Kampala travel guide , Kampala tourist information uganda

Kampala’s Hills

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:20:21 +0000

Kampala was once believed to be on 7 hills however due to the rapid growth of the population, the city has expanded as well and is now covering more than the original seven hills. Fondly known as the green city in the sun, Kampala 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. Its roads are its two million inhabitants.
Sitting at an altitude of 1,180m above sea level, it enjoys pleasant weather, with annual temperatures averaging 17 degrees Celsius (minimum) and 27 degrees Celsius (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.
The history of Kampala, like that of many other cities in the world, is wrapped in both folklore and historical facts.
According to 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 (king) 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 Empire builders arrived at the end of the 19th century.
“Impala” was the English name for that particular antelope family. So the British referred to the area as the “hill of the Impala”, which the Baganda translated into Luganda as “kasozi k’empala” and eventually “kampala”. Kasozi means hill.
So whenever the kabaka left the palace to go hunting his favorite game, royal courtiers would say “the kabaka has gone to Kampala to hunt”, thus the name was born.
The tag “the hill of the Impala”, however, specifically referred to the hill on which colonial victory, Captain Fredrick Lugard, of the Imperial British East African Company, established base in 1890.
Now known as Old K’la, this hill would be the administrative headquarters of the company (and Uganda) until 1894 when the administrative headquarters of the British Protectorate were transferred to Entebbe.
In 1962 upon attainment of independence, it regained its status as the capital of Uganda. From a small hamlet occupying 19 square kilometers, it had spread to seven hills by the time of independence, earning the tag “city of seven hills”.

The original seven hills are: Mengo, Rubaga, Namirembe, Makerere, Kololo, Nakasero, and Kampala (Old K’la).
Today, greater Kampala stands on at least 21 hills. We take you through the prominent hills that form the modern day capital and their signature to the city’s political and socio-economic life, starting with the original seven.

About Kampala

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:54:01 +0000

Kampala is the largest city and administrative capital of Uganda.It is located in the south central part of the country close to the shores of lake victoria.Formerly a hunting ground for Kabaka Muteesa 1 and capital of the Buganda kingdom uptill the 20th century,the rolling hills and lush wetlands,made it an ideal habitat for game most notably the impala which is a clan in the antelope family;thus taking on the name Kampala. Kampala is located on 68 sq miles of land,5 sq miles of water and lies 3,904 feet above sea level. She was initially believed to lie on 7 hills which strecthed from Kasubi where the Baganda kings are buried to Impala hill where Fredrick Lugard a British army soldier and explorer built a fort to suppress French resistance hence “city on 7 hills”.It was later discovered that Kampala was seated on more than 20 hills.Kampala has got a mainly cosmopolitan population of about 1.5million people and a very rich historical heritage and background which is exuded by the museum and numerous heritage sites in and around kampala. Her facilities are very accessible to all because of the proximity of the numerous restaurants, shopping malls, bars and hang-outs, hospitals, universities, parks, churches, local markets, theatres which cannot be mistaken and are readily available because of the hospitabilty of the residents and beautiful climate. Kampala is run by the Kampala City Council Authority – KCCA which is headed by the Executive Director – Currently Miss Jennifer Musisi with the mayor Hajji Erias Lukwago and is served by Entebbe International Airport which is situated 39kms from the city centre.

Kampala To Be Run By Government

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:17:09 +0000

The Parliament of Uganda has passed a bill – the Kampala City Bill which was first tabled in 2009 into law, making the central government in charge of running the city. This means the Kampala City Council – KCC has been nullified allowing the formation of a new government body, the Kampala City Council Authority with the powers to manage the City’s roads, sewers, transport system and street lights. The Authority also has been given the mandate to borrow money without prior consent from the parliament of Uganda, a position Honorable Nandala Mafabi vehemently opposed arguing that it is now a government. As part of the new law a Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority has also been formed with the mandate of managing the Capitals infrastructure development and will consist of professionals such as Association of Architects, lawyers and medical personnel. In the law the president will have the powers to appoint an Executive Director whose qualifications are equivalent to that of a government ministry permanent secretary virtually removing all powers from the Mayor’s office.

