Uganda’s commonest historical sites

 Uganda’s commonest historical sites

Uganda’s commonest historical sites : Uganda has been rebounding from many ordeals and is now becoming a thriving nation which can showcase its rich history and natural beauty. Apart from national parks, Lakes and waterfalls, Uganda has got a lot of tourist attractions and below are some of the historical sites which you cannot miss out while visiting Uganda. These sites have got memorial contents, looks and geographical locations which you will enjoy while on your trip.

Namugongo Martyrs Shrine

Namugongo is found in Kyaliwajjala ward in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, approximately 16 kilometers north-east of Uganda’s capital Kampala. The beautiful shrine’s exterior is made of 22 copper pillars over 100 feet long. The shrine was built to honor 32 young men who were pages of King Mwanga II of Buganda. On June 3^rd 1886 the men were burnt to death for refusing to renounce Christianity. Annually on 3 June, Christians from Uganda and other parts of the world congregate at Namugongo to commemorate the lives and religious beliefs of the Uganda Martyrs.

The Kasubi Tombs

The Kasubi tombs in Kampala, Uganda, is a site of the burial grounds for four kabakas (kings of Buganda) and other members of the Baganda royal family. The Kasubi tombs that was first built in 1881 on the Kasubi hill in Kampala was later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. As a result, the site remains an important spiritual and political site for the Ganda people as well as an important spiritual and political site for the Baganda nation (the largest sub-national kingdom in present-day Uganda), the tombs are a symbol of a spiritual, political and social state of its people. Despite the unfortunate incident, the site still gets regular visits while the main palace is being rebuilt and structured. Most of the site is open agricultural land that is farmed using traditional techniques. One corner contains a royal palace built in 1882 by Muteesa 1 and the new palace became a royal burial ground on his death in 1884.

Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru

This is a historical cultural site with remarkable history located in western Uganda in Fort Portal town. It is located near Nyakasura school a few kilometers out of Fort portal town. The name historically means breast of Nyinamwiru, a home to a very rich cultural history attached to these rocks which form scenic caves with streams of water above them causing refreshing waterfalls for those who visit this place. The Batoro (the tribe located in this area) have a strong belief attached to these caves with an interesting myth told through the generations about them and the caves were named after King Bukuku’s daughter named Nyinamwiru. King Bukuku was one of the ancient kings of the Batembuzi Dynasty that ruled that time and were believed to be demi-gods by their subjects, often disappearing to the underground at given times. The princess was a beautiful young lady who had a strong personality. She refused to marry the man her father the “king” had chosen for her as was the custom in the day preferring to choose her own spouse. This greatly infuriated the king and his subjects who could not understand how anyone could disobey the king. The king then ordered that her breasts be cut off because of her disobedience, this would then ensure that she never get married to whoever she would choose and never be able to nurse children. It is strongly believed that the scenic rocks in this location are her breasts oozing milk since that day. From this site one can take hike to Nyakasura hill which will give you views of three different crater lakes and a visit to the marking of a large foot in the area believed to belong to one of the last Batembuzi dynasty people who were giants like humans.

Nyero Rock Paintings

This is situated high on top of the hill and has a good view of the surrounding countryside. The Nyero rock paintings are located in Eastern Uganda in Kumi district 8km (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 rocks of Uganda. There are traces of red pigment forming two finger-painted outlines of small oval shapes and a slanting L-shape as well as an outlined cross with a small circle below. The painted surface is exfoliating and is open to the rain and morning sun. A little trek and a bit of climbing are involved, but is all worth it to see rock art dated back before 1250 AD. 

Source of the Nile- Speke Monument

The authentic, original Source of the Nile Site, where the British Explorer John Hannington Speke was the first European to reach Lake Victoria and discovered the Source of the Nile. Today, the Source of the Nile at Jinja is a prime tourist destination in Uganda, there are also fantastic views of the lake. Not only that but you can also stand where he stood, take a picture with the monument, go for boat rides across the River Nile and into Lake Victoria, see monkeys, monitor lizards, do bird watching and see pythons. The site also allows for camping, nature walks, parties and occasions with a truly spectacular nature setting. Stop by one of the nearest restaurants around for a meal when you are hungry and anyone looking for 1 day tour in the Ugandan Countryside here is a great chance for you!

Baháʼí Temple

A Baháʼí House of Worship is the designation of a place of worship or temple of the Baháʼí faith. The teachings of the religion envisage houses of worship being surrounded by a number of dependencies dedicated to social, humanitarian, educational and scientific pursuits, although none has yet been built to such an extent. The Baháʼí faith began to take root in Uganda in 11951. Today, the Baháʼí Temple in Kampala is the only temple that remains in Africa for the Baháʼí faith. Since its completion in 1961, it has received hundreds of visitors from across the world. The beautiful grounds attract places for birding. Visit the Baháʼí Temple in Uganda for a truly memorable excursion. If you want to learn more from their religious customs, join the locals for service Sunday mornings at around 10am.

Sempaya Hot Springs

Sempaya hot springs is the most activity within Semuliki National Park and is a must-do for all tourists visiting this park. There are two hot springs- male hot spring called Bitente that measures about 12 meters in diameter and the female hot spring named Nyasimbi and is a boiling geyser that ejects out hot water and steam at about 2 meters into the air. Attracting hundreds of tourists each year, these hot springs have a geyser that shoots up from a hole at areally hot temperatures. In fact, the water is so hot that you can boil an egg and eat it in 10 minutes. Sempaya Hot Springs’ the temperature of the water in both springs reaches 100 degrees celsius and it is well known in history that you can cook food like fresh vegetables in the springs. If you love a good nature tour, the park does not only offer the most hot springs but also hosts primate creatures like grey-checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, elephants, chimpanzees, Debrazzas monkeys and pygmy antelopes. It’s a great pleasure to visit these hot springs when you come to Uganda.

Walumbe Tanda Pits

In tradition with Gandan culture, Walumbe as a brother of the bride, claimed one of Kintu’s children as his own. Kintu refused Walumbe’s claims and continues to do so throughout the years. Frustrated, Walumbe then begins to kill a single child every day after conversing with Ggulu, Kaikuzi is sent to aid Kintu in sending Walumbe back to heaven. After refusing to accompany Kaikuzi back to heaven, Walumbe retreats by hiding in craters in the ground that he creates by stomping his foot. This is said to have created the 240 Walumbe Tanda Pits and two shrines with one entrance having spears, shields, calabashes and fireplaces named after different gods that are still in Uganda today. Kaikuzi soon tires of pursuing Walumbe and asks all of mankind to be silent for two days to lure Walumbe out. When Walumbe finally emerges, Kintu’s children cry out at the sight of him and he again retreats into the earth. Upon Kintu’s dismissal, Kaikuzi then returns to Ggulu and explains the situation and upon hearing of this, Ggulu allows Walumbe to remain on earth. Walumbe is therefore blamed as the reason for death on Earth. Though every descendant of Kintu is eventually claimed by Walumbe, Kintu continues to fight Walumbe constantly by having more descendants than Walumbe can steal.

When coming for your next trip the above are worth including on your bucket list visit in the next stay in Uganda. Entrance fee is friendly and educative tour guides are available to help direct you to these charming places.