Uganda Cultural Tour: Discover Rich Traditions

Bulange and Lubiri Palace Cultural sites in Uganda After breakfast and pick up, drive towards Mengo trading centre, a small modernized area within Rubaga division having a hospital, church, market, schools and good hotels. Bulange serves as the traditional seat of Buganda Parliament; also recently closed CBS radio was located. It’s well known for its colonial architecture and enclosed wall as well as its strategic location on Mengo hill. Buganda elders and the King meet here to discuss vital issues concerning the kingdom’s status. The Lubiri once served as Mwanga’s palace. Learn and discover the history of this great kingdom. Get to also visit the Rubaga catholic cathedral and Kabaka’s lake which is opposite the newly constructed Pentecostal Cathedral church. Dine and lodge at Tal Cottages/ Namirembe Guesthouse.

Kasubi hill was originally called Nabulagala. When Mutesa I established his palace on the hill in 1882, he changed its name to Kasubi, a village in Kyagwe where he grew up.

This is a traditional site in an urban setting 5kms to the south-west of Kampala city, the capital of Uganda. Four of the last Kings (Bassekabaka) of the Kingdom of Buganda namely; Mutesa I (1865-1884), Daniel Mwanga II (1884-1897), Daudi Cwa II (1897-1939) and Frederick Mutesa II (1939-1966), were buried in this gigantic dome-shaped grass thatched house known as Muzibu Azaala Mpanga.

The magnificent reed and ring work representing the 52 clans of the Baganda and the equally long and straight poles wrapped with barkcloth, the tranquility inside the house all contribute to the mysticism, respect and awe which are the intangible values about the great house.

Indeed it is not only the cementary of the Buganda royalty but also an active religious shrine of the Buganda Kingdom. Its traditional architectural design, its religious function and living relevance formed the criteria for its nomination as a unique cultural site of outstanding universal value. Kasubi Royal Tombs of the Kings of Buganda was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 2001. It is a famous tourist site which records more than 50,000 visitors a year. After this vist , the tour continues to Wamala tombs off the same road in Nansana, another once deserted palace. In the evening be treated to cultural music and dancing by the Ndere troupe who will entertain you with various cultural dances from different tribes all over the country. Dine and lodge at Tal Cottages/ Namirembe Guesthouse.

Uganda Musuem Cultural site. After a warm cup of tea ,the next movement is done towards the National Museum in Kamwokya. It is the best and oldest museum in East Africa having deeply rooted ethnographic collection all contributing to the background of Uganda as a nation. There are exhibits of different traditional Ugandan lifestyles, musical instruments from most parts of the continent among other things. We continue to Ssezibwa Falls east of Kampala, which was once a favorite spot for the Kabaka Mwanga and Mutesa., where they planted trees themselves. This mysterious falls are believed to have been birthed by a woman who instead of giving birth to children came out with “Twin Rivers”. Ssezibwa and Mobeya, still believed to inhibit the river. The falls is attached to supernatural significance of the birth of twins up to today. Besides culture, the falls is a beautiful place with pretty waters, associated with fringing trees and a prolific bird list. Dine and lodge at Tal Cottages/ Namirembe Guesthouse.

Katereke Prison Katereke Prison ditch was constructed by Kabaka Kalema in the late 1880’s for those who opposed him. These were mainly his brothers and family members and he went further and massacred them in order to get rid of future succession. Instead this worsened his reign and later led to his fall. After lunch continue to Mbarara town. Mbarara was the heart of the defunct Ankole kingdom founded in the early 1500’s by the Bacwezi dynasty. The king was termed as “omugabe” and came from the Bahima clan. The Bahima depended on pastoralism and agriculture as a livelihood though few Bahima today are pastoralists but they are highly associated with owning huge herds of cattle. The Ankole cattle are quite different from other cattle elsewhere as its horns are longer and curved. Dine and lodge at Lake View Resort Hotel/ Classic Hotel.

Departure You will have morning breakfast and then transfer to the airport for a turn flight. End of the Safari

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