The bill which has been shelved for quite some time having first been tabled in early 2009 was brought back to the floor of parliament by the Local Government Minister Hon. Adolf Mwesige on Tuesday 2rd November and was eventually enacted into law.
The law curtails the powers of the Mayor leaving the office with only a ceremonial role as the management and running of the Kampala City is going to be done by the Executive Director. It also allows the police to take their orders directly from the Executive Director other than from the IGP – Inspector General of Police.

The law was as a result of the poorly managed city roads, street lights, garbage in which the blame has been squarely placed on the now defunct Kampala City Council and the mayor Al Haj Nasser Sebbaggala.

Casinos In Kampala Uganda: A List Of Kampala Casinos

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:24:08 +0000

Since gambling is becoming bigger and more Ugandans are getting to know about commercial gambling,a series of casinos have been set up inaddition to the already existing ones in the recent years to cater to the rising demand.The casinos proximate in the city centre are:

Kampala casino being the pioneer casino that has stood the test of time.It is located on Pan Africa house 2^nd floor Kimathi avenue and is open from noon to 6am daily and has got 20slots and twelve table games which are seated on 4304 sq uare foot of gaming space all at your disposal.
Simba Casino which is located at the garden city shopping centre
Pyramids casino which is the executive wing of Kampala casino and is situated on Yusuf Lule road about ¼ sq kms from Kampal golf club.
Mayfair casino which is located on Kisozi close off Kyagwe road.
Grand casino on crested towers building right in the middle of the city centre.

Theatres In Kampala Uganda: Kampala Theatres

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:16:28 +0000

When it comes to Ugandan drama exhibitions, there is no better place to experience this more than the theatres.There are four majors theatres within Kampala namely:

National Theatre which is situated opposite the small parliament gate on Dewinton road.Here one would not miss shows,plays and the famous jam session on Mondays where top Ugandan artists strut their stuff.Also not to be missed is the various crafts shops that lie within the theatres’ premises.
La Bonita Theatre which is home to the reknown drama actors posse the “Ebonies”.La Bonita doubles also as a cinema and is right adjacent to Christ the king church and is next to Emirates Airline’s Kampala Office on Kimathi Avenue.
Bat valley theatre along Bombo road after Kobil petrol station on the way to Wandegeya-Makerere.
Pride theatre located on Namirembe road as you head to the Old Kampala mosque.

For more information on Uganda national theatre

Cinemas In Kampala City

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:57:22 +0000

Even though the movie industry in Uganda is developing in dribs and drabs,it does not paint the whole cinema picture in Uganda seeing that Ugandans love movies(both local and Foreign) and are ardent cinema visitors.Within the city centre alone are 3 cinemas:

Cineplex Garden city
3^rd Floor Garden City Mall
P.O Box 7873,Kampala,Uganda,
Yusuf Lule Road.
Plaza Cinema
Tel:+256 41 236379
Kampala, Plot 2/2B Kampala Road.
La bonita Cinema

Across junction of Kimathi Avenue and Colville street,

Next to Emirates head Office Kampala;very popular for local movie premierres.

