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Kampala is the capital and economic center of Uganda. It is located on Lake Victoria, at an altitude of over 1 100 meters. With about 1.5 million inhabitants, Kampala is also the cultural center of Uganda, where the parliament and the seat of government are located.
Kampala had its origins in the 19th century, when the Bugandan kings established their seat on the hills. The name “Kampala” goes back to the Impala antelopes that were found on the hills. In the Baganda language, Kampala means “hill of antelopes”. The Buganda kings had domesticated antelopes and let them graze on the largest hill. In the 19th century, the British had built a fort on the hill “Old Kampala”, which attracted more and more people. The place became the capital of the British protectorate. It grew rapidly and extended to seven hills. Each of these seven hills had a certain significance: the three leading religious communities, the Catholics, Protestants and Muslims, settled on the Rubaga, Namirembe and Kibuli hills. Kololo and Nakasero formed the center for public Administration and the residential areas of the employees. Makerere developed into a university campus and health facilities were concentrated in Mulago. This division has survived to this day.
Kampala, the capital of independence
The village became a British administrative municipality in 1947, which was declared a city in 1962. With the independence of Uganda in 1962, Kampala was designated the capital of free Uganda. In the first decades, the city grew steadily. With Makerere University, it had the best university in East Africa and developed into one of the most modern centers in East Africa.
Kampala – One of the most beautiful cities in Africa
In the immediate vicinity of Lake Victoria, Kampala is located at an altitude of 1,155 meters. With about 1.5 million inhabitants and the seat of government, Kampala is the undisputed center of Uganda. An impressive skyline, streets with a European flair, friendly people and a vanishingly low crime rate make a visit to the emerging capital a real highlight of your trip to Uganda.
Kampala originated in the 19th century, when the Bugandan kings were based here on the hills. The name “Kampala” goes back to the British envoy Captain Frederick Lord Lugard. At that time there were numerous impala antelopes on the hills. The short form “Kampala” developed from the Lugandan translation for “hill of the Impala”, Kasozi ka Impala. This name referred to the hill of today’s Old Kampala, on which Lugard built his fort.
Once established, the fort attracted more and more people. The city grew rapidly and expanded to 7 hills. Today, the origins of historical Kampala are considered to be: Mulago, Kololo, Kibuli, Rubaga, (Old) Kampala, Namirembe (Mulago), Makerere.
Each of these seven hills had a predominant function: the central institutions of the three leading religious communities (Catholics, Protestants and Muslims) settled on the Rubaga, Namirembe and Kibuli hills. Kololo/Nakasero form the center for public Administration and were the preferred residential areas of their employees. Makerere developed into a university campus and health facilities settled in Mulago. Interestingly, these identities have survived to this day.
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