View source for Kampala

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Uganda}}
{{About|the city|the hill|Kampala Hill}}
{{Use Ugandan English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement <!-- Infobox starts !-->
| official_name      = Kampala
| native_name        = 
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| image_skyline      = Kampalamontage.png
| nickname           = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_caption      = Counter-clockwise; from top: Panoramic view of central Kampala, Bahá'i Temple, [[Makerere University]], panoramic view of [[Lake Victoria]], Kampala Worker's House, [[Uganda National Mosque]]
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = Kampala District in Uganda.svg
| mapsize            = 150px
| map_caption        = Kampala highlighted in red inside the [[Uganda|Republic of Uganda]]
| pushpin_map        = Uganda#Africa
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Kampala in [[Uganda]]##Location in Africa
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Uganda}}
| subdivision_type1  = City
| subdivision_name1  = Kampala District
| leader_title1      = [[Lord Mayor of Kampala|Lord Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = [[Erias Lukwago]]
| leader_title2      = [[Executive Director]]
| leader_name2       = [[Sharifah Buzeki|Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki]]
| area_total_km2     = 189
| area_land_km2      = 176
| area_water_km2     = 13
| population_as_of   = 2025
| population_urban_footnotes = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_note    = 
| population_density_km2 = 22500
| population_total   = 4,265,160
| population_footnotes = <ref name="ubos.org">{{Cite web |title=Table 1.1 : Estimated Land Area and Projected Population by Sex by Lower Local Government |url=https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/09_2019Final_2020_21_LLG_IPFs_Sept_2019.pdf |website=[[Uganda Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
| population_metro   = 6,709,900<ref name="ubos.org"/>
| area_metro_km2     = 8,451.9
| population_density_metro_km2 = 793<ref name="ubos.org"/>
| population_demonyms = Munnakampala
| timezone           = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset         = +03:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|00|18|49|N|32|34|52|E|region:UG|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 1200
| website            = {{URL|http://www.kcca.go.ug/}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Kampala''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|k|æ|m|ˈ|p|ɑː|l|ə}},<ref name="Collins">{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/kampala|title=Kampala|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Kampala |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802184924/https://www.lexico.com/definition/kampala |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-08-02 |title=Kampala |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|k|ɑː|m|ˈ|-|audio=Kampala.ogg}})<ref name="Collins" /><ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Kampala|access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref> is the [[Capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[Uganda]]. The city proper has a population of 4,265,160 (2025)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Kampala Population 2025 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/uganda/kampala |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=World Population Review |language=en}}</ref> and is divided into the five political divisions of [[Kampala Central Division|Kampala Central]], [[Kawempe Division|Kawempe]], [[Makindye Division|Makindye]], [[Nakawa Division|Nakawa]], and [[Rubaga Division|Rubaga]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Authority - KAMPALA CAPITAL CITY AUTHORITY {{!}} For a better City |url=https://www.kcca.go.ug/about-the-authority |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.kcca.go.ug}}</ref>

Kampala's metropolitan area consists of the city proper and the neighboring [[Wakiso District]], [[Mukono District]], [[Mpigi District]], [[Buikwe District]] and [[Luweero District]]. It has a rapidly growing population that is estimated at 6,709,900 people in 2019 by the [[Uganda Bureau of Statistics]]<ref>[https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publication/09_2019Final_2020_21_LLG_IPFs_Sept_2019.pdf Kampala Population 2019]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> in an area of {{convert|8,451.9|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}}. Other estimates estimate put the size of the metropolitan area at around four million people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kampala, Uganda Metro Area Population 1950-2023 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22744/kampala/population |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>

In 2015, this metropolitan area generated an estimated nominal GDP of $13.80221&nbsp;billion (constant US dollars of 2011),<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wang|first1=Xuantong|last2=Rafa|first2=Mickey|last3=Moyer|first3=Jonathan D.|last4=Li|first4=Jing|last5=Scheer|first5=Jennifer|last6=Sutton|first6=Paul|date=16 January 2019|title=Estimation and Mapping of Sub-National GDP in Uganda Using NPP-VIIRS Imagery|journal=Remote Sensing|volume=11|issue=2|pages=163|doi=10.3390/rs11020163|bibcode=2019RemS...11..163W|doi-access=free}}</ref> which was more than half of Uganda's GDP for that year, indicating the importance of Kampala to Uganda's economy.

Kampala is reported to be among the fastest-growing cities in Africa, with an annual population growth rate of 4.03 percent,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html|title=City Mayors: World's fastest-growing urban areas (1)|website=www.citymayors.com}}</ref> by City Mayors. [[Mercer (consulting firm)|Mercer]] (a [[New York City|New York]]–based consulting firm) has regularly ranked Kampala as East Africa's best city to live in,<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1418082/kampala-ranked-city-east-Africa
|title=Kampala Ranked Best City In East Africa
|last=Muhindo
|first=Clare
|date=2016-02-26
|newspaper=[[New Vision]]
|access-date=2019-08-27
|archive-date=2019-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827020437/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1418082/kampala-ranked-city-east-africa
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/insights/quality-of-living-rankings|title=Quality of Living City Ranking|website=mobilityexchange.mercer.com|access-date=2021-01-16}}</ref> ahead of [[Nairobi]] and [[Kigali]].

== Etymology ==

Kampala originally referred to only the present-day [[Old Kampala]] hill, on whose summit Fort Lugard was located, and the initial headquarters of the British colonial authorities in the soon to be [[Uganda Protectorate]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Visit Kampala, Uganda |url=https://visitafrica.site/kampala.html |website=Visit Africa |access-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109172605/https://visitafrica.site/kampala.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Before the British construction of Fort Lugard, the hill was a hunting reserve of the [[Kabaka of Buganda|Kabaka]] (King) of [[Buganda Kingdom|Buganda]] and had several species of antelope, especially the [[impala]]. As a result, when the British colonial officials were allocated this hill by the then Kabaka of Buganda, they referred to it as "The Hill of the Impala".{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

The natives, in whose territory this British settlement was located, then translated "Hill of the Impala" as Akasozi k’empala. This was then shortened to K'empala and finally, the name ‘Kampala’ was brought to life. ''Kasozi'' means "hill", ''ke'' "of", and ''empala'' the plural of "impala". Hence the name "Kampala" came to refer to this initial British colonial settlement that would later on spread out from the occupied [[Old Kampala]] hill near the pre-existing [[Kibuga]] (capital) of the Buganda Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.myetymology.com/encyclopedia/Kampala.html
| title=Kampala: Origin of The Name
| publisher=Myetymology.com
| access-date=11 June 2014
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000657/http://www.myetymology.com/encyclopedia/Kampala.html
| archive-date=31 December 2013
| url-status=usurped
}}</ref>

== History ==
{{For timeline}}
[[File:Uganda. Kampala. The city from Cathedral Hill LOC matpc.00324.jpg|thumb|left|Kampala, the city from Cathedral Hill in 1936.]]
This area of numerous hills and swamps that later become known as Kampala was part of the core of the highly centralised [[Buganda Kingdom]]. It was also the site of the shifting ''Kibuga'' (capital) of the different ''Bassekabaka'' (kings) of the Buganda Kingdom, with each ''[[Kabaka of Buganda|Kabaka]]'' (king) upon coronation, or subsequently during their reign, setting up their ''Kibuga'' (capital) on a new or different hill as they wished or desired.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

===19th century===
The first written description of this ''Kibuga'' (capital) was by the explorer [[Sir Richard Burton]] in his book, ''The Lake Region of East Africa'', published in 1860. In the book, Burton, relying on the information collected by Snay Bin Amir, an Arab trader, described the ''Kibuga'' as:

{{Blockquote|text=…the settlement is not less than a [[day's journey]] in length, the buildings are of cane and rattan. The sultan's (Kabaka) palace is at least a mile long and the circular huts neatly arranged in a line are surrounded by a strong fence which has only four gates.}}

In 1862, when explorer [[John Speke]] arrived in Buganda, the ''Kibuga'' (capital) was at Bandabarogo, present-day [[Banda, Uganda|Banda Hill]], and the reigning ''Kabaka'' (King) was [[Mutesa I of Buganda|Mutesa&nbsp;I]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/journaldiscover02spekgoog/page/n280 | title=Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile| publisher=Harper| year=1864}}</ref>

In 1875, explorer [[Henry Morton Stanley]] reported the capital as being at present-day [[Lubaga]] Hill, where he met the same ''Kabaka'', {{nowrap|Mutesa I.}}
During this visit, Stanley wrote a letter that was published in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', inviting missionaries to come to Buganda. He also described the ''Kibuga'' in his 1870s dispatches to ''[[The New York Herald]]'', thus:

