Standing on Mengo Kampala Hill, viewing the magnificent Kampala, the Capital City of the Pearl of Africa, where else in Kampala can one enjoy to see the sun rising from Jinja. Mengo is like no any other place in Uganda.
Location of Mengo area in Kampala City Uganda
Mengo is bordered by Kampala Hill to the north, Nsambya Hill to the east, Kibuye to the southeast, Ndeeba to the south, Lubaga Hill to the west and Namirembe Hill to the northwest. The coordinates of Mengo Hill are:00 18 06N, 32 33 58E (Latitude:0.3015; Longitude:32.5660). The peak of the hill is at 1,210 metres (3,970 ft) above sea level.
Mengo Hill is the location of the main palace (known as Lubiri or Mengo Palace) of the Kabaka (King) of the Kingdom of Buganda, a monarchy that dates back almost 800 years.
Mengo has been the main palace since it was first constructed in 1885 by Danieri Mwanga II Mukasa, the 31st Kabaka of Buganda. Measuring 4 square miles (10 km2) in size, the palace is ringed by a six-foot brick fence and has a small airstrip within its walls.
History of Mengo Kampala Hill in Buganda Kingdom
Mengo Hill has played an important role in Ugandan political and religious history. “Mengo” is a Lugandaword for grinding stones.
Legend has it that ancient migrant communities from Ssese Islands who settled on the hill used these stones to grind their food.
It is here that the Buganda Agreement of 1900 was signed between the Kabaka of Buganda and British colonial officials establishing the Uganda Protectorate.
The history of Mengo Hill is also entwined with that of adjacent Namirembe Hill, the seat of the Anglican Church of Uganda, because of the monarchy’s close association with the Church of England.
The Bulange, which houses offices for the Kabaka and the Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament), is located at the base of Namirembe Hill.
The building was constructed between 1953 and 1958 by Sir Edward Muteesa II, at a cost of US$5 million; a colossal sum at that time.
Also located on Namirembe Hill is Mengo Hospital, a private, non-profit community hospital administered by the Anglican Church in Uganda.
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Attractions and Landmarks on Mengo Hill
Top Attractions: Kabaka’s Mengo Palace, Kabaka’s Lake, Mengo Supreme Court, Bulange (Buganda Parliament), Nabagereka Primary school (Queen’s primary school)
Top Attractions in Mengo include:
- The main palace of the King of Buganda, the Lubiri.
- Bulange, the The Parliament Building of the Buganda Parliament (the Lukiiko).
Moved outside of the palace to the adjacent Namirembe Hill, to accommodate the size of a modern building in 1958.
The building also houses the offices of the Kabaka of Buganda.
- The Kabaka’s Lake, a man-made lake approximately 5 acres (2.0 ha), for the personal use and enjoyment of the Kabaka; located just outside the main palace entrance.
- Mengo Hospital – A 300-bed private hospital, affiliated with the Church of Uganda; located at adjacent Namirembe Hill
- The Joint Clinical Research Center – Located adjacent to the palace, the medical research center is housed in the Butikkiro, the former official residence of the Prime Minister of Buganda (Katikkiro).
This building is one of Buganda’s assets that have yet to be returned to the Kingdom.
- The main campus of St. Lawrence University (Uganda) – Located close to the Kabaka’s Lake.
- The Buildings of the Uganda Court of Appeal
- Namirembe Hill – Adjacent to and immediately northwest of Mengo Hill.
It is the location of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the most prominent Anglican place of worship in Buganda.
Lubiri
Lubiri (or Mengo Palace) is the royal compound of the Kabaka or king of Buganda, located in Mengo, a suburb of Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
The original Lubiri was destroyed in the May 1966 Battle of Mengo Hill, at the culmination of the struggle between Mutesa II and Milton Obote for power.
Just minutes away from Namirembe Hill is Mengo Hill, home of the renowned Mengo Palace (Lubiri lwe Mengo) of the King (Kabaka) of the Kingdom Buganda, an ancient traditional African monarchy that dates back almost 800 years.
Mengo hill has been the home of the main palace since it was first built in 1885 by Kabaka Daniel Mwanga II, the 31st King of Buganda. Covering 4Sq miles (10 Km2) wide, the Mengo palace is fenced by a 6feet brick and tile wall and has a small airstrip inside.
Mengo Hill has played a significant role in the religious and political history of Uganda till date. It is believed that, ancient migrant communities from the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria settled on this hill and used Stones “Mengo” to grind their food. The hill then served as a base for signing the Buganda Agreement of 1900, signed between the Kabaka of Buganda represented by his regents and Her Majesty the Queen of Britain Special Commissioner, Sir Henry Hamilton Johnston, K.C.B.
The history of Mengo Hill is also knotted with that of adjacent Namirembe Hill, the seat of the Anglican Church of Uganda, because of the monarchy’s close association with the Church of England. Mengo hill has since been the venue of numerous significant occasions, including the sitting of Buganda’s Parliament which is opened by the Kabaka at the start of the year.
Key features of Mengo hill are listed below:
The Bulange building was built between the years 1953 and 1958, by RIP: Sir Edward Mutesa II, at a cost of US$5 million. This is the administration station of the King (Kabaka) of Buganda. This building contains the offices for the Kabaka, clan heads, offices of CBS fm Radio and the Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament). The Bulange is situated at the base of Namirembe Hill adjoined by a straight road running from Mengo Palace.
The Kabaka’s Lake is also situated on Mengo hill near the Kabaka’s Palace. This is the biggest man-made lake in Uganda with history dated back in 1880s. It was dug on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga, who wanted to link this Lake to Lake Victoria, so that he could sail from Mengo hill to Munyonyo area where he used to carry out his hunting expeditions. The Lake harbors several species of birds and a car washing bay on the Ndeeba trading centre side.
The Hill also offers a perfect view of Kampala City centre, Namirembe Hill and Old Kampala hill which are part of the seven hills of Kampala.
Mengo Magistrates court and the Mengo Kabaka’s Market
Getting There:
Mengo Hill lies three kilometres from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Mini-Bus taxis can be got from both, the old and new Taxi Parks. They run in both directions.
The Katwe – Ndeeba – Nateete Road which is the best route. The Namirembe – Natete route also offers the opportunity to see the Bulange, Namirembe Cathedral and the Mengo hospital.