Kabaka’s Palace : Buganda Kingdom Palace, Lubiri Palace, Kabaka’s Palace tours
Situated in Mengo in Kampala Uganda, Kabaka’s Palace is one of the top tourist attractions in Kampala and a cultural site that offers one a glimpse into the history and culture of the people of Buganda. Kabaka’s Palace translates to King’s Palace as “Kabaka” in Luganda which is the local dialect for the people of Buganda means “King” hence the name Kabaka’s Palace. The palace is located in Mengo which is one of Kampala’s suburbs and can be easily visited while on a Kampala city tour.
The Kabaka’s Palace also known as Lubiri Palace is of great cultural importance to the Baganda people and a tour of the palace can offer one an opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of the people of Buganda. The Baganda are the largest ethnic group in Uganda, mainly occupying the central region of Uganda and are a Bantu ethnic group that is known for their strong attachment to their cultural tradition.
What to expect when you visit the Kabaka’s Palace in Uganda
A visit to the Kabaka’s Palace offers you an opportunity to understand the history of Kabaka’s Palace as you walk around the palace with your local site guide. The guide will explain to you in detail the history and culture of the Baganda while also telling you more information about Buganda Kingdom, a regional kingdom within Uganda.
The tour of the palace starts with briefing from your site guide, all the guides at the palace are Baganda so you are assured of a guide who not only knows the culture but is also a part of the ethnic group. The tour starts with the history of Buganda Kingdom.
Briefing with a site guide in front of the Kabaka’s Palace
Buganda Kingdom is a sub-national kingdom within Uganda and is one of the kingdoms in Uganda that has a strong connection to their cultural beliefs and norms. The Kingdom has over the years impressively worked on preserving their culture and heritage. The history of Buganda has been preserved through cultural celebrations, cultural education projects like “Ekisaakaate”, a youth yearly camp which was founded by The Nnaabagereka (the title for Queen consort of the Kingdom of Buganda) and other community programs.
Kabaka’s Palace History
The Kabaka’s palace was built by Kabaka Mwanga II in 1885 after succeeding his father Kabaka Muteesa I in 1884. Kabaka Mwanga II built his palace on Mengo Hill because of its importance to the Kingdom of Buganda and its strategic location. Mengo hill was where the Baganda of the Nvubu clan kept their grinding stones known in the local dialect as “Emmengo”. Buganda Kingdom was established in the late 14th century and became a powerful and strong state during the 19th century, the kingdom was established along the shores of Lake Victoria. The current King of Buganda is Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi 11 and the Queen of Buganda is Nnaabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda.
The guide will take you through the clans of Buganda, the kingdom is made up of more than 50 clans and each clan has a role that it plays in the Kingdom. Each clan has a clan heads (Abataka) and every Muganda belongs to a clan, the clan every Muganda belongs to is passed down by their father. Clans of Baganda people (Ebika by’ Abaganda) include Nte clan, Lokato clan, Ntalaganya clan, Nkejje clan, Nswaswa clan, Njaza clan, Ngeye clan, Mpologoma clan, Lugave clan, Mpeewo clan, Ffumbe clan and Njobe clan among others. Each of these clans have a totem and intermarriage between people that belong to the same clan is not allowed which means that if one two people belong to the same clan, they cannot get married to each other.
More of the Kabaka’s Palace Tour;
After the history of Buganda and the clans, your tour will continue to the front of the Kabaka’s Palace which is white in color. Here your guide will take you through the king’s duties and the significance of the palace to the people of Buganda. The guide will also explain to you The Royal Mile (Oluguudo lwa Kabaka Anjagala) also known as Kabaka Anjagala road which is the road that only the Kabaka uses which stretches from the palace to the Buganda Parliament (Olukiiko). The road connects the Lubiri (Kabaka’s Palace) to Bulange which is the Buganda Parliament and where the kingdom’s administrative meetings and duties are carried out. The Royal Mile is also a great attraction and significant cultural landmark to the people of Buganda, the road is usually opened for the King to use during royal ceremonies and important kingdom events like the Kabaka’s birthday.
The Kabaka’s Palace in Uganda
The tour then continues to the remains of the cars (Ebyasigalira ku Mmotoka za Ssekabaka Muteesa) that the Kings used during the olden times. These include a Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the two cars are in the palace compound and if you are keen, you will see them on arrival.
One of the cars that the Kings of Buganda used to use in the past
After the stop over at the cars, you then head to the torture chambers of Idi Amin. This part of the tour is grim reminder of the dictatorship Idi Amin during his rule and the gruesome incarceration of political prisoners at the time. Your tour guide will take you through the history of the political climate during Idi Amin’s rule as you see the chambers.
The tour of Kabaka’s Palace ends with a visit to the pictorial gallery that is situated at the reception area. Here you go through the photos that show the Kings and some family photos. You will see a framed letter of Muteesa’s letter to Queen Victoria that was written on 14th/04/1875 and published in the daily telegram on 15th November, 1875.
Photos of the past Kings in the pictorial gallery
The gallery also has a section with history books about Buganda Kingdom for purchase and post cards for sale. Your tour ends at the gallery and you are free to spend some time taking photos at the palace gardens before heading out.
Tips when visiting the Kabaka’s Palace
- Please be respectful to the culture and traditions of the kingdom when visiting the palace.
- Listen to the guidelines during briefing and follow them accordingly.
- There is a dress code that is maintained at the palace. If you are a woman make sure your dress is below the knees, if wearing trousers you can come with a scarf to cover when you enter the palace or the office attendant will provide you with a scarf to cover before you start the tour. For the men, ensure you wear long pants.
