Kampala

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This article refers to the city of Kampala. For the district of the same name, please see Kampala (district)

Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. With a population of 1,208,544 (2002), it is the largest urban settlement in Uganda. It is located in the district of Kampala at 0:19:00N 32:35:00E (0.31667, 32.58333) with an elevation of 3,900ft (1,189 m) above sea level.

1 History
2 Features
3 See also
4 External links

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History

Before the arrival of the British, the Buganda King had chosen the area that was to become Kampala as one of his favourite hunting grounds. The area was made up of numerous rolling hills and lush wetlands. It was an ideal breeding ground for various antelopes - particularly the Impala. When the British arrived they called the area the "Hills of the Impala". The word Impala is used to describe a particular species of antelope (Aepyceros melampus) common across Africa - the word's origin is likely to have been from the Zulu language in South Africa. It was then adopted into the English language by the British.

The Buganda language (Luganda) adopted many 'English' words from Buganda's interaction with the British. In this case, the word "Impala" was adopted and the Baganda translated the "...hill of the Impala" as "Kasozi Ka Mpala" - "Kasozi" means "hill" in Luganda, "Ka" means "of" and the word Impala was pronouced with a silent "I" - thus "Mpala". When spoken in Luganda the "Ka" and "Mpala" sound like one word - "Ka'mpala", and soon whenever the Kabaka went hunting the Baganda would say "Kabaka a'genze e Ka'mpala" - "The Kabaka has gone to Ka'mpala". The name Kampala soon stuck.

Kampala grew up around a fort constructed by Frederick Lugard in 1890 for the British East Africa Company. In 1962, Kampala replaced Entebbe as the national capital. Much of the city was destroyed after the 1979 overthrow of Idi Amin's dictatorship and the subsequent civil war. Manufactures include furniture and machine parts. Agricultural exports include coffee, cotton, tea, and sugar.

The city grew as the capital of the Buganda kingdom, from which several buildings survive, including the Kasubi Tombs (built in 1881), the Buganda Parliament, the Buganda Court of Justice and the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site. Severely damaged in the Ugandan-Tanzanian War, the city has since been rebuilt.

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Features

The main campus of Makerere University, one of East and Central Africa's premier institutes of higher learning, can be found in the Makerere Hill area of the City. Kampala is also home to the headquarters of the East African Development Bank.

Like many cities, Kampala is said to be built on seven hills, although this isn't quite accurate.

Image:KampalaSkyline.jpg

The first hill in historical importance is Kasubi Hill, which is where the Kasubi Tombs of the previous Kabakas are housed.

The second is Mengo Hill where the present Kabaka's Palace is and the Headquarters of the Buganda Court of Justice.

The third is Kibuli Hill, which is home to Kibuli Mosque. Islam was brought to Uganda before the Christian missionaries came.

The fourth is Namirembe Hill, home to Namirembe Protestant Cathedral. The Protestants were the first of the Christian Missions to arrive.

The fifth is Rubaga Hill, where Rubaga Roman Catholic Cathedral is, and was the headquarters of the White Fathers.

The sixth Nsambya, was the Headquarters of the Mill Hill Mission. It now houses Nsambya Hospital.

The seventh, the little hill of Kampala, the hill of the Impala is where the ruins of Lugard's Fort can be found. This is where Kampala got its name.

The City spread to Nakasero Hill where the administrative centre and the wealthiest residential area is. There is also Tank Hill, where there is a water tank. Mulago Hill is the site of Mulago Hospital, which is the largest hospital in Uganda. Makerere Hill, where Makerere University is situated.

Suburbs include Kololo in the East on Kololo Hill the highest hill, home to the Uganda Museum; Namirembe; Kibuli; and Rubaga.

Other features of the city include the Ssezibwa Falls, Ugandan National Theatre, St. Balikuddembe Market (formerly Owino Market) and Nakasero Market. Kampala is also known for its nightlife, which includes a casino. Entebbe International Airport is located at Entebbe, 22 miles/35 km away, while Port Bell on the shore of Lake Victoria is 7 miles/10 km away.

Also to note is that Kampala hosts one of only seven Bahá'í Houses of Worship in the world. It is known as the Mother Temple of Africa and is situated on Kikaya Hill on the outskirts of the city. Its foundation stone was laid in January 1958, and was dedicated on January 13, 1961.

According to a 2004-2005 survey by the Ministry of Health, Kampala has the highest prevalence of HIV infection in Uganda. 9.2 percent of adults and 47 percent of sex workers in the city are infected.[1][2]

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