{{Blockquote|text=As we approached the capital, the highway from Usavara [Busabala] increased in width from {{convert|20|ft|m|0|abbr=in|disp=sqbr|sp=us}} to {{convert|150|ft|m|abbr=in|disp=sqbr|sp=us|round=5}}...Arrived at the capital I found the vast collection of huts crowning the eminence were the Royal Quarters, around which ran several palisades and circular courts, between which and the city was a circular road, ranging from {{convert|100|ft|m|0|abbr=in|disp=sqbr|sp=us}} to {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=in|disp=sqbr|sp=us|round=5}}  in width with gardens and huts...|source=Bennet, N.R. (ed.) ''Stanley's Dispatches to the New York Herald'', 1871–1872, 1874–1877, Boston, 1970.}}

In 1877, the first missionaries from the [[Church Mission Society]], who were of the Protestant faith, arrived from the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] and were allocated [[Namirembe Hill]]. Two years later, in 1879, the Catholic [[White Fathers]] also arrived, first settling at the present-day village of Kitebi near Lubaga; subsequently, they would be allocated [[Lubaga]] Hill. The arrival of these two missionary groups laid the ground for the religious wars of 1888 to 1892 between their new converts and forced the missionaries from [[Great Britain]] to then lobby for the British government to take over Buganda/Uganda as a protectorate.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In 1890, [[Frederick Lugard]], an agent of the [[Imperial British East Africa Company]], arrived in Buganda during the reign of [[Mwanga II of Buganda|Kabaka Mwanga&nbsp;II]], with whom he signed a treaty of protection by the British government over Buganda, and the ''Kibuga'' (capital) was located at [[Mengo, Uganda|Mengo]] Hill. [[Captain (British Army)|Captain]] Lugard would, later on, be allocated the Kampala hill that would soon be known as [[Old Kampala]], and on which he built a fort.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Monteith |first=William |date=11 December 2017 |title=Markets and monarchs: indigenous urbanism in postcolonial Kampala |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/2201473X.2017.1409402 |journal=Settler Colonial Studies |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=247–265 |doi=10.1080/2201473X.2017.1409402|s2cid=158135082 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1895, [[Mengo Senior School]], the first school offering Western education in Kampala, was opened by the [[Church Missionary Society]] at [[Namirembe hill]], where mostly the children of chiefs and pages of the royal palaces were students.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In 1897, Mwanga launched a rebellion but was defeated and was subsequently captured and [[exile]]d, in 1899, to [[the Seychelles]] alongside Omukama [[Kabalega]], and his 3-year-old son was made ''[[Kabaka]]'' by the combined forces of the European officers leading Nubian and Baganda [[Colonial troops|colonial soldiers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/ugandaat50/1370466-1379638-14dfxax/index.html|title=The betrayal and capture of Mwanga and Kabalega|website=Daily Monitor|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref> This state of affairs later culminated in the signing of the [[Buganda Agreement (1900)]] that formalised British colonial rule in Buganda.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Also in 1897, Kampala's first Western-style health facility, [[Mengo Hospital]], was opened on [[Namirembe]] hill by British doctor and missionary [[Albert Ruskin Cook|Sir Albert Ruskin Cook]]. In addition, Sir Albert Ruskin Cook founded [[Mulago Hospital]], the current National Referral Hospital, at [[Mulago]] hill in 1913.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MULAGO NATIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL - |url=https://mulagohospital.go.ug/#:~:text=Mulago%20National%20Referral%20Hospital%20(MNRH,for%20tertiary%20healthcare%20in%20Uganda. |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=mulagohospital.go.ug}}</ref>

In 1899, the [[Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa]] founded [[Lubaga Hospital]] on [[Lubaga]] Hill.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

===20th century===
In 1900, the regents of the infant ''[[Kabaka]]'' [[Daudi Cwa II of Buganda|Daudi Cwa II]] (who were [[Apolo Kagwa]], the ''[[Katikiro]]'' (Prime Minister) of Buganda, Stanislaus Mugwanya, the ''Mulamuzi'' (Chief Judge) of Buganda, and Zakaria Kisingiri, the ''Muwanika'' (Chief Treasurer) of Buganda, with [[Bishop]] [[Alfred Tucker]]), signed the [[Buganda Agreement]] on behalf of Buganda with [[Sir Harry Johnston]], who signed on behalf of the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/ugandaat50/1370466-1387958-14e15y2/index.html|title=The great Buganda land grab of 1900|website=Daily Monitor|access-date=2019-10-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Townsmen In The Making, Kampala and its suburbs|last1=Gutkind|first1=P.C.W|last2=Southall|first2=A.W|publisher=East African Institute Of Social Research|year=1957|isbn=978-0013388883|location=Kampala|pages=4}}</ref> 
This agreement with Sir Harry Johnston created new land tenures such as freehold, [[the Crown|Crown]] land, and [[mailo]], and divided up and allocated the land in such a way that would come to define the development of Kampala.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
 
The land in [[Buganda]]'s ''Kibuga'' (capital), including [[Mengo, Uganda|Mengo]] Hill and [[Makerere]] Hill, was allocated to the young ''[[Kabaka]]'', the Baganda colonial collaborators, etc., under mailo and freehold. The religious missions were also formally allocated land they were previously occupying. Thus, the Catholic [[White Fathers]] got [[Lubaga]] Hill, the Protestant [[Church Missionary Society]] got [[Namirembe]] Hill, the Muslims under Prince Nuhu Mbogo's leadership received [[Kibuli]] Hill, the [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|British Catholic]] [[Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill|Mill Hill Missionaries]] received most of [[Nsambya]] Hill. The [[Uganda Protectorate]] government obtained land classified as Crown lands in the area such as [[Old Kampala]] Hill, [[Nakasero]] Hill, etc.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

To legalise the above changes, the following laws and ordinances were subsequently passed: The Crown lands Ordinance of 1903, The Land Law of 1908, The Registration of Land Titles ordinance of 1922, and the Busulu and Envujo law of 1928.<ref>Mukwaya, A.B (1953). "The Land Tenure System in Buganda: Present day Tendencies". The Eagle Press. pp.1–22.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://makir.mak.ac.ug/bitstream/handle/10570/2733/Land-tenure-in-Buganda.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802191103/http://makir.mak.ac.ug/bitstream/handle/10570/2733/Land-tenure-in-Buganda.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-08-02|title=Land Tenure in Buganda: Present Day Practices|last=Mukwaya|first=A.B|date=1953|website=Makerere University|access-date=27 October 2019}}</ref>

In 1906, the Crown lands consisting of Old Kampala, Nakasero hills etc. and covering {{convert|567|ha|km2 acre}} was consolidated and gazetted as Kampala Township.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In 1912, Kampala Township received its first land-use plan and had a European and Asian population of 2,850.<ref>Nyakwebara, C (2010). "Chronology of Planning in Kampala: Implications for Future Structure Planning". The Urban Planning Magazine. No. 1. pp. 3–6.</ref>

In 1922, Kampala's oldest university, [[Makerere University|Makerere]], was founded as the Uganda Technical College at the present Makerere Hill and initially offered carpentry, building construction, mechanics, arts, education, agriculture, and medicine.

In 1930, the first sewerage plan was prepared to target a population of 20,000 people in the [[Nakasero]] and [[Old Kampala]] areas of the Kampala township. This plan guided sewerage development from 1936 to 1940 in planned urban areas of the Kampala Township and excluded the ''Kibuga'' area occupied by the [[Baganda]] and other natives.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Nilsson | first=David | title=A heritage of unsustainability? Reviewing the origin of the large-scale water and sanitation system in Kampala, Uganda | journal=Environment and Urbanization | publisher=SAGE Publications | volume=18 | issue=2 | year=2006 | issn=0956-2478 | doi=10.1177/0956247806069618 | pages=369–385| doi-access=free | bibcode=2006EnUrb..18..369N }}</ref>
[[File:Uganda. Kampala. Imperial Hotel LOC matpc.17441.jpg|thumb|Kampala. The Imperial Hotel in 1936.]]

