Rubaga Cathedral
Located on Lubaga Hill, in Lubaga Division, 3kms in the western part of the city of Kampala, the twin-towered Roman Catholic cathedral is the oldest Cathedral in Uganda. It has great historical importance: in the transept is a memorial to the Uganda Martyrs (dozens of Ugandan Christians burnt or hacked to death by KabakaMwanga II in 1885 and 1886 for refusing to renounce the white man’s religion); 22 Catholic victims, later declared saints, are enshrined in the stained-glass windows.
It overlooks the city and is a large complex that takes in various functions of the church and surrounded by beautiful trees plus flowers. It is also situated on a hill with a magnificent scenic view on addition to astounding cathedral structure from here one has a great view over Kampala city. Built in 1914, the cathedral houses the remains of the late Arcbishop Joseph Kiwanka (June 25, 1899 — February 22, 1966), the first African Catholic Bishop and the first African Archbishop of Kampala Diocese, are housed inside the cathedral
Old Kampala National Mosque
Old Kampala National Mosque also dubbed Gaddafi National Mosque is a mosque situated at Kampala Hill in the Old Kampala area of Kampala, Uganda. Completed in 2006, it seats up to 15,000 worshippers and can hold another 1,100 in the gallery, while the terrace will cater for another 3,500. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya built the mosque as a gift to Uganda, and for the benefit of the Muslim population. Uganda has many mosques but this one is a skyscraper mosque. The mosque is the major feature on the oldest hill in the city offering unrivalled 360 degrees views of Kampala from the Minaret. The Mosque is regarded as the largest in Africa and when visiting the site , be prepared to change your style as ladies will be required to experience and dress in long skirts and headscarf. All included in the ticket entrance fee, you experience a mix of modern and traditional, African, European and Arabic influences; the mosque is definitely a worthy visit while in Kampala.
Bahai Temple
Found on Kikaya Hill off the Gayaza road, it is the mother Temple of the Bahai faith in Africa, one of only seven in the World. And just like the faith it represents, the Baha’I temple is no ordinary house of worship. Sitting on 52 acres of land, the temple is a unique architectural master piece. It was designed by Charles Mason Remey, who was a prominent and controversial American Bahai and its foundation stone was laid in January 1958 and completed in 1961. A few meters from the Temple is the dormitory of the mausoleums which are themselves marvels of design. It seats on a beautiful park like ground with lots of beautiful trees most of them fruit tree species plus flowers as well as a green-carpet like grass with clean clear gazetted paths leading to the dome. This park like environment attracts many people who sit on the grass and have a peaceful moment or hold picnics not forgetting couples in love who flock this place for quality time.
Namugongo Martyrs Shrine
Lying 16 kilometers east of Kampala off Jinja Road, Namugongo was formerly a place of execution of all people who committed grave offences in the kingdom of Buganda. It is here that 14 of the 22 Uganda Martyrs offered their life to Christ (burnt alive), on the orders of king Mwanga in 1886, having refused to denounce their Christian faith. Following the holocaust of these Martyrs which reached a climax on 3rd June, 1886 Namugongo has steadily taken on the image of attraction as a place of pilgrimage, as God simultaneously has honoured them before Believers.
On 6th June 1920 Pope Benedict XV beatified the Uganda Martyrs. Pope Paul VI canonized them on Mission Sunday, 8th October, 1964 in Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome. The same Pope honoured the Martyrs with a pilgrimage on 31st July to 2nd August 1969 - the first visit ever by a pope to the African Continent. In 1935, 49 years after the holocaust, the Mill Hill Missionaries founded a Catholic Parish at Namugongo. They dedicated it to Our Lady Queen of the Martyrs.
The big imposing Shrine dominating Namugongo today stands exactly on the spot where the small original parish church stood and it is the same spot where Charles Lwanga was burnt alive.
Besides the shrine itself, there are other interesting features in the sit which can be visited by travellers on Kampala safari and among these include;
The lake. Remembering the work executed by St. Charles Lwanga when still a page in King Mwanga's palace, when he spearheaded the excavation of the legendary Kabaka's lake at Mengo, a Martyrs' lake was excavated at Namugongo. Many pilgrims have often drawn water from this lake and later given testimonies about this water healing them of various diseases.
The Pavilion (Island) in the lake is another unique feature at Namugongo with a clear view that can be seen from all angles of the over 15 acres Shrine compound. It is inside this pavilion where the main celebrant sits on big occasions like Martyrs' day, June 3. This grass thatched pavilion, also in circular form like the Shrine is supported by 4 pillars and can accommodate more than 300 priests and a number of bishops that turn fo
Being memorial place in Uganda, Every 3rd June the Catholic Church and their counterpart of Anglican persuasion flock into this place from all over Africa most of them by foot to commemorate this day in honour of their Religious heroes. The unique architecture of African hut, the temple of worship in this place is a great tour destination.
