2 Days Kampala City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage
2 Days Kampala City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage: On your Buganda cultural trail, you will explore the authentic traditional culture and social life through music, traditional dance, artefacts, storytelling, craft making, spiritual healing, traditional herbal medicines, and traditional food preparations. You will also learn about the fascinating history of the Buganda kingdom and several other religious places during your two-day Kampala cultural tour and Buganda cultural trail.
During your two days, you can visit and discover a variety of cultural attractions in Kampala and the larger Buganda Kingdom. Among other fascinating historical locations, these cultural heritage sites include the King’s Palace, Kabaka’s Lake, Kasubi tombs, Bulange Parliament, Wamala Tombs, Amin’s torture chamber, Totems of Buganda, and the Ndere Cultural Centre.
Kampala City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage sites
Kasubi Tombs and City Tour
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site that serves as a burial ground for Buganda monarchs, Four previous Buganda monarchs were buried at the Kasubi Tombs together with other members of the royal family, making it a significant political and spiritual location for the Baganda people. These tombs are also significant examples of traditional architecture, but the March 2010 fire destroyed the main structures. The Kasubi tombs were therefore designated as World Heritage sites in risk in July 2010. These tombs are Located on 64 acres on Kasubi Hill, approximately 5 kilometres northwest of Kampala City Centre.
These royal tombs were built in 1882 by Kabaka Muteesa I, the 35th monarch of Buganda, the royal palace on one corner was originally constructed in 1820 by his father, Ssuna II. After his passing in 1884, the newly constructed palace was used as a royal cemetery. Since the beginning of time, the body of the late Kabaka of Buganda has been buried in a single location, while a distinct shrine honours the deceased Kabaka’s jawbone, which is thought to hold his soul. The royal tombs of four Buganda kings are unusually located near Kasubi.
Kabaka’s Palace
Kabaka’s Palace, also known as Lubiri, is a significant location in the Buganda Kingdom. It houses a variety of offices and popular tourist destinations such the Bulange Mengo Parliament, the Royal Mile, and the Idd Amin Torture Chambers, which draw hundreds of visitors from all over the world. Think about taking a tour of the palace to understand why the king’s residence was formerly a military barracks.
Kabaka’s Lake-City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage sites
This is a manmade lake that was dug by palace servants under the orders of Kabaka Mwanga with the interest of connecting Lubiri to Lake Victoria. Additionally, this peaceful lake was built during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga II, the 19th-century ruler of Buganda. An example of the Buganda monarchy’s inventiveness and vision, this man-made marvel doubles as a historical site and a leisure area which attracts both humans and other species, such as bird species like Cattle Egrets, Giant Kingfishers, Goliath Herons, and African Jacanas, among others.
Naggalabi Buddo coronation site
It is here that the Buganda monarchs are installed. The Naggalabi Coronation Site is about a 20-minute drive from Kampala, situated in the Wakiso district area on Buddo Hill along Masaka Road, about 14 km southwest of Kampala. Because of the location of Sekabaka Bemba’s war victory over his brother Kintu and subsequent declaration of his own kingship in Buganda during the 13th century, it is said that succession rites are held at Buddo Hill. At the Buganda monarchs’ coronation, the Naggalabi coronation site features a variety of houses with cultural significance. The site features the Buganda residence, where the prince spends nine days following his coronation. No woman is permitted to enter the region during these nine days until they are over.
Following his coronation, the king usually appoints his cabinet to assist him in managing the day-to-day operations of the kingdom and devises plans for handling its issues. “Enaku ezobwerinde,” which translates to “the days of tension,” is the term used to describe this time frame. Following their coronation, all kings carry out this custom. Many Baganda came to Naggalabi in 1993 to rejoice and welcome their new King, Ronald Kimera Mutebi II, the current Kabaka.
Kibuli Mosque-City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage
This is situated atop Kibuli Hill, one of the seven hills that comprise Kampala City. At 1211 metres above sea level, the slope climbs. Prior to being given to the Ugandan Muslim community, Prince Badru Kakungulu, a member of the Buganda royal line, was the owner of the land. Currently, it is regarded as the second headquarters of Uganda Muslims Supreme Council.
During the reign of Kabaka Suuna II of the Buganda Kingdom in 1844, the Arabs arrived in Uganda and brought Islam with them. However, some of the teachings of Islam were incompatible with Buganda traditions and customs, such as circumcision, which was deemed inappropriate because Kabakas are not known for their bloodletting. As a result, when Mwanga 11, a son of Kabaka Ssuna, came to be king, he discontinued this custom.