In 1931, the [[Uganda Railway]] line reached Kampala, connecting Kampala to [[Mombasa Port]], thirty-five years after the commencement of its construction.<ref>{{cite web | last=Lubega | first=Henry | title=History of Uganda Railway | website=Daily Monitor | date=2015-04-18 | url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/History--Uganda--Railway/689844-2689814-ojyae0z/index.html | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

In 1938, The East African Power & Lighting Company was granted a licence for thermal electric power generation and distribution for the towns of Kampala and [[Entebbe]], and in the same year [[Philip Mitchell (colonial administrator)|Sir Philip Mitchel]], the [[Governor of Uganda]], switched on Kampala and Uganda's first electric [[street lights]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Gore|first=Christopher D.|title=Electricity in Africa: The Politics of Transformation in Uganda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5bM4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA34|year=2017|publisher=Boydell & Brewer|isbn=978-1-84701-168-8|page=34}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mugabe | first=Faustin | title=110 years of electricity in Uganda | website=Daily Monitor | date=2018-04-20 | url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/110-years-electricity-Uganda/688342-4491242-pdxww5z/index.html | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

In 1945, [[Ernst May]], a German architect, was commissioned by the [[Uganda Protectorate]] Government to design a new physical plan for Kampala. Ernst May's plan of 1947 was intended to extend Kampala eastwards covering [[Kololo]] Hill and [[Naguru, Uganda|Naguru]] Hill, and with the commercial centre on the southern slopes of [[Nakasero]] Hill, an industrial zone in the southeast of Kampala, and, for the first time, a planned residential zone for the Ugandan natives.<ref name="auto1">{{cite book|last1=Pinther|first1=Kerstin|last2=Förster|first2=Larissa|last3=Hanussek|first3=Christian|title=Afropolis: City Media Art|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9lcn62brtGQC&pg=PA59|year=2012|publisher=Jacana Media|isbn=978-1-4314-0325-7|page=59}}</ref> The plan was never fully implemented, and in 1951 the third physical plan by [[Henry Kendall (urban planner)|Henry Kendall]] was instead adopted, though it incorporated some elements of Ernst May's 1947 plan.<ref name="Folkers, Antoni S. 2019 p. 61">Folkers, Antoni S. et al. (2019). "Modern Architecture in Africa: Practical Encounters with Intricate African Modernity". Springer. 1st Ed. p. 61.</ref>
[[File:Uganda Printers Kampala 1950s.jpg|thumb|left|Kampala in 1950s]]
Henry Kendall's 1951 plan expanded Kampala from the {{convert|5.67|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} area of the 1930 plan to an area of {{convert|28|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} incorporating areas like [[Kololo]] Hill, and the Industrial Area. However, like the first two planning schemes, the 1951 plan failed to achieve many of its stated objectives.<ref name="Folkers, Antoni S. 2019 p. 61"/>

On 9 October 1962, [[Uganda]] gained independence; subsequently the capital city was transferred from [[Entebbe]] to Kampala and in the same year, Kampala was granted [[city status]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In 1968, six years after Uganda attained independence, the boundaries of Kampala were expanded incorporating the ''Kibuga'' (then known as Mengo Municipality), Kawempe and Nakawa Townships, and areas including Muyenga and Ggaba.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite book|url=http://www.rrojasdatabank.info/kampala.pdf|title=Situation Analysis of Informal Settlements in Kampala|publisher=United Nations Human Settlements Programme|year=2007}}</ref> This increased the administrative area of Kampala from {{convert|28|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} to the current {{convert|189|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}}.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In 1972, the fourth physical plan for Kampala was made covering the newly incorporated areas of Kampala's boundary extensions of 1968, but the subsequent political and economic turmoil of the 1970s and 1980s meant the plan was never implemented.<ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{Cite conference|last1=Omolo-Okalebo|first1=Fredrick|last2=Sengendo|first2=Hannington|date=Jan–Feb 2011|title=Perspectives on City Planning of Post Independence Kampala: The Emergence of the Metropolitan Growth Model and the Hexagonal Cell|url=https://news.mak.ac.ug/documents/Makfiles/aet2011/Omolo.pdf|conference=Second International Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology|pages=64–71|access-date=2019-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210143645/http://news.mak.ac.ug/documents/Makfiles/aet2011/Omolo.pdf|archive-date=2013-02-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Battle of Kampala]] during the [[Ugandan Bush War]] occurred in January 1986. It resulted in the capture of the city by the [[National Resistance Movement]], led by [[Yoweri Museveni]] and the subsequent surrender of the [[Ugandan government]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Similarly, the fifth physical plan for Kampala, made in 1994, like the 1972 plan, was also never implemented.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Participatory physical planning in Uganda: investigation on public participation processes during the {{as written|prepe|ration [sic]}} of the 1994 Kampala structure plan |url=http://makir.mak.ac.ug/handle/10570/4029 |publisher=Makerere University |date=June 2012 |degree=Thesis |language=en |first=Miriam |last=Lawino}}</ref>

===21st century===
In 2010, the [[Kampala Capital City Authority]] Act was enacted, giving the Ugandan Government more control of the administration of Kampala. The act also created the Kampala Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority with the stated aims of improving the infrastructure of the City of Kampala and the surrounding districts of [[Wakiso District|Wakiso]], [[Mukono District|Mukono]], [[Buikwe District|Buikwe]], [[Mpigi District|Mpigi]] and [[Luweero District|Luwero]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Kampala Capital City Act, 2010 | website=Uganda Legal Information Institute | date=2010-12-28 | url=https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/act/2015/1-8 | access-date=2019-08-27 | archive-date=2019-08-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823201202/https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/act/2015/1-8 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 11 July 2010, suicide bombers affiliated with [[al-Shabaab (militant group)|al-Shabaab]], a Sunni [[Islamism|Islamist]] group based in [[Somalia]], carried out [[2010 Kampala bombings|two nearly simultaneous bombings in Kampala]], killing 74 people.<ref>{{Citation |last=Boyle |first=Emma Leonard |title=Eleven years since the Kampala world cup bombings: what we remember and why |date=2023-03-30 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003377863-23 |work=9/11 Twenty Years On |pages=94–97 |access-date=2024-01-12 |place=London |publisher=Routledge |doi=10.4324/9781003377863-23 |isbn=978-1-003-37786-3|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |title=Jihadists in Congo are extending their reach in the region |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/06/22/jihadists-in-congo-are-extending-their-reach-in-the-region |access-date=2024-01-12 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> After eleven years of relative calm, on 16 November 2021, the [[Allied Democratic Forces]] (ADF), an Islamist group based in [[Republic of the Congo|eastern Congo]] with ties to the [[Islamic State]], carried out [[2021 Uganda bombings|two suicide bombings]] near the central police station and parliament, killing three people and injuring 36.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ntale |first=Tim Lister, Ruba Alhenawi, Hande Atay Alam, Samson |date=2021-11-17 |title=Islamic State claims responsibility for Uganda bombings |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/17/africa/uganda-islamic-state-bombing-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-16 |title=Uganda Police Say Three Killed, 33 Injured in Twin Suicide Bombings |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/deadly-explosions-near-uganda-s-parliament-central-police-station/6315067.html |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Voice of America }}</ref><ref name=":3" />

== Geography ==
[[File:KAMPALA.LAKE VICTORIA.1 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Lake Victoria]]]]

=== Topography ===
[[File:Apartment block in kololo Kampala.jpg|thumb|left|Apartment block in Kololo]]
The City of Kampala covers a total area of {{convert|189|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}}, comprising {{convert|176|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} of land and {{convert|13|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} of water.

Kampala is a hilly place with its valleys filled with sluggish rivers/ swamps. The highest point in the city proper is the summit of [[Kololo]] hill at {{convert|1311|m|ft}}, located in the center of the city and the lowest point at the shores of [[Lake Victoria]] south of the city center at altitude of {{convert|1135|m|ft}}.

==== Hills ====
[[File:Kampala Kasubi Tombs.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Kasubi Tombs]]]]
Kampala was originally [[List of cities claimed to be built on seven hills|built on seven hills]], but it has expanded to cover more than the original seven hills.

The original seven hills are:

* [[Old Kampala]] Hill on which Fort Lugard was located, the first seat of the British colonial authorities in colonial Uganda.
* The second is [[Mengo, Uganda|Mengo Hill]] which was the then Kibuga (capital) of Buganda kingdom at the start of British colonial rule.
* The third is [[Kibuli]] Hill, that is home to the [[Kibuli Mosque]].
* The fourth is [[Namirembe]] Hill, that was home to the Anglican (Wangeleza) faction of the Buganda religious wars of 1888 to 1892 and site of Namirembe [[Anglican]] [[Cathedral]].
* The fifth is [[Lubaga]] Hill, that was home to the White Fathers Catholic (Wafaransa) faction of the above-mentioned Buganda religious wars and also site of the Rubaga Catholic Cathedral.
* The sixth is [[Nsambya]] Hill, site of the former Cathedral of St Peter's Nsambya and allocated to the [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|British Catholic]] Mill Hill Mission during the signing of the Uganda Agreement (1900).
* The seventh is [[Nakasero]] Hill on whose summit was Fort Nakasero, a British military installation built after relocating from Fort Lugard in Old Kampala. The hill was also the site of the European Hospital (the current government analytical laboratory opposite Ministry of Public Service headquarters).

