Leading cultural sites in Uganda

While in Uganda, there are various cultural sites that a visitor can enjoy while on a cultural safari to Uganda. These cultural sites are;

• Kings Palace- Bulange Mengo: Lubiri (Mengo) is the palace of the Kabaka (king of Buganda).This palace was built in 1885 and it is estimated to cover 4 square miles. Opposite the palace, there is a spired Bulange, which acts as Buganda’s parliament building. It is free for someone to enter this parliament.

• Bahai Temple: Bahai Temple which is found in Uganda is the only temple in Africa for the Bahai faith. The beautiful architecture plus well tented gardens that stretch over 30 hectares are some of the attractions at the site. This temple is found on top of Kikaya Hill in Kampala. The temple has nice-looking windows which filter beautiful light into it.

• Kasubi Royal Tombs (Masiiro): This is a world heritage site that receives the highest number of cultural visitors in Uganda. This site experienced retaliation when it was burnt by unknown people. However, it is being reconstructed by Baganda people in order to restore their historical trace. Kasubi Royal Tombs is where kings of Buganda are buried and it is highly respected.

• Kabaka’s Lake: This is found near Mengo and it is Buganda Kabaka’s Lake. The lake covers about 5 acres just on the outskirts of Kampala. This lake was created during the regime of Kabaka Mwanga (in 1880) mainly for his enjoyment inform of fishing and swimming. The Kabaka had a plan of extending this lake to lake Victoria with an aim of creating an escape corridor during times of war, but this was not achieved. A cultural safari to this historical lake comes with other tourism activities like birding and spot fishing.

• Namugongo Martyr’s Shrine: This is an historical site in Uganda which brings back the memory of the 30 Ugandan Catholics and Protestants who were burnt to death. These martyrs were burned on 3^rd June 1889 on the orders of the Kabaka. A historical building was constructed at the site and it contains all the details about every martyr. Every 3^rd of June, both Catholics and Protestants make holy pilgrimages to this site and it is a public holiday in Uganda.

• Naggalabi (Buddo Coronation Site): This site is found on the hilltop at Naggalabi Buddo and it referred to as the historical heart of Buganda. Naggalabi site is where the Kindom of Buganda was birthed and it’s where every Kabaka is crowned from. While at Nagali Buddo, a visitor can visit the main sacred sites and even literally walk in the footsteps of the present and past Kabakas of Buganda.

• Rubaga & Namirembe Cathedrals: Namirembe Cathedral was first established by the protestant missionaries in early 1903.It was later struck by lightning and was reconstructed in 1919.Rubaga Cathedral was established in 1880 and it is found on Rubaga hill that overlooks Kampala.

• Ndere Centre-Kampala: This cultural centre is situated in Kampala amid beautiful tropical gardens and it has a collection of Ugandan culture. At the site, there is a craft shop, a Café and an outdoor stage where cultural performances are presented from. The Ndere Troupe comprises of cultural dancers, musicians and singers from across Uganda.

• Katareke Prison Ditch: This is an historical prison that tells the story of a brutal and violent Buganda History. It speaks of a powerful Buganda King who imprisoned all his sisters and brothers in the early 1888.He later brutally murdered them for fear that they might dethrone him. Currently, the prison is cultural site that reminds people about this harsh regime in Buganda.

• The Uganda Museum: This is the only place in Uganda where a diverse collection of natural-historical and traditional life collections of Uganda’s cultural heritage is exhibited. This historical site was established in 1908 with an aim of preserving Uganda’s history. Among the historical equipments that are found in the Museum include; historical hunting equipments, musical instruments, weapon entomology and archaeology.