Things to do in Kampala, Central Region: The Best Sights & Landmarks

August 14, 2021 Trinity Boughner

Near the banks of Lake Victoria, Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is a lively city with a long history. Before the British, the city was the capital of the Buganda Kingdom, and remains so to this day. The city sits on several hills, each housing an important government or religious building. Kasubi Hill is the home of the Kasubi Tombs, a sacred burial ground of Buganda Kings. The Uganda Museum sits atop Kololo Hill, and features a hands-on collection of traditional musical instruments.
Restaurants in Kampala

1. Gaddafi National Mosque

Old Kampala Road Plot 23/25, Kampala Uganda +256 782 837536
Excellent
49%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 618 reviews

Gaddafi National Mosque

Famously known as the "Gaddafi Mosque" The Colorful structure with its magnificent features of Art was built and designed based on a mixture of Cultures of Arab, European, and an African Touch. Built on Old Kampala Hill, which is One of Kampala City's Seven Hills. It can also be viewed from all Corners of Kampala and one cannot go without a glimpse of it. The Mosque is Open to all People regardless of their Creeds, Political affiliations, Ethnic backgrounds, Cultures and Nationalities. This majestic work of art also houses the Headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council which is the National Faith Based Umbrella Organization for all Muslims, their Organizations and Institutions in Uganda with a Core responsibility to reach out to all People at all Levels. The Mosque Complex consists of a Large Mosque Hall that is usually open to all Muslims for Friday Prayers and also for other Islamic Festivals. It can accommodate over 35,000 People. This makes it as one of the biggest Mosque in East, Central, and Sub-Saharan Africa. It also has a standard Conference Hall, Library, An Fm Radio Station, a hospital, and a University College among other Units. On arrival, report to the Tourism Information Office desk. Where you are required to pay your Entrance Fees, Ladies will be veiled as per the Islamic custom. This is a Guided Tour; hence you will be introduced to your guide who will take you around and Inside the Mosque to enjoy an Ambience of its exterior and interior. On entering the Mosque Main hall, enjoy its Architectural designs. Climbing the Tower / Minaret gives you the best view of Kampala City at 360 degrees with its original surrounding Seven Hills. The Mosque also stands on the Original Spot where British first hoisted their Flag which signified Uganda as British Colony. OFFICIAL OPENING HOURS TO TOURISTS AND RESEARCHERS; Monday - Thursday: 09:00am - 06:00Pm Friday: 09:00am - 11:30am re-Opened after the Friday Prayers from 02:00 - 06:00Pm Saturday - Sunday: 09:00am - 06:00Pm. Remains Open on Public Holidays Follow us on our Face book Page; Gaddafi Mosque Uganda Please note; All Visitors are required to respect the Islamic Regulations, Norms and Values. Thank You Management Tourism Office Uganda National Mosque

Reviewed By LaraJB - Durban, South Africa

The mosque is very impressive and we had a wonderful tour. The entrance fee was reasonable and they can provide head scarves etc if needed. You have plenty of time on the tour to ask questions and take photos and it provided a good overview of the city of Kampala. The walk to the top of the minaret was well worth it for the view but be prepared for a lot of stairs! Tour took approx 1 hour

2. Rubaga-Kathedrale

Mutesa Road, Kampala Uganda
Excellent
45%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
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4.5 based on 62 reviews

Rubaga-Kathedrale

Reviewed By allertstar

This Cathedral is located on Lubaga Hill and maybe that’s reason it gets a lot of attention from far away. The façade has a small resemblance of Notre-Dame in Paris, albeit the entrance of Rubaga Cathedral has only one. The Cathedral has also a painting of the Ugandan Martyrs. In times of Covid, the Cathedral is doing a great job keeping the social distance.

3. Uganda Martyrs Shrine

Kampala Uganda http://www.ugandamartyrsshrine.org.ug/
Excellent
53%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
14%
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4.5 based on 147 reviews

Uganda Martyrs Shrine

Reviewed By SD2019 - Johannesburg, South Africa

Well built, with well constructed grottos to serve as interpretations of the fateful events that happened when the Christian converts were killed for their new religion (then). Very peaceful and serene.

4. Baha'i Temple

Kikaya Hill, Kampala Uganda +256 782 065126 http://www.bahai.ug/thebahaihouseofworship.html
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
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4.5 based on 220 reviews

Baha'i Temple

Reviewed By atupelem2018 - Lilongwe, Malawi

I had a friendly guide .The grounds are well kempt,serene..was eye opening as well about the Baha'i faith.This is the only temple in Africa...

5. Kabaka's Palace

Lubiri Ring Road, Kampala Uganda
Excellent
26%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
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4.0 based on 130 reviews

Kabaka's Palace

Reviewed By atupelem2018 - Lilongwe, Malawi

This was one of the most amazing tours ..The guides were good story tellers.Impressed that the Bagandas preserved their history so well

6. Namirembe Kathedrale

Namirembe Hill Side Road, Kampala Uganda
Excellent
41%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
23%
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4.0 based on 74 reviews

Namirembe Kathedrale

Reviewed By stevenhshin1 - Brooklyn, United States

This particular cathedral holds a very special place in my heart because of the magical experience I had within. It's absolutely wonderful. The cathedral is somewhat close to the new bus station in the heart of the city, and yet strangely, up there atop that hill where the cathedral lies, it is almost like a monastery. Serene, peaceful, a sanctuary where the winds gently blows through the trees and where only the quiet presence of historical Christian martyrs accompanies you. There is a hundreds of years old graveyard of these martyrs in front of the cathedral. I stood atop that hill watching white clouds of smoke from the city slowly drifting into the sky as I forgot the frantic rush I came from only half a hour earlier. I also managed to sneak inside a few hours after service had ended while there were two music lessons going on. As Mozart played softly in the background, I walked through the interior of the cathedral. It was beautiful. Large stained glass windows filtered in the late afternoon sunlight where dust motes were suspended, all fragile in that golden matrix. It felt like a holy place. There is a lot of history contained within that cathedral. From the graveyard outside to various parts of the cathedral inside. It's supremely beautiful for not only the architecture but also for it's location, and part of the reason why the Ugandan elite use the cathedral for ceremonies and weddings. I believe you can request a tour of the area for either a fee or a request for a donation at the end.

7. Kasubi Tombs

Kasubi Hill, Kampala Uganda http://www.kasubitombs.org/
Excellent
21%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
11%
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8%
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3.5 based on 225 reviews

Kasubi Tombs

Ancient Ugandan royalty is buried at this site.

Reviewed By kiwamike

I pride in our kingdom, i pride in my King. Long live Ssabasajja. May the good Lord grant you health and wisdom

8. Temple SSDM Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal

10 Snay Bin Amir Rise, Kampala Uganda
Excellent
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50%
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3.5 based on 2 reviews

Temple SSDM Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal

9. Independence Monument

Nile Avenue, Kampala Uganda +256 779 589692
Excellent
18%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
41%
Poor
10%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 112 reviews

Independence Monument

10. Kibuli Mosque

Kibuli Road Road Mukwano Road,, Kampala Uganda

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