==== Swamps and slow rivers ====
Due to Kampala's hilly nature and tropical climate, the valleys have slow rivers and swamps that tend to flow southwards towards [[Lake Victoria]] or northwards. These swamps cover 15% of Kampala's land area. They include:
* Kinawataka swamp river covering an area of {{convert|1.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}}  flowing southwards into [[Lake Victoria]] and is located in [[Nakawa Division]].<ref name="Gumm">{{Cite journal|last=Gumm|first=Emily|date=2011-04-01|title=The Use and Misuse of Wetlands in Kampala|url=https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/1022|journal=Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection}}</ref>
* Nakivubo swamp river covering an area of {{convert|5.29|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} flowing southwards to Lake Victoria from the foothills of [[Makerere]] and of length {{convert|9|km|mi}}.<ref name="Gumm"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Nakivubo-Channel--where-good-and-bad-meet/691232-1737368-p4nbyc/index.html|title=Nakivubo Channel, where good and bad meet|website=Daily Monitor|access-date=2019-11-01}}</ref>
*[[Lubigi]] swamp covering an area of {{convert|2.85|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} flowing westwards from the foothills of [[Kisaasi]] into the [[Mayanja River]].<ref name="Gumm"/>
* Kansanga swamp<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-19 |title=Wetlands on verge of extinction |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/wetlands-on-verge-of-extinction-1652336 |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Monitor }}</ref>
* Kyetinda swamp

=== Vegetation ===
Kampala, due to the diversity of habitats that include [[wetland]]s and hills, was previously covered with short grasses on the tops of the hills, elephant grass (''Pennisetum purpureum'' Schumach.), ''[[Cyperus papyrus]]'', African water lily etc. in the swamps and evergreen forests with trees such as [[Canarium schweinfurthii|African olive (mpafu)]] and [[Ficus natalensis|Natal fig (mutuba)]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Thomas|first=A. S.|date=July 1946|title=The Vegetation of Some Hillsides in Uganda: Illustrations of Human Influence in Tropical Ecology. II|journal=The Journal of Ecology|volume=33|issue=2|pages=153–172|doi=10.2307/2256463|jstor=2256463|bibcode=1946JEcol..33..153T }}</ref>

=== Geology ===
Kampala is located on the [[East African Plateau]] between the two arms of the [[East African Rift]]  and on the northern limits of [[Tanzania craton|Tanzania Craton]].
{{wide image|Kampala from old mosque.jpg|2000px|align-cap=center|360-degree Kampala City panorama from the Old Gaddafi Mosque}}

=== Climate ===
Kampala has a [[tropical rainforest climate]] (''Af'') under the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]].

A facet of Kampala's weather is that it features two annual [[wet season|wetter seasons]]. While the city does not have a true [[dry season]] month, it experiences heavier precipitation from August to December and from February to June. However, it is between February and June that Kampala sees substantially heavier rainfall per month, with April typically seeing the heaviest amount of precipitation at an average of around {{convert|169|mm|in}} of rain.

{{Weather box|location = Kampala
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 33
|Feb record high C = 36
|Mar record high C = 33
|Apr record high C = 33
|May record high C = 29
|Jun record high C = 29
|Jul record high C = 29
|Aug record high C = 29
|Sep record high C = 31
|Oct record high C = 32
|Nov record high C = 32
|Dec record high C = 32
|Jan high C = 28.6
|Feb high C = 29.3
|Mar high C = 28.7
|Apr high C = 27.7
|May high C = 27.3
|Jun high C = 27.1
|Jul high C = 26.9
|Aug high C = 27.2
|Sep high C = 27.9
|Oct high C = 27.7
|Nov high C = 27.4
|Dec high C = 27.9
|year high C = 27.8
|Jan mean C=23.2
|Feb mean C=23.7
|Mar mean C=23.4
|Apr mean C=22.9
|May mean C=22.6
|Jun mean C=22.4
|Jul mean C=22.0
|Aug mean C=22.2
|Sep mean C=22.6
|Oct mean C=22.6
|Nov mean C=22.5
|Dec mean C=22.7
|Jan low C = 17.7
|Feb low C = 18.0
|Mar low C = 18.1
|Apr low C = 18.0
|May low C = 17.9
|Jun low C = 17.6
|Jul low C = 17.1
|Aug low C = 17.1
|Sep low C = 17.2
|Oct low C = 17.4
|Nov low C = 17.5
|Dec low C = 17.5
|year low C = 17.6
|Jan record low C = 12
|Feb record low C = 14
|Mar record low C = 13
|Apr record low C = 14
|May record low C = 15
|Jun record low C = 12
|Jul record low C = 12
|Aug record low C = 12
|Sep record low C = 13
|Oct record low C = 13
|Nov record low C = 14
|Dec record low C = 12
|rain colour=green
|Jan rain mm = 68.4
|Feb rain mm = 63.0
|Mar rain mm = 131.5
|Apr rain mm = 169.3
|May rain mm = 117.5
|Jun rain mm = 69.2
|Jul rain mm = 63.1
|Aug rain mm = 95.7
|Sep rain mm = 108.4
|Oct rain mm = 138.0
|Nov rain mm = 148.7
|Dec rain mm = 91.5
|year rain mm =
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 4.8
|Feb rain days = 5.1
|Mar rain days = 9.5
|Apr rain days = 12.2
|May rain days = 10.9
|Jun rain days = 6.3
|Jul rain days = 4.7
|Aug rain days = 6.7
|Sep rain days = 8.6
|Oct rain days = 9.1
|Nov rain days = 8.4
|Dec rain days = 7.4
|year rain days =
|Jan humidity = 66
|Feb humidity = 68.5
|Mar humidity = 73
|Apr humidity = 78.5
|May humidity = 80.5
|Jun humidity = 78.5
|Jul humidity = 77.5
|Aug humidity = 77.5
|Sep humidity = 75.5
|Oct humidity = 73.5
|Nov humidity = 73
|Dec humidity = 71.5
|year humidity = 74.5
|Jan sun = 155
|Feb sun = 170
|Mar sun = 155
|Apr sun = 120
|May sun = 124
|Jun sun = 180
|Jul sun = 186
|Aug sun = 155
|Sep sun = 150
|Oct sun = 155
|Nov sun = 150
|Dec sun = 124
|year sun = 1824
|source 1 = ''[[World Meteorological Organization]]'',<ref name = WMO>{{cite web | title=World Weather Information Service: Kampala | website=World Meteorological Organization | url=http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1328 | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> ''Climate-Data.org'' for mean temperatures<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web | access-date=2019-08-27 | url=https://en.climate-data.org/africa/uganda/central-region/kampala-5578/ | title=Kampala Climate | website=Climate-Data.org}}</ref>

|source 2 = ''BBC Weather''<ref>{{cite web | title=Kampala | website=BBC Weather | url=https://www.bbc.com/weather/232422 | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

== Education ==
[[File:Ssetendekero Makerere.jpg|thumb|[[Makerere University]]]]
[[File:Makerere Univesity main Building -colonial years.png|thumb|Makerere University Main building in the pre independence years]]
'''Pre-primary education'''

Pre-primary education is offered only by private entities which are located in the various neighbourhoods of Kampala and is lightly regulated by the [[Ministry of Education and Sports (Uganda)|Ministry of Education and Sports]] and starts from age of 6 weeks. Education in Kampala city is provided by a vast number of public and private institutions offering a wide range of educational training that includes pre-primary, primary, secondary, vocational, technical undergraduate and post-graduate education.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

'''Primary and secondary education in Kampala'''

Kampala has a number of both primary and secondary schools in every parish that are mostly privately owned and a handful that are state-owned and are also lightly regulated by the City Education directorate and Ministry of Education and Sports.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.kcca.go.ug/Education |title = Education – KAMPALA CAPITAL CITY AUTHORITY &#124; for a better City}}</ref>

Some of the private institutions:

* Kampala Parents School
* Aga Khan School
* Gayaza High School
* Good Times Primary School
* Global Junior School<ref name=":2" />
*Kawempe Muslim secondary school 
{{Further|Kinaawa High School Kawempe}}

'''Vocational and technical education in Kampala'''

