Distance from City Centre: 5 Kms
Top Attractions: St. Mary Cathedral Lubaga, Lubaga Hospital, Kampala Archbishop cemetery, Super FM offices
Lubaga hill lies on the western side of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. Lubaga hill sometimes spelt like ‘Rubaga’ forms an important part in the history of Uganda, Buganda and religion in Uganda. Lubaga hill is one of the seven hills of Kampala and it is also a significant hill among the Catholics in Uganda due to the fact the hill is home for Lubaga Cathedral – the most distinguished church among Catholics.
Due to Lubaga hill’s strategic location and the excellent view it commands from all corners, in the 18th century, Lubaga hill served as site of one of the palaces of the Kings of Buganda and the Kabaka Ndawula Nsobya established his permanent base on this hill in 1728 – 1734.The Palace on Lubaga Hill was used to plan military expeditions by Buganda’s generals.
However, in the 19th century, during the reign of Kabaka Muteesa I, the Lubaga palace caught fire and subsequently was abandoned. Following the call of Christianity to be preached in Uganda by King Mutesa 1, the Roman Catholic Missionaries were allocated land at the Lubiri Hill in 1879 to act as their base where they also built the St. Mary’s Cathedral, beginning in 1914 which was completed in 1925.
Today, Lubaga hill remains the seat of the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda.
Lubaga hill is bordered by other popular hills and trading centres making up Kampala like; Mengo hill to the east, Namirembe hill to the northeast, Kasubi palace to the north, Lubya hill to the northwest, Lungujja and Busega trading centres to the west, Nateete trade area to the southwest, Mutundwe hill to the south and the Kabaka’s Lake & Ndeeda trading centre to the southeast.
Features of Lubaga hill are listed below;
- St. Mary’s Cathedral built from 1914 to 1925
- Lubaga Hospital – A 300-bed community hospital administered by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala
- Super Fm radio headquarters
- Lubaga Bishops Cemetery. Like; Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga R.I.P: 1966 – 1990, Archbishop Joseph Kiwánuka R.I.P.: 1960-1966,Archbishop Louis Joseph Cabana R.I.P.: 1953-1960
- Residence of the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese
- Headquarters of Lubaga Division – One of the five (5) administrative divisions of the city of Kampala
- Lubaga Campus of Uganda Martyrs University
- Lubiri senior secondary school
Getting there:
Lubaga hill lies just 5 Kilometres away from Kampala city centre. Mini-Bus taxis can be got from the new taxi park and along Benedict- Kiwanuka Street outside the old taxi park. Take taxis that run from Kampala to Lungujja, Kosovo area which connect via Lubaga hill.
The Lubaga Cathedral is open to tourist and believers from 08:00am-08:00pm.
The Cathedral is a 30-minutes walk from Kampala city