Top Traditional/historical l sites in Uganda: Uganda is a diverse and culturally rich country situated in East Africa. With a history dating back thousands of years, Uganda is home to a numerous number of traditional/historical sites that offer a glimpse into the country’s rich heritage. From ancient rock paintings to royal palaces and sacred shrines, Uganda’s historical sites are a testament to the country’s vibrant past and unique cultural identity. Uganda’s historical sites are a treasure trove of history, culture and spirituality. Visiting these exciting sites is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the country’s rich heritage and gain a deeper appreciation for its people and traditions.
This article presents to you some of the top traditional /historical sites in Uganda. These fascinating sites should encourage you to travel and see some of these gorgeous features in Uganda for yourself.
Kasubi Tombs
This site, which is situated on Kasubi Hill in the city of Kampala, houses the burial grounds of four former Kings of Buganda (kabakas) and other members of the Baganda royal family. Its traditional architecture using purely vegetable materials and its high spiritual and political importance to the Baganda people made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Unfortunately, in March 2010 some of the major buildings were almost completely destroyed by fire and the Kasubi Tombs needed to be included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. Nevertheless, reconstruction started in 2014 and is planned to be completed by December 2016.
Uganda Museum
The Uganda Museum is located along Kira Road, from Kampala city. The distance covered on the road from Kampala city to the museum is approximately 4km via Kitintale Hill. The museum is the biggest and oldest museum in Uganda, which started way back in 1908. The Uganda Museum is a place that holds most of Uganda’s cultural heritage and where one can have a view of the historical cultures and treasures of Uganda under one roof. For an incredible journey, the impressive set covers more than two million years of human history, spanning from statues to portraits in deem-light spaces. The building also houses the traditional music portion, featuring the first equipment to be made locally in the Pearl of Africa. The cultural village of huts representing the typical lives of citizens in Uganda is situated at the rear of the Uganda Museum building. For tourists wanting to observe the Ugandan people’s traditional practices, a range of traditional resources, including wood-based dairy pots, cactus containers, flint knapping, jewelry making, horn work, ceramics, cutlery, leather works, weapons, and musical instruments, are displayed. The huts are constructed based on the different tribes in Uganda, like Batooro House, Ankole House, Tooro House, and Bahima House, among others. The huts displayed are from different regions of the country, that is, from the south, western, eastern, and northern regions of Uganda.
Wamala Tombs
Wamala Tombs is situated on top of a hill with exceptionally beautiful surroundings, Wamala Tombs holds the grave of Kabaka Suuna II, a Buganda King who ruled the Buganda Kingdom in the middle of the 19th century. Kabaka Suuna II was the first king to admit outside traders into Buganda. It’s claimed he had over 148 wives and 218 children. Wamala Tomb is very unique among other tombs and very magical as well.
Nyero Rocks paintings
The Nyero rock paintings are located in the eastern part of Uganda in Kumi district about 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Kumi town, about 250 km (155.3 mi) from the capital city Kampala the Nyero rock paintings are among the most important rock arts in the country. Nyero is such a unique place that has unique rock art which truly explains the history of the Teso people. It has preserved the cultural heritage and rock paintings for a while. History believes that C.A. E Harwich in 1945 discovered this amazing rock paint. The rock is considered the first rock art site to be discovered which describes the facts about Uganda’s culture. Nyero rock art site has six rock sites however has two main ones Nyero 1 is smaller and is almost 2m whereas Nyero 2 is bigger with an almost 16m overhang. You will find the most rock paintings in Nyero 2. You will also be able to observe the true meanings of the art paint on this rock which conveys the traditional artifacts.