For more information visit:

Kampala Airlines: Flights Bookings and Air Travel

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:45:43 +0000

Jetting into Kampala has never been easier.The availability of coherent airlines has seen an upsurge in the number of flights jetting into Uganda and Kampala as a whole.For bookings the following airlines can be contacted:

Great Lakes Airways, Entebbe
P.O. Box 935, Entebbe, Plot 59, Circular Road,
Phone	+256-41-322004
Alt. Phone	+256-77-717000
Fax	+256-41-320652
email	gla@infocom.co.ug

Kenya Airways (Uganda Office), Kampala
P.O.Box 6969 Kampala, Uganda, Kimathi Avenue
Phone	+256-41-344304
Alt. Phone	+256-41-233068
Fax	+256-41-259472
Website	Http://www.kenya-airways.com
email	kqsales@africaonline.co.ug

United Airlines (U) Ltd, Kampala
P.O Box 24600, Pan Africa House, Kimathi Avenue, Below Kampala Casino
Phone	+256-41-349841/2
Alt. Phone	+256-41-320516/9 Ext.3372
Fax	+256-41-349843
email	united@infocom.co.ug

Air France, Kampala
Plot 3 Parliament Avenue, 3 Parliament Avenue Kampala
Phone	+256-41-342907
Fax	+256-41-342995

Egypt Air, Kampala
P.O Box 7207 Kampala, Grand Imperial Arcade shop 8
Phone	+256-41-341276
Alt. Phone	+256-41-233960
Fax	+256-41-236567

SN Brussels Airlines, Kampala
P.O.Box 3966 Kampala, Uganda, Plot 1 Lumumba Avenue, Rwenzori House
Phone	256-41-234200
Alt. Phone	256-75-734200
Fax	256-41-342790

British Airways Kampala, Kampala
P.O Box 3464 Kampala, Plot 4 Ternan Avenue
Phone	+256-41-257414
Fax	+256-41-259181

Eagle Air, Kampala
P.O Box 7392 Kampala, Plot 11 Portal Avenue
Phone	+256-41-344292
Alt. Phone	+256-41-342207
Fax	+256-41-344501
email	eagle@swiftuganda.com

Ethiopian Airlines, Kampala
P.O.Box 3591 Kampala, Uganda, Kimathi Avenue, United Assurance Building
Phone	+256-41-345118
Alt. Phone	+256-41-345577
Fax	+256-41-231455

Air Tanzania, Kampala
P.O Box 2160 Kampala, Plot 1 Kimathi Avenue, United Assurance Building
Phone	+256-41-234-631
Alt. Phone	+256-41-234-673
Fax	+256-41-234-673

Air Uganda Kampala Sales Office: Tel: +256 (0)412 165 555 Email: info@air-uganda.com Fax: +256 (0)414 258 267 Jubilee Insurance Centre, 1st Floor, Podium Level, Plot 14 Parliment Avenue, Kampala, Uganda. P. O. Box 36591, Kampala, Uganda.

Emirates Air, Kampala
P.O.Box 33124 Kampala, Uganda, Kimathi & Colville Street Junction
Phone	256-41-349941
Alt. Phone	256-41-349942
Fax	256-41-340076

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Plot 14 Parliament Avenue,

Phone:+256 41 338001.

email:bluebiz.ug@klm.com

For your safari packages to Uganda.

World Travel:

St Lucia Resorts – Feel the luxury, experience the enchanting beauty of nature untouched by civilization of the Caribbean at St Lucia Resorts.

Kampala Real Estate Agencies

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:34:04 +0000

The ever appreciating value of land and growing population in Uganda,has led to the rapid development of the real estate industry in Uganda with real estate dealers/agencies playing a leading role.The protagonists in the real estate industry in Uganda are:

GABE International
Tel: +256 – 782 658 124
Tel: +256 – 070 667 242
Website: www.ugandapropertyagents.com
Info: info@ugandapropertyagents.com
Key Africa Limited
P.O Box 588 Entebbe,Uganda
Tel:+256 712 926762
EMAIL: info@eapropertys.com
WEBSITE: www.eapropertys.com
Akright Projects Limited
3^rd floor Impala House,Plot 13/15 Kimathi Avenue
P.O Box 71806 Kampala,Uganda.
www.akright.biz
Jomayi Propert Consultants
Plot 20 Martin road,Old Kampala
P.O Box 4477 Kampala,Uganda
Tel:+256 414 344847
www.jomayi.co.ug
Hossana Real Estates
www.hossanarealestates.com
Lakeside Town Uganda
www.lakesidetown.com
Riverside Acres Ltd
www.riversideacres.co.ug
Uganda Realtors
www.ugandarealtors.com
Eastlands Agencies
P.O Box 12043 Kampala,Uganda
www.eastlands.co.ug
Kamugasha Agencies
www.kamugasha.com
Nyumanet
www.nyumbanet.com

