Kampala, the capital of Uganda, has a population of about 1.8 million people by night, swelling to about 2.5 million by day as commuters come into the city from neighboring settlements. The city is situated 40 km north of Uganda’s international airport at Entebbe on Lake Victoria. Kampala City occupies more than twenty-five hills that include Makerere Hill on which the country’s biggest and oldest university is located. The hills have steep slopes separated by wide valleys.
The city derives its name from the land of “Impala” (antelope) that roamed the area before it was taken over for human settlement. It is the hub of Ugandan business. It forms the vital part of Uganda’s economy and serves as the headquarters for many industries .It has every thing from a vibrant night life; cinema and theatres, nightclubs, casinos, modern shopping centres, restaurants and lively pubs, recreation centres, sports facilities and schools to places of worship- churches and mosques.
History
The city’s past legacy and scenery speaks loud. Initially the capital of Buganda Kingdom, it was declared Uganda’s capital at independence in 1962. It sits on 7 hills with a beautiful view of the landscape. It is administration is divided into 5 borough councils- each headed by a division chairperson, that oversee local planning: The Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division.
Administration
These divisions are centrally governed by the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) under the leadership of the KCCA Executive Director and the guidance of the lord Mayor of Kampala.
The city’s skyline is ever changing with new modern architecture blending with the old to give it that organic feel. It has transformed into a modern city with a selection of excellent accommodation that cuts across different budget lines from the ordinary Bed and Breakfast (B & B) to the top notch five star hotels, and other facilities.
Population
More than 60 percent of the resident population lives in slums and poor quality housing. Slums such as Bwaise, Katwe, Kisenyi, Kibuli, Katanga, Nakulabye, Naguru II, Nsambya and many others have houses that lack basic necessities such as clean water, proper sanitation and planned structures. The vast majority are tenants, and many are highly transient. Most of the city has 24/7 water supplies, and network coverage is over 70 percent, but access for poor families is far lower. Most rely on communal standpipes and water vendors, who deliver water in jerry cans from taps or public springs, or they buy water from the small minority with private connections.
The unprecedented population increase in Kampala City is responsible for increased demand for employment, land for housing, social services and infrastructure that have stimulated spatial urban development and industrialization. Though the current population increase can be seen as positive development since it could potentially cause an increase in employment opportunities, housing stock, social services and infrastructure expansion, such development is however occurring in a haphazard manner largely dominated by the urban informality in most of the sectors.
Featured Attractions
The Kampala Kasubi Tombs is a burial place of the four Kings of Buganda also traditionally known as Kabakas. The Namirembe Cathedral is one of the major tourist attractions in Kampala which harbors a bulk of Christian population. Kampala Bahai Temple is the spiritual home to the African Bahai community. Apart from all these attractions, the not-to-miss ones are the Uganda Crafts 2000 Limited, Mengo Palace and the Kabaka’s Lake.
Kampala Hills: Kampala is an exotic location set amidst the hills. One can visit these natural landmarks like the Kasubi Hill, Mengo Hill, Kibuli Hill, Namirembe Hill, and Lubaga Hill.
You can enjoy all these sights and attractions fervently when you take a city tour around Kampala or book an affordable tour in Uganda. Here are the must visit attractions in Kampala;
- Namirembe Anglican Church
- Sacred Heart Church Rubaga Cathedral
- Old Kampala also known as the “New Mosque” or “Gaddaffi National Mosque” – Part of its construction was contributed by the Libyan President. This is an excellent addition to the skyline of the city. The attractive soft hued building is seen from various locations of the city.
- Kasubi Tombs – A UNESCO world heritage site in Kampala that is the burial ground for four past Kabakas of Uganda as well as the Royal Lineage
- The Uganda Museum
- Makerere University – One of the Oldest Universities in East Africa. So far four East African presidents are graduates of the prestigious Makerere University.
Find time to visit the Uganda National Museum – Preserved to tell that story of where Uganda has been, its beauty and heritage. The stories are amazing! And those guys know their history-trust me!. Every time I visit, I enjoy the sound of the Ugandan drums and other musical instruments but the stories behind them too.
Kampala is residence to the government of Uganda- housing nearly 90% of government ministries and facilities. It houses Makerere University, one of Africa’s finest established universities, the Uganda National Theatre and the Kasubi Tombs – a sacred burial ground for the kings of Buganda, which is also gazetted as one of UN World Heritage Sites.
It also hosts one of the only seven Baha’i Houses of worship in the world. Known as the Mother Temple of Africa, the Baha’i Temple is located in kikaya hill on the outskirts of the city.
The MTN Kampala International Marathon is fast becoming ‘the event’ in the region. This annual event has attracted over 25,000 professional athletes, corporate runners and enthusiast in the past and continues to attract more every year. It follows a challenging route through the seven hill of the city. The proceeds go towards humanitarian causes whose thyme is different each year.
With all these and more to offer, this city is a wonderful place to visit, not just from the tourist point of view- come see for your self!