Kampala is one of the most charming cities in Africa. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Kampala is a favourite for many holiday makers and vacationers. The city enjoys good climate, and the people in Kampala are friendly. Kampala is the commercial and administrative capital of Uganda and is fondly known as the “Green City in the Sun”. This city is spread over twenty hills with its architecture being a blend of modern, colonial and Indian cultures. It lies to the south the world’s second largest fresh water Lake Victoria. History of Kampala.
Where Does Kampala Get Its Name?
The history of this beautiful African city is wrapped in both historical facts and folklore. On the basis of the folklore this city was dominated by swamps and hills which form natural breeding grounds for Impala and other members of the antelope family. The Kabaka or King of Buganda ruled this place and turned the hills into his hunting grounds.
When the British arrived here at the end of the 19th century, they named this place as the “Hill of the Impala” because this place was frequented by large numbers of Impala’s which belongs to the antelope family. Due to the blending of the names this place got its current name called Kampala.
History
The origins of the Kampala city go back to 1891 when Kabaka of Buganda had his court on Rubaga and Mengo hills. The town that grew from colonial and royal resting place achieved municipal status in 1950 and became a city’ in 1962. Today, as you stand on the hills of Kampala, the City provides magnificent evergreen trees, gently disrupted by red-tiled villas, green iron-roofed bungalows, as well as taller modern city profiles that give way to attractive views of the surrounding country side and nearby Lake Victoria.
In 1890, Frederick Lugard constructed a fort for the British East Africa Company. Kampala grew up around that fort. In 1962, Kampala replaced Entebbe as the national capital. Much of the city was destroyed after the 1979 overthrow of Idi Amin’s dictatorship and the subsequent civil war. The city grew as the capital of Buganda, from which several buildings survive, including the Kasubi Tombs (built in 1881), the Buganda Parliament, the Buganda Court of Justice and the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site. Severely damaged in the Ugandan-Tanzanian War, the city has since been rebuilt. Manufactures include furniture and machine parts. Agricultural exports include coffee, cotton, tea, and sugar.
Kampala is Uganda’s largest urban center, a city surrounded by seven hills. It is the capital city of Uganda involved with different tribes who always come from far distant places of Uganda for business activities. The seven hills include Rubaga, Old Kampla, Mulago, Kololo, Kibuli, Namirembe and Makerere. Although Kampala seems to have out grown its title of the city of seven hills the original seven summits remain important topped by distinctive landmarks of religious, cultural and colonial significance.
The history of Kampala has both folkore and historical facts. According to the folklore, swamps and hills dominated much of the area where it presently stands. This made it an ideal habitat for impala and other members of the antelope family. The animals grazed on the slopes of the hills and came down to the swamps for water. The palace of the kabaka of Buganda, located on the landscape rich in impala herds. The king thus turned it into his hunting grounds. Folklore merged with history when the British referred to the area as the ‘hill of impala’ which was translated in Luganda as ‘kasozi k’empala. So whenever the king left the palace to go hunting his favorite game, royal people could say “the kabaka has gone to kampala to hunt thus the name was born. It is on this Old Kampala hill that Fredrick Lugard established and put up his fort.
Kampala city has gone through a series of changes – many of which have been more of destruction than development. This has been due to our unfortunate history of civil wars and mismanagement. However, in the past years a number of changes have been taking place in Kampala and we are glad to present you a glimpse of how Kampala city looks like today.
Kampala lies at an altitude of 1,155 meters from Lake Victoria. Kampala was founded in the 19th Century, when the king of Buganda had his seat in the hills. The name “Kampala” originated from a British Lord Captain Frederick Lugard on which he built his fort.
Originally, the city was limited to a small area of about 50 square kilometers. Due to population increase today from people of different ethnic backgrounds, the city’s geographical boundaries stop at Najjanankumbi on Entebbe Road, River Mayanja on Masaka Road, Banda on Jinja Road, Mpererwe on Gayaza Road, Busega on Mityana Road and Kawempe on Bombo Road.
Kampala city a commercial and administrative capital of Uganda spread over more than twenty hills. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Its architecture is a mixture of the modern, the colonial and the Indian. It enjoys pleasant whether with annual temperatures average 17c minimum and 27c maximum. To the south is Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest fresh water lake and the source of the longest river in the world, the river Nile.
Kampala is a city that simply buzzes with life. There is much to do, first of take in the atmosphere of the city, the people, the shop, the activity in the market area of Nakesero. The National museum has much to offer regarding Uganda’s past. Entertainment centers range from theatre to cultural performances. As you are in Kampala, expect to see the kasubi tombs, Uganda museum, Nommo art gallery, National theatre, Cathedrals that is Namirembe and Rubaga, the Uganda parliament. Within kampala are various supermarkets where you can buy a bottle of water like Shoprite, Aponye, Mega Standard and many others.
However, besides the historical hills that make Uganda’s cities to travel to a good place to be, there are other tourist attraction sites that are fantastic for example the Lake Victoria beaches for relaxation and the lovely hotels and restaurants for your stay.
Today, Kampala is one of the most modern African cities and awakens in many areas the European feeling that is, many shops and hotels, bars and international restaurants. Kampala is also known as one of the safest cities in Africa. Kampala and its surroundings offer sightseeing, city walks and day trips opportunities.
Administrative Point
Captain Fredrick Lugard of the Imperial British East African Company established a base in Kampala in 1890. This place served as the administrative headquarters of the company till 1894. After that when the administrative headquarters of the British Protectorate were transferred to Entebbe. Uganda got independence in 1962 and Kampala regained the status as the capital of Uganda.
With time this city has expanded tremendously and is regarded as one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Previously it was known as the “City of Seven Hills” namely Mengo, Rubaga, Namirembe, Makerere, Kololo, Nakasero, and Kampala (Old K’la). At present this city has expanded and is spread around 21 hills.