Quick Uganda Real Estate links

Kampala Travel Agencies and Tour Operators

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:21:53 +0000

Uganda bears the moniker “pearl of Africa” for a manifold of reasons; but most notably for the climate and vegetation coupled with the wildlife.Uganda has got a rich and diverse wildlife sector and to monitor this is the government of Uganda through the ministry of tourism which works hand-in-hand with various organisations like the Uganda Tourism Board,Uganda Wildlife Authority all in an effort to ensure the efficiency of the tourism sector.

Tourism however ,is a service enjoyed by the people and to ensure this are the tour and travel operators.There are various reputable tour and travel operators in Uganda namely:

African Secrets Limited

Plot 1001 Sussie House

Gabba Road,Nsambya

Kampala,Uganda

Website:http://www.africansecrets.ltd.ug

www.ugandagorillasafariandtours.com

Email:info@africansecrets.ltd.ug

AA Safaris and Tours Ltd

ROOM F4 Sarah Mall
Martin road Old Kampala
P.O.Box.28921
Kampala, Uganda.

Travelust African Safaris
P.O.Box 27943, Kampala | 2244 Buziga road, Buziga Hill
Tel: +256 – 41 – 578209 , +256 – 41 – 578209, +256 – 41 – 578209 +256 – 41 – 578209, + 256 – 772 – 419238
Fax:+ 256 -41- 255288

African Pearl Safaris
Ground Floor

Impala House, Plot 13

Kimathi Avenue
P.O. Box 4562

Kampala, Uganda

Tel. +256 (0)41 233566

Africa Destination Safaris
23694 Kampala Uganda
Plot 30 Kisaasi
Uganda East Africa
+256-777559967
+256-773388506

Access Africa Safaris
Tel:+256-312 265 737
Mob: +256-392 842 042 or +256-782 455 902
Uganda Office: Plot 4 Pilkington Rd.
P.O. Box 26829 Kampala.

Abeam Safaris & Travel
Nakawa- Ntinda rd near Eureka Accommodation
Cel : 256-712413350/0782331688
24 Hrs :0772502713

Onyx Safaris
P.O box 28486 Kamukamu plaza
+256-782617841 /773109706

Great Lakes Safaris
Suzie House 1st Floor Annex Building
Tel: 041 267153 , 0772-426368

Churchill Safaris and Travel
Sir Albert Cook Road/
Natete Wakaliga Road
Between Ivy’s Hotel &
Caltex Petrol Station.
Tel: +256 41 341815
Fax: +256 41 253976
24 hrs: +256 772 671 285

Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Tel:+256-312 265 737
Mob: +256-392 842 042 or +256-782 455 902
Uganda Office: Plot 4 Pilkington Rd.
P.O. Box 26829 Kampala.

For tour packages such as

Kampala Hotels

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:01:38 +0000

Kampala being the capital city to the “Pearl Of Africa”only means that to leave up to her reputation,she needs to be able to offer accomodation to the over-flowing visitors she receives.And Kampala has lived up to the challenge by providing the best accomodation facilities any city can offer in kind of hotels,lodges ang guest houses.The most notable ones are:

