Kampala, the capital of Uganda is a rapidly expanding cosmopolitan city with a population of 1,208,544 people. The city takes its name from Kasozi ke’mpala, “the hill of antelopes” and its origins go back to 1891 when the Kabaka of Buganda had his court on Rubaga and Mengo Hills one of the 21 hills that now make up Kampala.
In spite of its rapid expansion, evidenced by the modern structures, red-tiled villas and iron roofed bungalows that have come up in recent years; Kampala has largely retained its traditional charm and remains one of the greenest cities in Africa. The city boasts of all the modern trappings ranging from international banks, five-star hotels, first class restaurants, state-of- the-art conference facilities to modern communications infrastructure. The cosmopolitan nature of Kampala is reflected in the wide choice of eating-places to be found in the city ranging from continental type facilities to Chinese and Indian restaurants.
About Kampala
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. It is divided into five divisions namely: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, and Lubaga Division. Currently, Kampala city is managed by Kampala Capital city Authority (KCCA), a body which assigned to improve the welfare of the city. Kampala city is governed by KCCA under the executive director and the Mister of Kampala plus the Lord Mayor. The board (KCCA) is responsible for installing security lights, cleanliness of the city, collect taxes, setting up business centres, improving health and education among others.
Nearby districts include Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi which are growing at the greatest speed. The government is proposing to expand the city to part of Mukono and Wakiso though the proposal is not yet fulfilled at the moment, let’s wait in the near future.
The origin of the name “Kampala”
The name Kampala was derived from the antelope species known as Impala – before the arrival of the British colonists, the Kabaka of Buganda had chosen the zone that would become a hunting reserve. The area now Kampala was composed of rolling hills with grassy wetlands in the valleys was home to several species of antelope, particularly impala.
When the British arrived in Uganda, they called it “Hills of the Impala”. The language of the Buganda, Luganda, adopted many English words because of their interactions with the British. The Buganda translated “Hill of the Impala” as Akasozi ke’Empala – “Kasozi” meaning “hill”, “ke” meaning “of”, and “empala” the plural of “impala”. In Luganda, the words “ka’mpala” means “that is of the impala”, in reference to a hill, and the single word “Kampala” was adopted as the name for the city that grew out of the Kabaka’s hills.
People in Kampala are hospitable and welcomes visitors. Kampala city is estimated to host over 3 million people. Additionally, Kampala is very safe to walk around and you are free to move around Kampala even at Night – visit night clubs, casinos, café, theatres and so on.
Transportation in Kampala:
Transportation of people from one place to another is governed by bicycles, motor cars, boda-boda and railway which mostly transport traders and their commodities.
Things to See in Uganda
Major tourist attractions/ places of interest in Kampala:
The Uganda Museum, it is where historical materials, traditional attires, weapons among others are kept. In other words, it is a historical museum.
Kasubi tombs, it is where the remains of the Kings of Buganda were laid to rest. It is still the burial place for the Buganda Kings. Kasubi Tomb is a major tourist site in Kampala. However, these were extensively damaged by fire in March 2010. Good news is that, the site is under reconstruction to meet the world standards of historical sites!
Nommo art gallery, It is Art and craft center. Many skills can be obtained from here.
National Theatre, Music, Dance and drama center. Meet talented and experienced musicians, actors and actresses here. Enjoy music, dance and drama in National Theatre. All artists gather here for meetings and whenever one partner dies, artists mourn from here.
Cathedrals, Rubaga and Namirembe – they are worshipping places situated in the city.
Gaddafi National Mosque, it is situated at Old Kampala hill. You can also climb up the stairs of the tower and enjoy the 360° view on Kampala. It is believed that the mosque was built by the former late president of Libya, Canal Mwama Gadaffi.
Bahai Temple situated at the hill in Kikaya zone.
Parliament of Uganda and independence monument situated at the entrance of the parliamentary building.
Local markets like owino, Nakaserero, Wandegeya, Kasubi among others. In such markets, fruits, vegetables, food stuffs among others are sold.
The pride Theatre, this is where music, dance and drama actors and actresses perform from to entertain visitors/ tourists.
Much of the city was destroyed after the overthrow (1979) of Idi Amin’s dictatorship and subsequent civil war. With the coming of the Museveni regime in 1986, Kampala enjoyed relative stability, and foreign investment provided funding for the rehabilitation of the city’s infrastructure and the restoration of services. Kampala is the seat of the East African Development Bank and Makerere University, Kakasero state House among others.
Kampala Hotels
Kampala has an impressive range of properties, from internationally recognized five-star brands at the top end of the scale to homely, price-conscious, family-run guesthouses at the other. In between, there is a range of properties including good quality business hotels, secret hideaways, classy boutique establishments and those run by organizations such as churches.
Other towns in Uganda include
- Entebbe, home of Uganda’s International Airport and a number of hotel resorts and
- Jinja, the second industrial town of Uganda and the source of the Great River Nile.
There are many other small upcoming towns in different parts of the country.
Kampala Today
The reality of Kampala city:
Kampala city is an industrial centre, water, soda, beer, textile, food processing industries among others are found. Products like food, beverages, furniture, and machine parts among others are produced. Agricultural exports include coffee, cotton, tea, and sugar among others.
Kampala is the historical centre, Uganda museum is where historical materials or attires of Ugandan are stores. Kasubi tomb is where the Kings of Buganda are buried, Independence monument, the Queen’s clock, the Buganda’s King palace among others.
Kampala is an administrative centre, presidential, parliamentary building, offices of the governments/ headquarters are found.
Kampala is an entertainment centre, theatres, night clubs, Casinos among others are found. Relax with Ndere troup at Lugala, National theatre, and pride theatre among others.
Kampala is a sports centre with National stadiums like Nakivubo stadium, sports centres like Lugogo cricket ground, Luggybay grounds among others.
Kampala is an educational centre with schools and high institutions of learning like Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Nakawa institute of learning, Makerere Business institute, YMCA, Kampala international University among others.
Kampala is a financial centre with financial institutions like Forest bureaus, banks, micro finances among others. Banks like Centenary Bank branches, Stanbic Bank branches, Pride Micro Finance among other financial institutions.
Kampala is a tourist centre, places like Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s lake, Kasubi Tombs among others are visited by tourists.
Kampala is the a centre of embassies – American embassy along Ggaba road, Rwanda Embassy in Kamwokya, British console in Kamwokya, Burundi Embassy in Kololo among others.
Kampala is a residential centre – with settled areas like Kololo, Makindye, Kamwokya, Natete among others. Rental houses and residential are found in many parts of Kampala.
Kampala is a recreation centre – cinema halls, bars, and night clubs among others.
Kampala has Airstrips like Kololo
It is also a training ground for military guards like police officers, army officers among others.