Kampala

Why it's the capital

In 1890 Frederick Lugard of the Imperial British East Africa Company arrived in Buganda, whose capital was then at Mengo Hill, and later built a fort on Kampala hill. Entebbe was the capital under British rule, but after independence on 9 October 1962 the capital moved to Kampala.

Fun facts

1. Kampala was first built on seven hills: Old Kampala, Mengo, Kibuli, Namirembe, Lubaga, Nsambya and Nakasero. It has since spread far beyond them.
2. The name comes from 'the Hill of the Impala', a British name that local people translated as Akasozi k'empala, later shortened to Kampala.
3. The Kasubi Tombs, the burial ground of the kings of Buganda, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.