Kampala has a number of both private and state institutions offering training in a broad range of fields as indicated in the table below:
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+
|-
! Vocation/technical 
institution
! Speciality !! Location
!Ownership!! Est
|-
| Nakawa Vocational Training Institute<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.btvet-uganda.org/training-provider/homepages/nakawa-vocational-training-institute/view|title=Nakawa Vocational training Institute — Uganda BTVET – Business Technical Vocational Education and Training|website=www.btvet-uganda.org|access-date=2019-09-17|archive-date=2019-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914024557/http://btvet-uganda.org/training-provider/homepages/nakawa-vocational-training-institute/view|url-status=dead}}</ref>||
* Electricity/electronic
* Automotive/auto – electrical
* Brick/block laying and concrete practice
* Welding and fabrication
* Sheet metal and plumbing
* Wood working
* Machining and Fitting
| Nakawa
|State owned|| 1971
|-
| Tiner International School of Beauty<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.btvet-uganda.org/training-provider/homepages/tiner-international-school-of-beauty|title=Tiner International School of Beauty Hairdressing Art & Fashion Designing — Uganda BTVET – Business Technical Vocational Education and Training|website=www.btvet-uganda.org|access-date=2019-09-17|archive-date=2019-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927012215/http://www.btvet-uganda.org/training-provider/homepages/tiner-international-school-of-beauty|url-status=dead}}</ref>||
* Hairdressing
* Beauty therapy
| Wandegeya
|Private|| 1995
|-
| Jimmy Sekasi Institute of Catering<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.btvet-uganda.org/training-provider/homepages/jimmy-ssekasi-institute|title=Jimmy Sekasi Institute of Catering — Uganda BTVET – Business Technical Vocational Education and Training|website=www.btvet-uganda.org|access-date=2019-09-17|archive-date=2019-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914025302/http://www.btvet-uganda.org/training-provider/homepages/jimmy-ssekasi-institute|url-status=dead}}</ref>||
* Food and beverage
| Kabalagala
|Private|| 1989
|-
|St Mbaaga Major Seminary<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1425216/100-seminarians-graduate-st-mbaaga-seminary|title=100 seminarians graduate at St. Mbaaga Seminary|website=www.newvision.co.ug|access-date=2019-09-17|archive-date=2016-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618065832/http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1425216/100-seminarians-graduate-st-mbaaga-seminary|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|
* Theology
|Ggaba
|Private
|1976
|}
The city is also home to various public and private universities in the country including [[Makerere University]], [[Kyambogo University]], [[Kampala University]], [[African Bible University (Uganda)|African Bible University]], [[International University of East Africa]], [[Ndejje University]] and many others.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} [[File:Kyambogo University Central library.jpg | thumb|220x124px | right | alt= A library at kyambogo university Kampala  | Kyambogo university library]]

== Demographics ==
[[File:Location map Kampala.png|thumb|Street map of Kampala]]
[[File:Kampala 32.57974E 0.29781N.jpg|thumbnail|left|View of Kampala from space]]
{{See also|Demographics of Uganda}}

The population of Kampala city proper has been rapidly increasing from 62,264 in 1948 to 1,189,142 in 2002, then 1,507,080 in 2014. In 2019, the population was estimated to be 1,650,800.<ref>{{cite web | title=Uganda: Regions, Major Cities & Towns | website=CityPopulation.de | date=18 January 1980 | url=http://citypopulation.de/Uganda-Cities.html | access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=National Population and Housing Census 2014 Main Report | publisher=Uganda Bureau of Statistics | access-date=1 January 2017 | url=http://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/NPHC/2014%20National%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012091133/http://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/NPHC/2014%20National%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf | archive-date=12 October 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to the 2024 Uganda Population and Housing Census, Kampala had a population of 1,797,722 residents, consisting of 1,004,884 males and 792,838 females. The average household size in the city was 2.9 persons.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2025 |title=Kampala City {{!}} NPHC 2024 |url=https://statistics.ubos.org/nphc/drilldown?subregion=12&district=102 |access-date=24 August 2025 |website=National Population and Housing Census 2024 |publisher=Uganda Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>

Kampala, being the capital city and economic engine of Uganda, has a diverse ethnic population drawn from all parts of the country and also from neighboring countries such as [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Rwanda]], [[South Sudan]], [[Eritrea]], [[Somalia]], and even from countries as far away as India and China.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/10-000-Chinese-migrants-Uganda-illegally/688606-3810216-tog18lz/index.html |title=More than 10,000 Chinese migrants in Uganda illegally|date=2 January 2021 |orig-date=February 12, 2017 |website=Monitor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928120829/https://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/10-000-Chinese-migrants-Uganda-illegally/688606-3810216-tog18lz/index.html |archive-date= Sep 28, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.immigration.go.ug/media/press-statement-28-suspected-illegal-immigrants-arrested |website=Ministry of Internal Affairs |title=Press Statement: 28 Suspected Illegal Immigrants Arrested |date=25 July 2016 |access-date=17 September 2019 |archive-date=8 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408003720/https://www.immigration.go.ug/media/press-statement-28-suspected-illegal-immigrants-arrested |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/Why-Somalis-feel-at-home-in-Kisenyi-slum-Uganda/434746-2522790-rixv60z/index.html |title=Kisenyi slum: The Little Mogadishu of Kampala|date=6 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kcca.go.ug/media/docs/Kampala%20Urban%20Refugees%20And%20Host%20Community%20Needs%20Report.pdf|title=UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF URBAN REFUGEES AND HOST COMMUNITIES RESIDING IN VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS OF KAMPALA|access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref>

Cross-cultural intimate relations in Kampala and even Uganda as a whole is still unusual. Although many of Kampala's residents live and work in close contact, they still define themselves by their ethnic origins. This is more evident in the native languages (alongside [[Luganda]] and English) that are used at home, workplaces, and public spaces. In addition to the [[Baganda]] and Banyankole, other large ethnic groups include the [[Basoga]], [[Kisoro|Bafumbira]], [[Toro Kingdom|Batoro]], [[Bakiga]], [[Alur people|Alur]], [[Bagisu]] (better known as Bamasaba), [[Banyoro]], [[Iteso]], [[Lango people|Langi]], and [[Acholi people|Acholi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uganda/|title=Africa :: Uganda|date=21 August 2019|website=The World Factbook|access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref>

Historical population data for Kampala

{| class="wikitable"
|+

!Year
!1948
!1959
!1969
!1980
!1991
!2002
!2014
!2019
!2024
|-
|Kampala (city proper)
|62,264<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Sv-AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA4|title=Neighbours and Nationals in an African City Ward|last=Parkin|first=David|date=2013-11-05|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781136532412}}</ref>
|107,058<ref name=":0" />
|330,700<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ubos.org/publications/statistical/20/|title=Statistical – Page 20 – Uganda Bureau of Statistics|access-date=2019-09-17}}</ref>
|458,503<ref name=":1" />
|774,241<ref name=":1" />
|1,189,142<ref name=":1" />
|1,507,080<ref name=":1" />
|1,650,800<ref name=":1" />
|1,797,722<ref name=":4" />
|}

== Culture ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2024}}
[[File:A group of dancers in Kampala.jpg|thumb|Ndere Centre in Kampala is a centre where all traditional Ugandan dances are represented. This dance is from the south of Uganda, on the border with Rwanda.]]

=== Cultural institutions ===
Prominent cultural institutions include the [[Uganda Museum]] and the [[Ugandan National Theatre]].
The city also serves as the seat of the [[Buganda]] kingdom in [[Mengo, Uganda|Mengo]].[[File:Mengo Bulange ........(Royal Seat Of the Buganda Kingdom).jpg | thumb|220x124px | right | alt= Kampala culture  | Bulange Mengo the headquarters of Buganda kingdom]]

One of the most notable sites is the [[Kasubi Tombs]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial grounds of the Buganda kings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kasubi Tombs Ruins |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-ruins-kasubi-tombs-of-uganda |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Independence Monument (Uganda)|Independence Monument]], located in the heart of Kampala, is a symbol of Uganda's freedom from colonial rule.

=== Shopping and entertainment ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2024}}
Kampala is also known for its vibrant shopping scene, offering everything from traditional crafts to modern fashion. Owino market (also known as St Balikuddembe market) is one of the largest and busiest markets in Uganda, where one can find an array of goods including clothes, shoes, and fresh produce.

The city is also filled with a number of shopping malls, such as Acacia Mall, Arena Mall, and Village Mall.<ref name=":5" />

Wandegeya Market is located near [[Makerere University]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wandegeya Market, Kampala, Uganda - Reviews, Ratings, Tips and Why You Should Go |url=https://wanderlog.com/place/details/10182902/wandegeya-market |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Wanderlog |language=en}}</ref> There is also [[Nakasero Market]], one of Africa's largest and liveliest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yam |date=2024-12-21 |title=Visiting the Overcrowded Nakasero Market in Kampala: A Thrilling Experience Worth the Risk - Kosupa Travel |url=https://en.kosupatravel.com/entry/2024/12/21/uganda-visiting-the-overcrowded-nakasero-market-a-thrilling-experience-worth-the-risk |access-date=2025-07-20 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Kampala's nightlife is another aspect of the city's leisure that cannot be overlooked. The city is alive with music and dance, with numerous bars, clubs, and lounges offering entertainment late into the night. [[Kabalagala]] and [[Kololo]] are popular areas for nightlife.

