Kampala’s historical sites a stone-throw from city
Popularly known as the the city of seven hills, Kampala is also the home to a variety of eye-catching historical sites. Talk of the tombs and shrines, prison ditches, forts and architectural marvels, all a stone-throw away from the city centre.
By Titus Serunjogi
Popularly known as the the city of seven hills, Kampala is also the home to a variety of eye-catching historical sites. Talk of the tombs and shrines, prison ditches, forts and architectural marvels, all a stone-throw away from the city centre.
Top on the list are the Kasubi Tombs, the Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine and the Uganda Museum.
Bagalayaze Tombs, 8km north of Kampala on Gayaza Road
These are the tombs of the mother of the tyrant King Mwanga (the one who killed the Uganda martyrs). Her heiress still lives close to the tomb. She has several servants who are entrusted to teach visitors about the barkcloth, how to make it, how to make local dishes like luwombo, how to recycle paper and how to use herbs to cure diseases. Book a lesson beforehand.
The 400-year-old tortoises at Kisingiri House, Mengo
These are, doubtless, the oldest and most beloved of all the pets in town. They are said to have been brought into the country from the Seychelles in the 1940s. But everyday ever since then, children, expatriates, tourists have been flocking to the place to have a glimpse and, perhaps, leave them a fruit for lunch. Even the late Idi Amin Dada used to pay the pets homage. The house where they live is one of the oldest in the city, built by colonial masons in 1896. The house is still intact. Mengo is about 4km west, out of the city.
Baha’i Temple in Kanyanya
The only Baha’i Temple in Africa is an architectural marvel. It is about 6km north of Kampala, off Gayaza Road.
It has nine doors, nine corners, nine pillars... all of which support a large dome. Anyone is free to get in here as long as they can observe silence. Even the slightest sound is bound to echo through the dome. The temple is surrounded by lush green gardens, where people can have a panoramic view of the city and also listen to the over 60 bird species that flock the place.
Katerekke Prison Ditch
This ditch is all that is left of all the treachery that was the order of the day, about 100 years ago. It was here that King Kimera lured his brothers and sisters and abandoned them. He knew all too well that the princes and princesses would never come out to challenge him from the throne. Indeed the imprisoned royals later perished in a disastrous fire. Visitors can also be entertained to cultural dances by the locals in the neighbourhood.
Katerekke village is a kilometre out of Nsangi, about 17km on Masaka Road, south-west of Kampala
Mackay’s Cave in Nateete
This was the haunt of Alexander Mackay, an Anglican missionary who translated part of the Bible into Luganda. He owned a printing press that has now been moved to the Uganda Museum. However, there is still a hundred years old mural that still shows Mackay, Christ and a couple of ministering angels on the side. There is also a 100-year-old well that was dug by the missionary. Nateete is about 7km on Masaka Road, on the south-western side of Kampala.
Popularly known as the the city of seven hills, Kampala is also the home to a variety of eye-catching historical sites. Talk of the tombs and shrines, prison ditches, forts and architectural marvels, all a stone-throw away from the city centre.
Top on the list are the Kasubi Tombs, the Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine and the Uganda Museum.
Bagalayaze Tombs, 8km north of Kampala on Gayaza Road
These are the tombs of the mother of the tyrant King Mwanga (the one who killed the Uganda martyrs). Her heiress still lives close to the tomb. She has several servants who are entrusted to teach visitors about the barkcloth, how to make it, how to make local dishes like luwombo, how to recycle paper and how to use herbs to cure diseases. Book a lesson beforehand.
The 400-year-old tortoises at Kisingiri House, Mengo
These are, doubtless, the oldest and most beloved of all the pets in town. They are said to have been brought into the country from the Seychelles in the 1940s. But everyday ever since then, children, expatriates, tourists have been flocking to the place to have a glimpse and, perhaps, leave them a fruit for lunch. Even the late Idi Amin Dada used to pay the pets homage. The house where they live is one of the oldest in the city, built by colonial masons in 1896. The house is still intact. Mengo is about 4km west, out of the city.
Baha’i Temple in Kanyanya
The only Baha’i Temple in Africa is an architectural marvel. It is about 6km north of Kampala, off Gayaza Road.
It has nine doors, nine corners, nine pillars... all of which support a large dome. Anyone is free to get in here as long as they can observe silence. Even the slightest sound is bound to echo through the dome. The temple is surrounded by lush green gardens, where people can have a panoramic view of the city and also listen to the over 60 bird species that flock the place.
Katerekke Prison Ditch
This ditch is all that is left of all the treachery that was the order of the day, about 100 years ago. It was here that King Kimera lured his brothers and sisters and abandoned them. He knew all too well that the princes and princesses would never come out to challenge him from the throne. Indeed the imprisoned royals later perished in a disastrous fire. Visitors can also be entertained to cultural dances by the locals in the neighbourhood.
Katerekke village is a kilometre out of Nsangi, about 17km on Masaka Road, south-west of Kampala
Mackay’s Cave in Nateete
This was the haunt of Alexander Mackay, an Anglican missionary who translated part of the Bible into Luganda. He owned a printing press that has now been moved to the Uganda Museum. However, there is still a hundred years old mural that still shows Mackay, Christ and a couple of ministering angels on the side. There is also a 100-year-old well that was dug by the missionary. Nateete is about 7km on Masaka Road, on the south-western side of Kampala.