a beautiful park like ground with lots of beautiful trees most of them fruit tree species plus flowers as well as a green-carpet like grass with The Baha’i Temple: This being the only Baha’i Temple in Africa makes Uganda a prime tour and clean clear gazetted paths leading to the dome. 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 this place for quality time.
Namugongo Martyr’s Shrine: This is a memorial place from where 22 Catholic young men/martyrs were officially burnt to ashes after rebelling against Kabaka Mwanga when he ordered then to stop worshiping the missionary`s preached God of heaven but in vain. Every 3rd June the Catholic Church and their counterpart of Anglican persuasion flock this place from all over Africa to commemorate this day in honor of their Religious heroes. present is a well believed to have formed by divine/ miraculous power from which believers take lots of holy water for divine healing. There unique architecture of the temple of worship in this place which is a great tour destination.
Uganda Muesuem:
This is the oldest Museum in East Africa, and it was officially established by the British protectorate government in 1908 with ethnographic material. The history of the Museum goes back to 1902 when the governor George Wilkerson called for collection of objects of interest throughout the country to set up a museum. The museum started in a small Sikh temple at Lugards Fort in Old Kampala Hill. Between 1920 and 1940s, archaeology and paleontological surveys and excavations were conducted by Church Hill, E.J. Wayland, Bishop J. Wilson, P.L.Shinnie, E.Lanning and several others who collected a significant number of artifacts to boost the museum. The museum at fort Lugard later become too small to hold the specimen and the museum was moved to Margret Trowel School of fine Art in Makerere University College in 1941. Later funds were raised for a permanent home and the museum was moved to its current home Kitante Hill in 1954. In 2008 The Uganda Museum turned 100 years.
