Jinja City Hub
Explore the adventure capital of Uganda (Image by Oksana - courtesy of Adrift )
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Welcome To The Eye Magazine Directory
Explore the adventure capital of Uganda (Image by Oksana - courtesy of Adrift )
Jinja is a vibrant town with a rich history and a wealth of attractions, making it ideal for a weekend out of town and an essential stop on any tour of Uganda. and the gateway to the source of the River Nile, and often referred to as the Adventure Capital of East Africa. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a history buff or just want to relax by the water, Jinja offers something for everyone. The annual Nyege Nyege Festival attracts music lovers from across Uganda and around the world to the banks of the Nile at Jinja.
Jinja lies in southeastern Uganda, approximately 87kms by road, east of Kampala. The town is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, near to the source of the Nile River. The nearby Owen Falls Dam regulates the flow of the White Nile and generates electricity. Jinja is the largest metropolitan area in Jinja District, and is considered the capital of the Kingdom of Busoga. Elevation: 1171 meters. Latitude: 00 27N. Longitude: 033 11E
Before the founding of the town by the British colonial government in 1907, Jinja was a small fishing village on a key long-distance trade route. The area near Ripon Falls was called the “Place of (Flat) Rocks” referring to the large rocks on both riverbanks, from where small boats could safely launch and cross the river. These natural rock formations moderated the flow of water from Lake Victoria, making it a strategic crossing point. Simply put, "Jinja" means "rock," derived from the word Ejjinja / Amayinja for in Luganda, the language of the Baganda; and Edinda in Lusoga, the dialect of the Basoga people on the eastern bank of the Nile. The British administration adopted the local name "Jinja" for the town. From 2010, Indian traders moved into Jinja. The Uganda Railway linked Kisumu, a Kenyan town on Lake Victoria, with Mombasa. Between 1954 and the late 1970s, Jinja was the industrial heart of Uganda, thanks to the Nalubaale Power Station at the Owen Falls Dam. In 1972, all Asians were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin and the abandoned local industries and much of Jinja's architecture fell into ruins as a direct result.
Most activities take place in Bujagali and Kalagala. But don't worry about staying on "the wrong side of the river," boats and boda bodas make it easy to move between the two riverbanks and its wealth of activities.
Avoid the heavily congested Jinja Road through Mukono and take the longer (but more relaxing) routes via Gayaza Road (ideal for Kalagala and Kayunga) or Nyenga Road to the south.
Opened in 2018, the Source of the Nile or New Jinja Bridge, is an impressive addition to the city’s infrastructure.
The Owen Falls Dam is the first in a series of dams across the River Nile that generate electricity for Uganda and neighbouring Kenya. (It’s illegal to photograph infrastructure such as bridges).
Source of the Nile: take a boat ride to see the source of the world’s longest river. A viewing platform and visitor centre are under construction at the site’s gardens. See the monument dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, some of whose ashes were scattered in the Nile “for peace to flow along its length.”
Main Street craft shops: some of the country’s best priced souvenir shops.
Nile Brewery: take a tour to taste one of Uganda’s most popular beers.
Kyabazinga Royal Palace, Bugembe: historical seat of the Busoga Kingdom.
Railway Museum at Jinja Railway Museum: showcasing the history of Uganda’s railway with original artefacts.
Swaminarayan Temple: a colourful building and important cultural site.
Jinja is renowned for its adventure activities. Visitors can choose from:
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