Hope for Hearts is based in Las Vegas, a city known as a major tourist destination. Many people save up for months to travel to explore the entertainment capital of the world. But where do those of us who live here go on our vacation?

It’s National Tourism Week and I thought it would be fun to take a look at Uganda and Kampala’s tourism sites. Perhaps plan another trip to explore the country and city where our students are from. Here are the top 10 fun facts/insights I found while exploring these sites, in no particular order.

  1. Kampala City is located on the shores of Lake Victoria and commonly referred to as East Africa’s happiest city. The city’s name is based on the Impala antelope that used to roam the jungles where the city now sits.
  2. Kampala actually sits inside Buganda, a subnational kingdom of Uganda.
  3. Four of the most recent kings of Buganda are buried in the Kasubi Royal Tombs, a popular tourist site.
  4. Much like President Roosevelt ordered the creation of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, which are now popular US attractions, in 1880 Kabaka (King) Mwanga ordered the creation of Kabaka’s Lake, the largest excavated lake in Africa. The lake is considered to be one of Kampala’s top attractions.
  5. Independence Monument is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Uganda. Constructed by the former British Colonial Government prior to Uganda celebrating it’s first independence, the monument signifies a new born country free from colonialism and bondages. The monument features a man unwrapping a child and raising it to the sky.
  6. You can Kayak on the Nile River, the world’s largest river.
  7. The Uganda Museum is a must see for those looking to get an overview of Uganda’s history including exhibits that help you gain a deeper understanding of Ugandan music, culture, science, way of life, culture, paleontology, and industry.
  8. Imagine observing chimpanzees and gorillas in their natural habitat, swinging from tree to tree, feeding, playing, and more. That’s just what you can do when you sign up for chimpanzee and/or gorilla tracking through several tour operators.
  9. Another great way to experience the culture of Uganda is to take in a theatre show at the any of the country’s cultural centers. Two popular centers are the Uganda National Cultural Center and Ndere Centre.
  10. Uganda has several religious monuments from a variety of faiths. You can visit either tourist site to get more information and learn more about the attractions that interest you.

If you’re interested in learning more, or perhaps planning a trip, make sure you visit the tourist sites for Uganda and Kampala:

www.visituganda.com
www.visitkampala.net

Bon Voyage,
Cristen