Fondly known as the green city in the sun, Kampala is the capital city of Uganda popularly known as the city on many hills. Kampala is the administrative and commercial capital of Uganda. The bright modern feel of this bustling, cosmopolitan city reflects the ongoing economic growth and political stability that has characterized Uganda since 1986. Unlike other African cities Kampala is the most peaceful city where you can find no racism and any form of discrimination. Foreigners mix freely with the locals given that Kampala is the most hospitable and welcoming town in Africa.

Sitting at an altitude of 1180m above sea level Kampala enjoys the best climatic conditions in the world with pleasant annual temperatures averaging 17 degrees Celsius (minimum) and 27 degrees Celsius (maximum). The city centre is a modern metropolis adorned with attractive vegetation and surrounded with great parks. There are lots of hotels, restaurants and hostels for people who wish to visit the country. Kampala now has a good mix of people from all over the world and this has brought new varieties of food to Kampala. To the south of the city is Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest fresh water lake and the source of the longest river in the world, the River Nile. Kampala’s architecture which is a mixture of the modern, colonial, African and Indian origin make it a superb heritage destination with cultural, religious and historical sites and monuments spread over the 21 hills. There are lots of hotels, restaurants and hostels for people who wish to visit the country. Kampala now has a good mix of people from all over the world and this has brought new varieties of food to Kampala.

HISTORY OF KAMPALA
The history of Kampala, like that of other cities in the world is wrapped in both folklore and historical facts. The City is truly African with its name Kampala originating from a Kiganda saying, “Kasozi Kempala” meaning the hill for impala antelopes that dominated the major grasslands, swamps and wetlands that existed in the area.
Before the arrival of the British, the Buganda King, the called Kabaka had chosen the area that was to become Kampala as one of his favourite hunting grounds. The area was made up of numerous rolling hills and lush wetlands. This made it an ideal breeding ground for various antelopes – particularly the impala. The animals grazed on the slopes of the hills and came down to the swamps for water. When the British arrived they called the area the Hills of the Impala. The word Impala is used to describe a particular species of antelope (Aepyceros melampus) common across Africa.
The tag “the hill of Kampala however specifically referred to the hill on which Captain Fredrick Lugard, the Colonial Viceroy of the Imperial British East African Company established his base in 1890. Now known as Old Kampala, this hill would be the administrative headquarters of the company and Uganda until 1894 when the company collapsed and the administrative headquarters of the British protectorate were transferred to Entebbe. In 1892 upon attainment of independence, Kampala regained its status as the capital city of Uganda. From a hamlet occupying 19 square kilometres, Kampala had spread to seven hills by the time of independence earning the tag “the city of Seven hills”

UNIQUE HILLS OF KAMPALA
Kampala grew from seven hills Mengo, Rubaga, Namirembe, Makerere, Kololo, Nakasero, and Kampala (Old Kampala). Today greater Kampala stands on at least 21 hills. These prominent hills are characterized by at least one unique attraction. Below are the different attractions on various hills of Kampala.

WHAT TO SEE IN KAMPALA

KASUBI TOMBS
KABAKA’S LAKE
BAHAI TEMPLE
NAGGALABI CORONATION GROUNDS
MENGO PALACE
INDEPENDENCE MONUMENTS
UGANDA MUSEUM

LIFE IN KAMPALA

Kampala is a lively town to visit. Once you reach Kampala you should not get worried in this green city of Africa. There are wide choices of dishes ranging from Italian Pizza to traditional African specialties that are worthy to taste! In Uganda each region has its own favourite local cuisine. The most common traditional foods in the central region is the matooke (green bananas) the staple food for the Baganda.  Other local favourites are sweet potatoes, cassava and yams, normally served with beef or chicken stew, groundnut (peanut) sauce, beans or peas. From restaurants various snacks can be availed to you. These include Chapatti, Samosas (meat or vegetable pie) and Mandazi (similar to Donuts). During your visit to Kampala, don’t forget to taste the local tasteful “Rolex” simply prepared in each suburb in Kampala. Kampala has plenty of good specialty restaurants. These include Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Korean, American as well as chain owned hotels.