===Cuisine ===
[[File:Matooke and chapati.jpg |thumb|220x124px |right |alt= Foods in Kampala |Kampala's cuisine]]

For those who prefer dining in a more formal setting, Kampala has numerous restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines. {{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Cafe javas is a popular chain that offers a blend of local and international dishes for both a casual meal and a business meeting. {{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

One dish is called TV Chicken, named because the chicken is roasted in a rotisserie oven with a glass window that customers can watch the chicken through.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uganda's 'TV Chicken' Is Dinner and a Show |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/tv-chicken-uganda |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>

Nsenene vendors (nsenene are grasshoppers) set up shop in May and November, during grasshopper season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fried Grasshopper Is a Popular Bar Snack In Uganda |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/nsenene-grasshopper-uganda |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>

Gaba Fish Market, located on Lake Victoria, is the biggest fish market in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Julie Syl and |date=2018-03-05 |title=How to Eat Like a Local in Kampala Uganda, East Africa! |url=https://pkjulesworld.com/eat-like-a-local-in-kampala/ |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Travel - See. Do. Be More. |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Beff luwombo after preparation.jpg | thumb|220x124px | right | Luwombo a special dish in Kampala]]

=== Ndere Cultural Centre ===
A prominent cultural centre in the Kampala area of Kisasi that aims to promote Ugandan and African cultural expressions through music, dance, and drama. The name Ndere is derived from the noun 'endere', which means flute. As an instrument found in all cultures, it is chosen as a peaceful symbol of the universality of cultural expressions. The Ndere centre is famous for its Ndere troupe, a music and dance troupe that perform several nights every week at the centre showcasing music and dance from all over Uganda as well as Rwanda and Burundi.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1338374/ndere-centre-african-culture-alive
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814133626/http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1338374/ndere-centre-african-culture-alive
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=August 14, 2017
|title=Ndere Centre, Where African Culture Is Very Alive
|last=Kakembo
|first=Titus
|date=2014-03-05
|newspaper=[[New Vision]]
|access-date=2019-08-27
}}</ref>

[[File:Madela National Stadium.jpg|thumb|[[Mandela National Stadium]]]]

== Sport ==
Kampala is home to the [[City Oilers]], one of East Africa's top basketball club teams. It is the only East African team that competes in the [[FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup]]. The Oilers play their home games in the [[MTN Arena]], which is based in Kampala's [[Lugogo Area]].<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1319958/juruni-eyes-2013-basketball-crown
|title=Juruni Eyes 2013 Basketball Crown
|last=Mutebi
|first=Charles
|date=2013-05-17
|newspaper=[[New Vision]]
|access-date=2019-08-27
|archive-date=2019-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827020439/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1319958/juruni-eyes-2013-basketball-crown
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

The city hosted the [[IAAF World Cross Country Championships]] in [[2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|2017]].
The city also hosted the [[Rugby Africa Cup]] in 2024 at the [[Mandela National Stadium]]. 
The [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations]] will be hosted in the city alongside neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Kenya.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

The [[Mandela National Stadium]], commonly known as Namboole Stadium, is the largest and most iconic sports facility in Uganda. Located just outside Kampala in Bweyogerere, this multi-purpose stadium has a seating capacity of over 45,000 and is the primary venue for major sporting events, including football matches, athletics, and concerts. The stadium is home to the Uganda national football team, the Cranes, and hosts various local and international competitions.

Lugogo Sports Complex is a sports hub in Kampala, offering facilities for a range of sports including tennis, cricket, and boxing. The MTN Arena within the complex is a modern indoor arena with a capacity of around 3,000, used for basketball, netball, volleyball, and other indoor sports. The [[Lugogo Stadium|Lugogo Cricket Oval]] is another highlight, hosting national and international cricket matches, making it the center of cricket in Uganda.

The Kampala Golf Club, located in the heart of the city, is Uganda's oldest golf course and a premier destination for golfers. The 18-hole course offers a challenging yet scenic layout, with well-maintained greens and fairways. The club also has a driving range and a clubhouse, making it a popular spot for both serious golfers and those looking to relax in a green environment.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

[[File:Night aerial view of Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo Kampala 03.jpg |thumb|220x124px |right |alt= Sports in Kampala |Hamz stadium in Nakivubo]]

The renewed [[Nakivubo Stadium|Hamz Nakivubo Stadium]], formerly known as Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, is in the central business district of Kampala.

The city is home to various football clubs playing in the [[Uganda Premier League]] such as [[Kampala Capital City Authority FC]], [[SC Villa]], [[Police FC (Uganda)|Police FC]], and [[Express FC]]
There are also a number of teams in Kampala playing in the [[FUFA Women Super League]] like [[Kawempe Muslim LFC]], [[Lady Doves FC]] and many others

== Economy ==

[[File:Lake Victoria Fishermen in Uganda.png|thumb|left|Traditional fishermen on Lake Victoria outside Kampala]]
[[File:The Church House, Kampala Road, Kampala, Uganda.jpg|thumb|The Church House, downtown Kampala]]
Efforts are underway to relocate heavy industry to the [[Kampala Business and Industrial Park]], located in [[Namanve]], [[Mukono District]], approximately {{convert|14|km|mi}} east of the city's central business district,<ref>{{cite web | access-date=2019-08-27 | url=https://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Uganda_Distance_Result.asp?dt1=ChIJCacTwgW5fRcRPuJJw9VOeWU&dt2=ChIJjakXW0K4fRcR3RiO3ljyJ0Q | title=Distance between Kampala Road and Namanve Industrial Park, Mukono, Central Region, Uganda | website=Globefeed Distance Calculator}}</ref> thereby cutting down on city traffic congestion. Some of the businesses that maintain their headquarters in the city center include all of the 25 [[commercial bank]]s licensed in Uganda; the [[New Vision Group]], the leading news media conglomerate and majority owned by the government; and the ''[[Daily Monitor]]'' publication, a member of the Kenya-based [[Nation Media Group]]. [[Air Uganda]] maintained its headquarters in an office complex on [[Kololo]] Hill in Kampala.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1249387/air-uganda-increases-flights-dar
|title=Air Uganda Increases Flights To Dar
|date=2009-02-23
|newspaper=[[New Vision]]
|access-date=2019-08-27
|archive-date=2019-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827020402/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1249387/air-uganda-increases-flights-dar
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> Crown Beverages Limited, the sole [[Pepsi-Cola]] franchise bottler in the country, is situated in [[Nakawa]], a division of Kampala, about {{convert|5|km|0}} east of the city centre.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=3 February 2016|url=http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/117-supplement/8335-two-decades-of-positive-growthfor-crownbeverages|title=Two decades of positive growth for Crown Beverages|date=14 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Independent (Uganda)]]|location=Kampala|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203233410/http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/117-supplement/8335-two-decades-of-positive-growthfor-crownbeverages|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The informal sector is a large contributor to Kampala's GDP. Citizens who work in the formal sector also participate in informal activities to earn more income for their families. A public servant in Kampala, for example, may engage in agriculture in addition to working in the formal sector. Other informal fields include owning taxis and urban agriculture. The use of Kampala's wetlands for urban farming has increased over the past few decades. It connects the informal rural settlements with the more industrialized parts of the city. The produce grown in the wetlands is sold in markets in the urban areas.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Isunju | first1=John Bosco | last2=Orach | first2=Christopher Garimoi | last3=Kemp | first3=Jaco | title=Hazards and vulnerabilities among informal wetland communities in Kampala, Uganda | journal=Environment and Urbanization | publisher=SAGE Publications | volume=28 | issue=1 | date=2015-12-14 | issn=0956-2478 | doi=10.1177/0956247815613689 | pages=275–293| doi-access=free }}</ref>

In December 2015, Google launched its first [[Wi-Fi]] network in Kampala.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35000544|title=Google launches wi-fi network in Kampala, Uganda|date=2015-12-04|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

