Kampala Hill

Coordinates: 00°18′55″N 32°34′07″E / 0.31528°N 32.56861°E / 0.31528; 32.56861
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Kampala Hill
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Kampala Hill, commonly referred to as Old Kampala, is a hill in the centre of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.

Location

Kampala Hill is bordered by

Namirembe to the west. When calculating distances between Kampala and other places, Kampala Hill is often taken as the starting point. The coordinates of the hill are:0°18'55.0"N, 32°34'07.0"E (Latitude: 0.315278; Longitude: 32.568611).[1]

Overview

Kampala hill was the nucleus of the city of Kampala. When the city expanded to other neighbouring hills, the place began to be referred to as

Old Kampala, a name that is still in use today, 120 years later. As of June 2014, the hill is a mixed commercial and residential neighbourhood with high-rise apartment complexes, shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, bed-and-breakfast establishments and several motels. The neighbourhood is a beehive of activity, both during the week and on weekends.[2]

History

Before the arrival of the British, Kampala Hill, along with the neighbouring environs, was a favourite hunting ground of the King of Buganda. The area was particularly rich with game, especially impala, a type of African antelope. The word Impala, most probably comes from the Zulu language. The British referred to the hill as the Hill of the Impala. The Luganda translation comes to Akasozi K'empala. Through repeated usage, the name of the place eventually became Kampala. The name then came to apply to the entire city.

largest mosque in Uganda, with a seating capacity of 15,000 people, built with monetary assistance from Libya.[3] The completed mosque was opened officially in June 2007.[4]

Points of interest

The following points of interest are located on or near Kampala Hill:

  • The site where St. Matiya Mulumba was murdered on 30 May 1886 - One of the Uganda Martyrs
  • The Uganda Moslem Supreme Council Mosque, which is also known as the Gaddafi Mosque - the largest mosque in Uganda; seating capacity 15,000.[5]
  • Fort Lugard - Built in the 1890s, by
    British East Africa Company
  • Old Kampala Hospital - A private hospital
  • Old Kampala Senior Secondary School - A non-residential public high school
  • A branch of
    Diamond Trust Bank (Uganda) Limited
  • A branch of Exim Bank (Uganda)
  • Mukwano Shopping Arcade - A middle-class shopping mall
  • The headquarters and main store of Quality Supermarkets, a locally owned supermarket chain
  • Old Kampala Police Station
  • The Headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council
  • Nakivubo Stadium - Seating capacity 25,000, located in the valley between
    Old Kampala, Nakasero Hill and Mengo Hill
    .

See also

References

  1. ^ Google (7 June 2016). "Location of Old Kampala, Kampala City, Central Region, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Profile of Old Kampala". Uganda Travel Guide.
  3. ^ Nalunkuuma, Mariam (8 February 2006). "Gaddafi To Open Mosque". New Vision. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  4. ^ Tebajjukira, Madinah; Ariko, Charles (9 June 2007). "Libyans Open Old Kampala Mosque". New Vision. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  5. ^ Musoke, Cyprian (22 June 2007). "Gaddafi Mosque Is A Gem On Old Kampala Hill". New Vision. Archived from the original on 21 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.

External links


00°18′55″N 32°34′07″E / 0.31528°N 32.56861°E / 0.31528; 32.56861