Hotel	Location	From City Center	Rating
Sheraton	Ternan Avenue	Center	5 star
Serena	Kintu Road	Center	5 Star
Grand Imperial	Speke Road	Center	4 Star
Equatorial Hotel	William Street	5 Minutes Drive	4 Star
Golf course	Yusuf Lule Road	5 Minutes Drive	5 Star
Cassia lodge	Buziga Hill	10 Minutes Drive	3 Star
Shangri-La hotel	Baker Road	Center	3 Star
Speke hotel	Plot 7 – 9 Nile Avenue	Center	4 Star
Speke resort Munyonyo	Munyonyo	12 Kilometers	5 Star
Emin Pasha	Plot 27 Akii Bua Road	4 Minutes Drive	3 Star
Imperial Royal hotel	Plot 7 Kintu Road	Center	5 Star
Le bougainviller	Plot 1-7 Katazamiti Road Bugolobi	5 Kilometers	3 Star
Hotel Africana	Plot 2-4 Wampewo Avenue	10 Minutes	3 star
Protea hotel	Plot 4 Upper Kololo Terrace	8 Minutes	3 Star
Ruch hotel	Plot 3 Kintu Road	Center	3 Star

Sheraton hotel Kampala situated ideaaly in the heart of the city on Ternan avenue in Nakasero an exlclusive suburb in Kampala.It’s a 5 star hotel with the best in restaurants,bars and accomodation.
Serena hotel Kampala located on Kintu road in the heart of the city.It is a 5 star hotel and offers world class services in all departments.
Grand Imperial hotel is a 4 star hotel located on Speke road within the city centre.It is right across the Sheraton hotel Kampala.
Equatorial hotel is situated right in the heart of the business and city center. It is just a 5 minutes drive from the city centre and is on William street.
Golf course hotel/apartments offers 5 star accomodation and is located on Yusuf Lule road. It is corollary of the Golf club of Kampala.
Cassia lodge loated on Buziga hill close tolake Victoria.It offers good accomodation and conference facilities and is only a 35 minutes drive from Entebbe International Airport.
Shangri-La hotel located on Baker road,Victoria avenue right opposite the Sheraton hotel at the famous Kampala club.Offers a very safe and serene sorrounding.
Speke hotel is a star hotellocated on Plot 7-9 Nile avenue.It was built in 1920’s and given the name of a British explorer Hannington Speke.The citycentre is awalkable distance and it is in the same sorrounding as hotels Sheraton and Grand Imperial.
Speke resort Munyonyo situated 12 kilometres from the city centre.It offers an oceanic ambience because of it’s strategic location on the shores of lake Victora and offers exquisite spacious accomodation,cuisines and conference facilities.
Emin Pasha hotel situated on Plot 27 Akii Bua road in Nakasero.It is seated on 2 acres of land has 20 rooms and a self cointained flat not to mention a well stocked wine bar and restaurant.
Imperial Royal hotel is located on Plot 7 Kintu road on Nakasero hill nearby landmarks Serena and Spekehotel Kampala. Unveiled in 2007 for CHOGM,it has 275 rooms including 10 suites and an extensive underground prking that accomodates upto 600 cars.
Le bougainviller hotel is found 5 kilometers from the city center. It referred to as “a peaceful place in a buzzling city”It’s meditterranean flair is bound to send chills down one’s spine.It is situated on Plot 1-7 Katazamiti road,Kiswa,Bugolobi.
Hotel Africana which is a 3 star hotel on Plot 2-4 Wampeewo avenue just 10 minutes away from the hussle and bussle of the city.It has got a magnificient panoramic view of the city’s sjyline and hill tops.
Protea hotel located ina serene sorroundings of Kololo just 5 minutes from the city centre on Plot 4 Upper Kololo terrace.It is rated a 4 star hotel with good confrence facilities.
Ruch hotel on Plot 3 Kintu road in a quiet sorrounding.It has got 67 rooms and is strategically located between Sheraton and Serena hotels.

Eco hotels in rwanda

For a list of Kenya hotels as well as Uganda hotels . You can also find out more about packages like gorilla trekking in our Uganda tour packages. hotels in Tanzania