While more than 30 percent of Kampala's inhabitants practice [[urban agriculture]], the city of Kampala donated {{convert|32|acre|ha|order=flip}} to promote urban agriculture in the northeastern parish of Kyanja, in [[Nakawa Division]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wolfe|first1=Jeanne M.|last2=McCans|first2=Sarah|date=June 2009|title=Designing for Urban Agriculture in an African City: Kampala, Uganda.|url=https://www.mcgill.ca/mchg/files/mchg/06-wolfe.pdf|journal=Open House International|volume=34|issue=2|pages=25–35|doi=10.1108/OHI-02-2009-B0004|bibcode=2009OHIng..34...25W |issn=0168-2601|oclc=311401512}}</ref>

== Transport ==
Kampala is served by [[Entebbe International Airport]], which is the largest airport in Uganda.
[[File:Uganda - Kampala Taxi stop.jpg|thumb|left|Taxi station in Kampala]]
[[File:Pioneer Buses Uganda.jpg|thumb|Pioneer buses (2020)]]
[[Boda-boda]]s (local motorbike transport) are a popular mode of transport that gives access to many areas within and outside the city. Standard fees for these range from USh:1,000 to 2,000 or more. Boda-bodas are useful for passing through rush-hour traffic, although many are poorly maintained and dangerous.<ref>{{cite news
| title=Deadly Ride: Boda Bodas Leading Cause of Hospital Casualties
| newspaper=[[New Vision]]
| date=2008-08-24
| url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1182601/deadly-ride-boda-bodas-leading-cause-hospital-casualties
| first2=Joseph
| last2=Kariuki
| first1=Francis
| last1=Kagolo
| access-date=2019-08-27
| archive-date=2019-08-27
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827020413/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1182601/deadly-ride-boda-bodas-leading-cause-hospital-casualties
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>

In early 2007, it was announced that Kampala would remove commuter taxis from its streets and replace them with a comprehensive city bus service. (In Kampala, the term "taxi" refers to a 15-seater minibus used as public transport.) The bus service was expected to cover the greater Kampala metropolitan area including [[Mukono]], [[Mpigi]], [[Bombo, Uganda|Bombo]], [[Entebbe]], [[Wakiso]] and [[Gayaza]]. {{as of|December 2011}} the service had not yet started.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1004456/pioneer-easy-buses-offer-hour-service
|title=Pioneer Easy Buses To Offer 24 Hour Service
|last=Semakula
|first=John
|date=2011-12-28
|newspaper=[[New Vision]]
|access-date=2019-08-27
|archive-date=2019-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827020358/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1004456/pioneer-easy-buses-offer-hour-service
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> Having successfully completed the Northern Bypass, the government, in collaboration with its stakeholders, now plans to introduce the [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) system in Kampala by 2014. On 12 March 2012, Pioneer Easy Bus Company, a private transport company, started public bus service in Kampala with an estimated 100 buses each with a 60-passenger capacity (30 seated and 30 standing), acquired from [[China]]. Another 422 buses were expected in the country in 2012. The buses operate 24 hours daily.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} The company has a concession to provide public transport in the city for the next five years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.ug/ugandatalks/2011/04/pioneer-easy-bus-set-to-introduce-electronic-pay-buses/?Itemid=410 | title=Pioneer Easy Bus Set to Introduce Electronic Pay Buses | date=5 April 2011 | access-date=11 June 2014 | first=Priscilla | last=Muhairwe | publisher=[[The Independent (Uganda)]] | archive-date=1 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401161852/http://www.independent.co.ug/ugandatalks/2011/04/pioneer-easy-bus-set-to-introduce-electronic-pay-buses/?itemid=410 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://welcometokampala.com/kampala/2012/pioneer-buses-start-service-taxi-strike-flops | title=Pioneer Buses Start Service, Taxi Strike Flops | publisher=Welcometokampala.com | date=12 March 2012 | access-date=11 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505212312/http://welcometokampala.com/kampala/2012/pioneer-buses-start-service-taxi-strike-flops/ | archive-date=5 May 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The buses were impounded for back taxes in December 2013. The company expected to resume operation in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Pioneer-buses-back--what-has-changed-/-/691232/2589412/-/n6taurz/-/index.html|title=Pioneer buses back: What has changed? |newspaper=[[Daily Monitor]]|date=5 January 2021 }}</ref>

In 2014, Uganda's President [[Yoweri Museveni]] and [[China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation]] signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to embark on building a light rail system, the [[Greater Kampala Light Rail]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=2015-12-16 |title=Uganda and China sign Kampala light rail MoU |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/uganda-and-china-sign-kampala-light-rail-agreement/ |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref> similar to the one in [[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia.

On 11 April 2011, the pressure group Activists for Change (A4C) held its first [[Walk to work|Walk to Work]] protest near Kampala, in response to a comment by President [[Yoweri Museveni|Museveni]] on the increased cost of fuel, which had risen by 50 percent between January and April 2011. He said: "What I call on the public to do is to use fuel sparingly. Don't drive to bars."<ref name="Time">{{cite magazine | url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2067136,00.html | title=Deadly Crackdown on Uganda's Walk-to-Work Protests | date=23 April 2011 | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera">{{cite web | url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/04/201142831330647345.html | title=Uganda walk-to-work protests kick up dust | author=Musaazi Namiti | access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> The protest, which called on workers to walk to work to highlight the increased cost of transport in Uganda,<ref name="Time" /> was disrupted by police, who fired [[tear gas]] and arrested three-time presidential candidate [[Kizza Besigye]] and [[Democratic Party (Uganda)|Democratic Party]] leader [[Norbert Mao]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13033279 | title=Kizza Besigye held over Uganda 'Walk to Work' protest | work=BBC News | access-date=25 May 2015 | date=12 April 2011}}</ref> In the course of the protest, Besigye was shot in the right arm by a rubber bullet. The government blamed the violence on protesters.<ref name="Al Jazeera" />

In 2016, the [[Rift Valley Railways Consortium]] (RVR) and [[Kampala Capital City Authority]] established passenger rail service between [[Namanve]] and Kampala and between Kampala and [[Kyengera]]. Those services were temporarily discontinued after RVR lost its concession in Uganda in October 2017.<ref name="Temp">{{cite web|access-date=24 February 2018 | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Passenger-train-services-resume-Monday/688334-4316028-5l40lxz/index.html
|title=Passenger train services to resume on Monday |first=Amos
|date=23 February 2018 |newspaper=[[Daily Monitor]] | last=Ngwomwoya |location=Kampala}}</ref> However, when [[Uganda Railways Corporation]] took over the operations of the [[metre gauge]] railway system in Uganda in 2018, the service was restored in February that year.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Alfred |last1=Ochwo |url=http://observer.ug/news/headlines/57044-ugandans-welcome-revamped-passenger-train-services.html |access-date=2 March 2018 |title=Kampalans welcome revamped passenger train services |date=27 February 2018 |first2=Mercy |last2=Ahukana |newspaper=[[The Observer (Uganda)]] |location=Kampala |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302070543/http://www.observer.ug/news/headlines/57044-ugandans-welcome-revamped-passenger-train-services.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> A new Kampala to [[Port Bell]] route is being planned to be added in the 2018/2019 financial year.<ref name="Temp" />

== Places of worship ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Baha'i House of Worship, Kampala, Uganda.jpg|Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala
File:NAMIREMBE CATHEDRAL. side view.jpg |St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral located on Namirembe Hill
File:Rubaga Cthedral.jpg|[[Rubaga Cathedral]], the seat for the Roman Catholic Church
File:Outer view Kampala National mosque.jpg | Uganda National Mosque ([[Islam]])
</gallery>

Among the [[places of worship]] are predominantly [[Christianity|Christian]] churches and temples: [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala]] ([[Catholic Church]]), [[Church of Uganda]] ([[Anglican Communion]]), [[Presbyterian Church in Uganda]] ([[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]), [[Baptist Union of Uganda]] ([[Baptist World Alliance]]), and [[Assemblies of God]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Melton|first1=J. Gordon|last2=Baumann|first2=Martin|title=Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2yiyLLOj88C&pg=PA2920|edition=2nd|year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-204-3|page=2920|oclc=764567612}}</ref> There are also [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques.

