Lubaga is a prominent place in Buganda Kingdom. We guide you to all you need top know about history and attractions of Lubaga area in Kampala City and Buganda Kingdom. Lubaga is a hill in Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. Its comes from the Luganda word okubaga, a process of “planning” or “making a structure stronger” while constructing it. For example; okubaga ekisenge means to strengthen the internal structure of a wall while building a house.
The Lubaga Division (often misspelled as Rubaga) is one of the five divisions of Kampala. This is the cultural centre of Kampala.
Mayor: Owek. Nabbossa Ssebugwawo
Must See Attractions in Lubaga Division
1. Kasubi Tombs
The Tombs are located on the Kasubi hill, about 5 Kilometres along the Kampala-Hoima road.
The site is the burial place for Buganda Kings. Four former Kings are buried here, namely; Mutesa I (1856-1884), Mwanga (1884-1897), Chwa Daudi (1899-1939) and Mutesa II (1939-1966).
The site comprises a main mausoleum, which is the largest in Africa, other smaller mausoleum used as residences for caretakers and regalia for various former Kings of the Buganda Kingdom.
The main attractions by visitors to the site include the meticulous architectural design of the mausoleum and other huts, viewing of regalia and pictures of former Kings and stories and history about Buganda kingdom.
2. Kabaka’s Lake
This is the largest man-made lake in Uganda. The Lake is situated near Ndeeba township, about 5 kilometers west of the City center, along the Kampala-Masaka road. It was dug on orders of Mwanga, a former king of Buganda. It is considered sacred by the 52 clans of Buganda whose leaders organize to keep it clean. Some cottages for accommodation have been established at the site. Other attractions at the lake include boat racing, excursions and some catering services.
3. Rubaga and Namirembe Cathedrals
Rubaga Cathedral is located on Rubaga hill, about 5 Kilometers north-west of the City center. The Cathedral is the seat of the Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda.
Rubaga hill was formerly a palace of Mutesa I but was donated to Bishop Hirth by his successor Mwanga in 1889. The Cathedral was opened on 31st October 1925.
Namirembe Cathedral is located on a Namirembe hill adjacent to Rubaga hill. The hill is the seat of the Archbishop of the Anglican Church (Church of Uganda).
The hill was donated by Mutesa I to the early missionaries in 1877. A Church was built at the site in 1880s and the Cathedral was built 1890.
Both Cathedrals are an attraction for religious pilgrims. Other visitors are attracted by the architectures of the cathedrals and the panoramic view of Kampala from the hills.
4. Other Attractions and Prime Recreational Areas
Other attractions in Rubaga Division include the Stones at Katwe, where the Kabaka’s sorghum is said to have been ground and the first Mosque to be built in Uganda found at Nateete, the “Twekobe”(Buganda Parliament) House at Mengo, the Lubiri (Palace) near Katwe and the late Cardinal Nsubuga’s shrines at Kabuusu. Prime recreational areas in the Division include various small sports centers and night clubs at Nateete, Mengo and Nakulabye.
5. Crafts and Souvenirs Industry
There were five independent crafts and souvenirs shops in the Division, at the time of the survey. These were: Sikyomu Drum Makers at Busega, Kasubi Tombs Crafts shop at Kasubi, Musigula Mbugo and Andrew’s Artistry.
6. Hotel and Catering Industry
The Division had 60 accommodation business establishments. The outstanding accommodation establishments, at the time of the survey, included Namirembe Guest House, Back-Parkers Hostel and Campsite and Pope Paul IV Memorial Center.
Location of Lubaga Hill in Kampala City
Lubaga is bordered by Mengo to the east, Namirembe to the northeast, Kasubi to the north, Lubya to the northwest, Lungujja and Busega to the west, Nateete to the southwest Mutundwe to the south and Ndeeba to the southeast.
The coordinates of Lubaga are:00 18 11N, 32 33 11E (Latitude:03029; Longitude:32.5529). The distance, by road, from the central business district of Kampala to Lubaga is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi).
History and Background Information about Lubaga
The hill served as location of one of the palaces of the King of Buganda from the 18th century. Kabaka Ndawula Nsobya, the nineteenth (19th) Kabaka of Buganda, who ruled from 1724 until 1734, maintained his capital on Lubaga Hill. The palace on Lubaga Hill was used to plan military expeditions by Buganda’s generals. However, the late 19th century, during the reign of Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira, the palace caught fire and was abandoned.
When the Catholic White Fathers came calling in 1879, they were allocated land nearby. Eventually they were given land on Lubaga Hill itself where they built a cathedral, beginning in 1914 which was completed in 1925.
However, the early missionaries had problems pronouncing the word Lubaga, as it is correctly spelled. They instead pronounced it with an “r” as in Rubaga. In Luganda, there is no word that starts with an “R” or “X” or “Q”. Other Bantu languages from western Uganda and the African Great Lakes Area however, do have words starting with “R”.
Overview and General information about Lubaga Hill
Lubaga hill was the location of the main palace of Kabaka Muteesa I who ruled Buganda between 1856 and 1884. The palace was struck by lightning and was rebuilt on neighboring Mengo Hill.
The first Roman Catholic missionaries to arrive in Buganda were Frenchmen, Father Pierre Lourdel Monpel and Brother Amans, who settled near the hill in 1879. As the Catholic Church took root in the country, the missionaries were allocated land on Lubaga Hill.
The construction of St. Mary’s Cathedral on Lubaga Hill took place between 1914 and 1925, with the assistance of monetary contributions from Roman Catholic congregations abroad. Later, the missionaries also built a hospital and a nursing school on the hill.
Today, Lubaga remains the seat of the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Uganda. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala. The remains of the first African Catholic bishop in Uganda, Bishop Joseph Nakabaale Kiwanuka and those of the first African Catholic Cardinal, Cardinal Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga are kept in the Catholic Mission on the hill.
Top places and Major Landmarks in Lubaga
- St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral
- Residence of the Cardinal of Kampala
- Residence of the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese
- Lubaga Hospital – A 300-bed community hospital administered by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala
- Lubaga Nurses School
- Lubaga Miracle Center – A Pentecostal Congregation Church
- Pope Paul VI Memorial Community Center
- Headquarters of Lubaga Division – One of the five (5) administrative divisions of the city of Kampala.
- Lubaga Campus of Uganda Martyrs University, whose main campus is at Nkozi in Mpigi District.