Page 72 - Jan - March 2023 Edition

Kampala

Kampala is the captial city of Uganda. It is in the South Central part of the country close to the shores of Lake Victoria.
The City is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye
Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division.

LOCATION? WEATHER? transportation: boda-boda, matatu
Kampala District lies within the Because Uganda is located near and special hire taxis. The fastest
Kingdom of Buganda, in Central the middle of Africa, close to the method are the boda-boda’s;
Uganda. The district is bordered equator, the weather in Kampala motorcycles that you see all over
by Wakiso District to the south, (the captial city) is warm throughout city. You won’t be in Kampala long
west and north by Kira Municipality they year. Although travel is before being propositioned by a
to the east. The co-ordinates of possible throughout the year, there Boda driver. If you’re not interested,
the district are: 00 19N, 32 35E. are certain months that are more a simple “no” will get them to leave
comfortable than others because you alone. You can get almost
POPULATION? of rain. anywhere on the back of one for
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics On average, the hottest months of between 1,000 and 2,000 USh, but
(UBOS) estimated the mid-year the year in Kampala are October make sure you agree on the fare
population of Kampala was and February, during which time before the ride begins.
1,659,600 in 2011. the daily temps will generally hover
in the upper 80’s and the lower
SOME HISTORY? 90’s. The coldest months of the OUT AND ABOUT?
Mutesa I, the Kabaka (king) of year in Kampala on average are There is a lot to do while in Kampala
Buganda, had chosen the area June and July, during which time and there is no shortage of decent
that was to become Kampala as the daily high temps will generally restaurants. Eating out in Kampala
one of his favorite hunting grounds. reach the lower 80’s. This temp can range from eating in cheap
The area was made up of hills and comparison shows that there is little and cheerful “hole-in-the-wall” joints
wetlands. It was an ideal breeding variation from month to month. to the more expensive and upmarket
ground for various game The two rainy seasons are from restaurants. There is a wide variety of
particularly a species of antelope, March through May, and from the food available in Kampala, although
the impala (Aepyceros Melampus). end of September through January. on the whole vegetarian and vegan
When the British arrived in the area food can be difficult to find at
they called one of the hills “The Hill ATTRACTIONS? restaurants. In an instance like this it
of the Impala” due to the large The Uganda Museum. is better to cook your food yourself.
presence of impala. The native Kasubi tombs, where the
Baganda used this reference in remains of the Kings of Buganda There are a lot of bars and nightclubs
their local dialect (Luganda) - are buried were a major tourist site. in the city. There are also a number
“Akasozi K’empala”. It is worth However, these were extensively of cinemas and an ice-skating rink
noting that it is not unusual for damaged by the fire in March 2010 and ten pin bowling centre.
Luganda to adopt the soundings of and currently being rebuilt. Kampala has eight casinos and
English words into the language - Nommo Art Gallery. around eleven shopping malls,
for example a car in Luganda is National Theatre. some of which have recently been
“emotoka” (a motor car). So Cathedrals - Rubaga and built.
K’empala formally became Namirembe.
“Kampala” with repeated usage, Gaddafi National Mosque (in
and when the British colonial rulers Old Kampala).
needed a name for the city they Bahai Temple, atop Kikaya Hill.
adopted this reference. Kabaka’s Palace. For more information on Kampala,
Traditionally, Kampala was a city please refer to the pages
of seven hills, but over time it has GETTING AROUND? on Kampala in the magazine.
come to have a lot more. There are three methods of public

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