Uganda Towns, Cities, Locations and Districts

(Uganda, UG, East Africa)



In the 1980s, Uganda fell into the depths of civil war. What followed was 20 years of conflict, which led to economic catastrophe and hardship. Such hardships hit hard in many of the country's towns and cities.

In more recent years, Uganda has succeeded in rebuilding its reputation as the 'Pearl of Africa'. Indeed, tourism is leading the way in helping many districts and local communities to recover economically.

Kampala is the sort of capital city that is constantly changing. Modern buildings are springing up everywhere to replace the city's worn-out infrastructure. There is a real commercial buzz to the place.


Kampala

Kampala originally grew up on seven hills, but in recent years has expanded to encompass several others, too, including both Nakasero Hill and Kololo Hill. Many of Uganda's most popular tourist attractions can be found here, such as the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site and several important mosques. More information about Kampala.

Jinja

Jinja was once a rather grandiose town, largely due to its exotic location on Lake Victoria and because it is within rowing distance of the source of the River Nile. Today, Jinja is still popular, both with those who come to see the 'Source' itself and those who have a more thrill-seeking agenda - to navigate the white waters of the Nile. Jinja is also famously the home of the Nile Brewery.

Arua

Visitors to the north-eastern town of Arua usually come to admire the wealth of wildlife found around the town. Nearby is the Murchison Falls National Park. Tourist activities include boat safaris on the River Nile, as well as visits to the Rhino Camp, once a bustling town frequented by steam ships.

Entebbe

With its own international airport, Entebbe serves as a great base for visitors to Uganda. Its location on the shores of Lake Victoria, colonial-style parks and all-over peaceful atmosphere make it a popular tourist destination. Entebbe's Botanical Gardens are particularly worth a visit. The town is also the location of the Ugandan president's official residence, as well as many government offices.

Fort Portal

One of Uganda's best highland towns, Fort Portal has a real colonial feel, with some rather fine historic buildings and great views over the surrounding landscape of tea plantations. Of note, one of the nearest wildlife reserves to Fort Portal is the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Mbarara

Situated in the south-west of Uganda, Mbarara is a useful stopping point for visiting many national parks in the area, or for those travelling between Masak and Kabale. It is a pleasant enough place to stay and for travellers to sort out day-to-day needs, although there are few sightseeing draws in the town itself. One of the closest wildlife-spotting opportunities is the Lake Mburo National Park.

Kabale

Tucked away in the most southerly part of Uganda, tourists usually visit Kabale as part of a journey to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or nearby Lake Bunyonyi. As a direct result of the relatively high visitor numbers, the town is well served with tourist facilities.

Kisoro

Kisoro is a busy frontier town, with plenty of shopping opportunities for souvenir hunters. It is located close to the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Nearby tourist attractions include the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Virunga volcanoes can also be found in the area.