Kampala hosts a [[Bahá'í House of Worship]] known as the Mother Temple of Africa which is situated on Kikaya Hill in the outskirts of the city. The temple was inaugurated in January 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bahai.org/story/806|title=Fifty years on, Uganda's Baha'i temple stands as a symbol of unity and progress – Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS)|date=18 January 2011}}</ref>

== Health care ==
Kampala is the country's main hub for health care services. It offers a mix of public hospitals, private clinics, and specialized medical centers that serve both locals and international visitors. The quality of care varies depending on the type of facility, but in general, Kampala provides the best medical options in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ghealth121.com/top_hospitals/uganda/|title=Best Hospitals in Uganda|date=18 May 2021}}</ref>

Public health care in Kampala is overseen by the Ministry of Health. The city hosts key government hospitals such as Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda's largest and most advanced public hospital. Mulago serves as a teaching hospital for Makerere University's College of Health Sciences and provides a wide range of services, including surgery, maternal health, pediatrics, and specialized care. While public hospitals are often affordable or free, they face challenges like overcrowding, long waiting times, limited medical supplies, and under-staffing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/healthy-living/huge-population-choking-kampala-hospitals-3427132|title=Huge population choking Kampala hospitals|date=5 June 2021}}</ref>

Kampala also has a growing number of private hospitals and clinics offering higher standards of care, often preferred by the middle class, expats, and medical tourists. Some notable private institutions include: Nakasero Hospital – a modern private hospital known for advanced diagnostics and surgery. International Hospital Kampala (IHK) – a leading facility offering general and specialized care. Kampala Hospital – known for quality services and patient-focused care. Case Hospital – provides both inpatient and outpatient services among many others. Private facilities tend to be better equipped and offer faster service but come at a higher cost. Many accept international health insurance, though it's important to confirm in advance.

== Notable people ==

=== Politics ===
==== Heads of state ====
* [[Idi Amin (Dada)]]
* [[Yoweri Museveni|Yoweri Kaguta Museveni]], one of Africa's longest ruling presidents<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/uganda-s-museveni-clings-on-as-one-of-africa-s-longest-serving-leaders-3261728 | title=Uganda's Museveni clings on as one of Africa's longest serving leaders | date=19 January 2021 }}</ref>
* [[Mutesa II of Buganda]], the 1st president. [[Kabaka of Buganda]]
* [[Paulo Muwanga]], former president and prime minister
* [[Apollo Milton Obote]], led Uganda to independence in 1962<ref>[[Milton Obote, 2020-04-25]]</ref>
* [[Tito Okello]]

==== Monarchs ====
* [[Muteesa I of Buganda|Muteesa I]], the 30th [[Kabaka of Buganda]]
* [[Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda]], the 36th Kabaka of Buganda

==== Other officials ====
* [[Salma Lakhani]], Lieutenant Governor for the province of [[Alberta]], Canada
* [[Erias Lukwago]], Ugandan lawyer and politician and the Lord Mayor of Kampala City
* [[Zohran Mamdani]], New York State Assemblyman and Mayor-elect of New York City
* [[Bobi Wine]] (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu), Ugandan politician, businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist and musician

=== Activists ===
* [[Sandra Kwikiriza]], feminist, LBQ rights and digital rights activist
* [[Esther Nakajjigo]], humanitarian and human rights activist
* [[Pepe Julian Onziema]], human rights activist

=== Artists ===
* [[Alex Mukulu]]

=== Business ===
* [[Maggie Kigozi]]
* [[James Mulwana]]
* [[Sudhir Ruparelia]], Ugandan entrepreneur and builder, Founder Chairman of [[Ruparelia Group]]
* [[Hasmukh Dawda]]

=== Chess ===
* [[Robert Katende]]
* [[Phiona Mutesi]], chess prodigy and subject of the 2012 book and 2016 Disney film ''[[Queen of Katwe]]''

=== Fashion ===
* [[Santa Anzo]]
* [[Stella Atal]]
* [[Anita Beryl]]
* [[Aamito Lagum]], fashion model, winner of the first season of ''[[Africa's Next Top Model]]''
* [[Sylvia Owori]]

=== Film and television ===
* [[Shimit Amin]], Uganda-born Indian filmmaker
* [[Mathew Nabwiso]], Ugandan actor
* [[Whitney Peak (actress)|Whitney Peak]], Uganda-born Canadian actress

=== Journalists ===
* [[Yasmin Alibhai-Brown]], British journalist and author
* [[Nancy Kacungira]]
* [[Maurice Mugisha]]
* [[Rajat Neogy]], Ugandan-Indian journalist, writer, poet and founder and editor of ''[[Transition Magazine]]''
* [[Solomon Serwanjja]]

===Law===

* [[Julia Sebutinde]] (born 1954), jurist on the International Court of Justice

=== Music ===

* [[Rachael Kungu]] (born 1978), DJ and recording artist

=== Public speakers ===
* [[Derreck Kayongo]]

=== Religion and spirituality ===
* [[Robert Kayanja]]
* [[Martin Ssempa]]
* [[John Sentamu]], Archbishop of York

=== Scientists and academics ===
* [[Kwatsi Alibaruho]]
* [[Ash Amin]], British academic and geographer
* [[Venansius Baryamureeba]]
* [[Alex Coutinho]]
* [[Ellinor Catherine Cunningham van Someren]], scientist
* [[Ivan Edwards]]
* [[Sebastian Kyalwazi]]
* [[Joshua Sikhu Okonya]]
* [[Samuel Sejjaaka]], professor
* [[Robert Ssentongo (surgeon)]]

=== Sport ===
* [[Micheal Azira]], Ugandan [[Association football|footballer]], who plays for the [[New Mexico United]] in the [[USL Championship]]
* [[Cornelius Boza-Edwards]], former boxer
* [[Moses Magogo Hassim]], FUFA President who took Uganda Cranes to AFCON after 39 years and first Ugandan on CAF Executive
* [[Mandy Juruni]], basketball coach
* [[John Mugabi]], world champion boxer<ref>{{cite web | title=John Mugabi | website=Boxing Records Archive | date=1960-03-04 | url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/John_Mugabi | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>
* [[Martin Kayongo-Mutumba]]
* [[Denis Onyango]], footballer
* [[Wasswa Serwanga]], [[American football]] player
* [[Pione Sisto]], footballer, Ugandan born Danish footballer
* [[Stephen Kiprotich]], long-distance runner, Gold medallist at the [[2012 Olympics]]
* [[Joshua Cheptegei]], long-distance runner, world-record holder in the [[10,000 metres]] and [[5000 metres]]
* [[Jacob Kiplimo]], long-distance runner, world-record holder in the [[Half marathon]]

=== Writers ===
* [[Marcel Theroux]], British novelist

=== Other ===
* [[Allen Kagina]], executive director, Uganda National Roads Authority, UNRA
* [[Julius Kakeeto]], Bank executive and [[CEO]] of [[PostBank Uganda]]
* [[Jennifer Musisi]], former execute Director of [[Kampala Capital City Authority]]

People awarded the [[honorary citizenship]] of Kampala are:

{| class="wikitable" width="75%" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: middle;"
! style="text-align: left;background:#B0C4DE"|Date
! width="240" style="text-align: left;background:#B0C4DE"|Name
! style="text-align: left;background:#B0C4DE"|Notes
|-
||16 June 2017||[[Aga Khan IV]] (1936–2025)|| British humanitarian and [[Aga Khan|Imam of Nizari-Ismaili Shia Islam]]<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1455722/kcca-award-aga-khan-honorary-citizenship
|title=KCCA To Award Aga Khan With Honorary Citizenship
|last=Semakula
|first=John
|date=2017-06-16
|newspaper=[[New Vision]]
|access-date=2019-08-27
|archive-date=2019-08-26
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826111125/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1455722/kcca-award-aga-khan-honorary-citizenship
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=URN | title=Aga Khan granted Honorary Citizenship of Kampala | website=The Observer – Uganda | date=2017-06-15 | url=https://observer.ug/news/headlines/53364-aga-khan-granted-honorary-citizenship-of-kampala | access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Mengo Palace.jpg|[[Mengo Palace]]
File:KampalaSkyline.jpg|Kampala skyline
File:Parliament-Of-Uganda.JPG|Entrance to the Parliament building
File:Stride monument (Kampala) 04.JPG|Stride monument
File:KAMPALA CITY.jpg|Kampala City by night
File:Mandela National Stadium Uganda.jpg|[[Nelson Mandela National Stadium]], the home of the national football team, the Uganda Cranes
File:Independence Monument (Kampala) 02.JPG|Independence Monument
File:Church Namugongo Uganda.jpg|[[Namugongo]] Martyrs Shrine
File:The Uganda Museum Main Entrance.JPG|Uganda Museum
File:Monument at Uganda Museum.jpg|National Theatre
File:KampalaRd Uganda house Kampala.JPG|Uganda House – Kampala / Jinja Road
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Uganda|Cities}}
* [[List of banks in Uganda]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Kampala]]
* [[Timeline of Kampala#Bibliography]]
* [[Wakaliwood]] – A film studio based in Kampala

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.kcca.go.ug/}}

{{Sister bar|auto=y}}
{{Kampala District}}
{{List of African capitals}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kampala| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:Cities in the Great Rift Valley]]
[[Category:Populated places in Central Region, Uganda]]
[[Category:Populated places on Lake Victoria]]