Jinja regains its glory

The world's longest river, the Nile, starts its life and 6,670km journey from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea in Jinja. It is a Mecca of sorts for the world's topmost leaders, starting with India's iconic independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, whose ashes were brought here.

The Jinja pier.

Jinja Mayor Majid Batambuze

The Agricultural trade show at Jinja, matooke

The queen of England came to Jinja in 1954 although at the time Kampala was hostile territory to the British monarch because Kabaka Edward Mutesa II was confined in the UK following his deposition and deportation by Her Majesty's government. The Queen was here to commission the Owen Falls Dam. To expand the electricity output of the dam to capacity, the World Bank extended its very first loan to Uganda, even before the country attained independence to become a member of the World Bank. 

Queen Elizabeth in Jinja during her visit in 1954

Queen Elizabeth II, On shores of Owen Falls Dam at Jinja in 1954

King Faisal of the most powerful Islamic country, Saudi Arabia, also came to Jinja 45 years ago to see the source of the Nile. He was accompanied by his host, President Idi Amin.   

President Amin with King Faisal at the Source of the Nile, Jinja 22.11.1972

Owen falls Dam Jinja 1974

 

Jinja had over the years of colonial rule and after grown into the country's industrial hub, and was home to many Indian businesses and families. Following their 1972 expulsion, the town's economic activities slumped, dwindled and all industries virtually shut down by the late seventies. 

Aerial view of the Jinja Police barracks

Aerial view of Jinja Central Market and its surroundings

Some of the old buildings along mainstreet in Jinja

Over the last two decades or so, Jinja has been experiencing a re-birth, but in a different direction altogether. Major infrastructure development has taken place in form of two new power dams, Nalubale and Budhagali, reconstruction of the roads and the marvelous new suspension bridge that hangs half a kilometre over the waters of the Nile. 

The new Source of the Nile cable stay bridge

Jinja town Main Street January 1999

Jinja Mainstreet in Jinja town

But the most significant economic activity now is tourism. Being only 80 kilometres from the capital city of Kampala, a lot of domestic tourism takes place in Jinja. Many former residences have been redeveloped into hotels, as have new ones been built. Jinja is now arguably one of the most pleasurable places to be in Uganda.

One of the sections at Nalufenya road constructed under USMID project in Jinja 2018

Part of the aerial view of Jinja

Eng. Zikusooka way in Jinja