After working with the British, Prince Nuhu Mbogo was granted a block of property on Kibuli’s hill, where he had planned to build his palace. Instead, he erected it in the valley and donated the hill’s land for the construction of a tiny mosque. Later, an additional 80 acres where the current Kibuli mosque is located were gifted by Prince Badru Kakungulu, son of Prince Mbogo.
Uganda Museum-City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage sites
It is home to Uganda’s extensive historical and cultural legacy. Natural history, science, history, archaeology, and traditional culture are all represented in the exhibits of the Uganda Museum, which was established in Kampala in 1908. Art collections, natural history artefacts, scientific specimens, living zoological specimens, and much more are all greatly varied among museum collections. Most museums specialise in a certain field because there are so many items to gather. Traditional music is performed there on a regular basis. The greatest general collection in Uganda can be found in the main library of Makerere University, located in Kampala.
Wamala Tombs
This is the royal tomb of Buganda’s King Suuna II. It is a location for cultural festivities and rituals. Wamala Tombs are about a 30-minute drive from Kampala’s downtown and are situated in the Nabweru Wakiso area. The reign of Buganda’s 29th monarch, Kabaka Suuna, began in or around 1824. The monarch had several spouses, and he once surrendered a pregnant lady to Arab guests, who carried her off to Ethiopia. The first Arabs to come in Buganda in 1844 brought the Islamic region to Uganda during the reign of King Ssuna. He received gifts from the Arabs, including garments, firearms, and mirrors. He was Buganda’s first Kabaka to wear Kanzu. The counties of Bugalazi and Buyaga were subjugated and joined to Buganda under Kabaka Ssuna’s rule. He was an avid adventurer and hunted in his spare time.
Known for erecting Kasubi Tombs, his first palace, upon his coronation, King Ssuna eventually chose to return to Wamala in order to be near his mother, for whom he had constructed a home in the next village of Kagoma. Additionally, King Ssuna was the first Kabaka of Buganda to be buried with his jaw still in place. “Kano kaba kani?” translates to “Whose jaw is this?” and is the origin of the word Kabaka. This is due to the custom of the elders asking the widows whose jaws were removed after the Kabaka passed away before identifying the deceased person.
His Wamala tomb served as his grave after his passing. The tomb was given the name Batanda bezaala, and Nnalinya is in charge of a group of carers who look after them. It is forbidden to look past the door, as, in Buganda tradition, a monarch does not die but rather becomes lost in the forest. As a result, the entrance to the forest is depicted inside the tomb.
Katereke Prison-City Tour and Buganda Cultural Heritage
This ditch has a diameter of almost 70 metres and is circular in shape. It is a serene, shady location. About 30 minutes from Kampala, beyond Buddo town along Masaka road, and only 1 km from Nsangi Trading Centre, are the ditch and bank, which are earthworks measuring roughly 10 metres from top to bottom. The Kabakas persecuted and imprisoned lawbreakers here. It is reported that Kabaka Kalema, a notable former King of Buganda, excavated the ditch for Katereke Prison in the late 1800s. Strangers posing as Muslims deposed Kabaka Mwanga from the throne in 1888, and Kabaka Kiwewa took over, though his reign was brief. Kabaka Kiwewa came first, then Kabaka Kalema.
Due to the fierce opposition from his brothers and other community members, Kabaka Kalema had his clan chiefs build a prison and confine all of the princes and princesses who were his competitors. This prison is now known as the Katereke Prison ditch. Because Kabaka Kalema’s authority was still in jeopardy even after locking up the majority of his opponents, he issued an order to have thirty of his siblings and sisters executed. His subjects were terrified of losing their lives, which spread across the Kingdom.
Kabaka Mwanga reclaimed the throne after a year, banishing Kabaka Kalema, who died a few months later. During your two-day cultural tour of Kampala and the Buganda culture path, one of the most significant cultural sites is the Katereke Prison Ditch. Because it is home to several bird species, it is also an excellent place to go birdwatching
Nnamasole Baagalayaze Tombs and Cultural Centre:
Here, there is joy, optimism, and education. After visiting the handmade shops along Buganda Road and the National Theatre, you can wrap up your two-day Kampala cultural tour and Buganda cultural trail by purchasing some souvenirs to remember your trip to Uganda. You can prolong your visit to the Ndere Cultural Centre if you have time, since it offers more cultural entertainment featuring music, dance, and theatre from Uganda and beyond.