Tanda Pits
Tanda pits are located 8 kilometers to Mityana town, 92 kilometers from Mubende, and 3 kilometers off the Kampala-Mubende highway. The legendary stories explain their existence on one Walumbe (“Death”) who is said to have been the sister to the wife of the first Ganda to live on earth from heaven. The pits were created as Walumbe kept escaping from a brother (Kayikuzi) who had come to return him to heaven. Kayikuzi dug the pits in an effort to capture Walumbe who is believed to have disappeared underground and remained on earth and began the death of people on earth. The pits whose bottom cannot be seen with the naked eye currently number about 266. Some unknown numbers of pits were earlier filled to provide land for cultivation and 20 of the currently existing ones have been tampered with since the Department of Museums and Antiquities ceased to assume the caretaking role. The most stunning about the pits is their similarity in size and precise equality in diameter.
Nyakahondokoro Cultural Tombs
Nyakahondokoro cultural tombs is situated in Ibanda municipality, the Nyakahondokoro cave is a place worthy of visiting for religious tourism, exercise, parties, or mountain climbing. It’s a unique cave with the belief that the Bachwezi were the original inhabitants and it has got old architectural network that’s similar to the Egyptian pyramids. Lots of activities take place inside the seemingly well-maintained neat cave with grass on the floor that provides a good atmosphere for one to have a good rest. We were told the cave cuts across to the next village something that we can recommend to be a Nyakahondokoro challenge each year for tourists. Legend also has it that strange things happen around the cave such as wildfires at night, as well as someone grazing cattle but you can only see the horns
Katerere Prisin Ditch
The Katerere Prison Ditch recites a timeline of a violent and brutal savagery time that was full of betrayal in the history of the Buganda Kingdom. It recites King Kalema, a king who imprisoned and slaughtered all his 30 brothers and sisters (princes and princesses) in the year 1888 for fear of dethroning him. Katerere Prison Ditch today is a tourist site that attracts many tourists. However, the surviving earthworks remind us of the savage period when the destiny of the Buganda Kingdom wasn’t clear and predictable.
Nagalabi Coronation Site
The Naggalabi – Buddo Coronation Site is located on Budo Hill in Busiro County, Wakiso District, about 16 kilometers from Kampala. This is a place where the Kabakas of Buganda (Kings of the Buganda Kingdom) are enthroned in a traditional ceremony. It is also believed that Buganda Kingdom was born in this particular place around the 14th and 15th centuries.
Uganda Martyr’s Shrine Namugongo
Namugongo Martyrs Shrine; the towering pinnacle is quite catchy and as you draw closer to the basilica you will be washed with a special feeling of holiness and serenity. The Shrine is found 15 km east of the Major Kampala business hub. The area has been given a heroic touch with the erection of the daunting mini basilica in memory of the 32 heroes who were burnt for their faith. Every element of this area speaks of these young courageous boys who have today become important persons in the Christian faith. Thousands of people not only flock to this place on 3rd June but even on other days throughout the year to ask these saints to intercede for them in their tribulations.
Karambi tombs
The Karambi Tombs are one of the most important places in the Tooro Kingdom. Three Tooro Kings (Abakama), Kyebambe Kamurasi, Rukidi III and Olumi Kaboyo II plus other Tooro Kingdom royals were buried in this these Tombs with each king holding his own tomb. The tombs are located in Fort Portal, 6km away from town on Fort Portal-Kasese Road. The royal regalia that were used by each of the three kings are kept in these tombs.
Nkokonjeru Tombs
Situated in a place called Kakiika in Mbarara District, Nkokonjeru tombs are the burial grounds for the last two Kings of Ankole (Omugabes), Edward Solomon Kahaya II and Sir Charles Godfrey Rutahaba Gasyonga II. Several royals were also buried in this place. External to the main tombs are about 9 graves of other royals.
The Hoima Palace
The Hoima palace is the home of the king of Bunyoro and it’s situated in Hoima town. visits to this palace are very informative about the Bunyoro people and their culture and attractions and also their history. The palace was built in 1889 by the Omukama (king) of the Bunyoro kingdom, Kabalega, the palace has served as a royal residence and administrative canter for generations of Bunyoro Monarchs. This palace holds a stunning architectural marvel, with its distinct traditional design featuring intricately carved wooden beams and pillars, thatched roofs, and colorful adornment by lush gardens, which add to its beautiful beauty
