What is a community tour in Uganda? Community Tours in Uganda involve embarking on a community adventure where tourists are immersed in the local communities. Community tours offer an opportunity for tourists to interact with the local community members and learn about their cultures such as their foods, dress code, and ceremonies as well as their medicines. Learn about their ancient traditions and history from the tales of the community elders.
Where to do community tours in Uganda
Kampala City Tour
Kampala is the capital city of the Republic of Uganda. Located in the central region of the country, Kampala is a city rich in culture, tradition, and history. Embarking on a city tour will allow exploring the culture and traditions of the local people as well as great places. During your Kampala city tour, you will visit these places for a community tour;
Kasubi Tombs
Kasubi Tombs is located in Kasubi on the outskirts of the city center. Kasubi Tombs is a cultural place where the Kings of the biggest Kingdom in Uganda and probably in East Africa too are buried. Kasubi Tombs is recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. While at Kasubi Tombs, you will learn about the traditions of the Baganda people, and their history told by the local elders of the area.
Uganda Museum
Uganda Museum is the National Museum located in the city. The museum portrays the different cultural heritage of the country by showcasing its history, art, and tradition. The museum offers an opportunity for visitors to explore in detail Uganda’s diverse tribes. When you take on a Kampala City Tour, be sure to visit the National Museum and you will be amazed by the history that lies in there.
Namirembe Cathedral
Namirembe Cathedral is the National headquarters of the Church of Uganda for Anglicans or Protestants. St. Paul Cathedral is located on Namirembe Hill in Kampala. The construction of St. Paul Cathedral began in 1890 but completed in 1919. Visiting St. Paul Cathedral will allow you to explore the spiritual history and tradition behind the beautiful structure.
Rubaga Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral is located on Rubaga Hill in Kampala city. St. Mary’s Cathedral serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Uganda. It was opened in 1925 after the completion of the construction that began in 1914. The construction was overseen by the White fathers or Catholic missionaries. These paved the way for the development of the Catholic Church in Uganda. The artifacts and history of the church have become significant in attracting tourists from far and wide.
Namugongo Martyrs shrines
Located on the outskirts of Kampala city in Namugongo, the Martyr’s shrines are a form of symbolization of faith and determination to Christianity. Namugongo shrine is a place where the Uganda martyrs were burnt alive because of their faith on orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda. The Uganda Martyrs that had converted to Christianity refused to denounce it and this led to their execution. They were taken to Namugongo a place where criminals were executed and burnt alive. They are regarded as saints for their strong faith in Christianity even when they were facing death.
Mukajanga the chief executioner of the King oversaw the entire process of the execution. At the end of 1800, a total of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts were captured, taken to Namugongo and burnt alive. In 1964 Pope Paul VI canonized them to become the Ugandan Martyrs. The Catholic and Anglican shrines were constructed in 1973 and 1975 respectively to honor both the Catholic and Anglican martyrs. Christians from far and wide trek on foot every 3rd of June to Namugongo to pray and commemorate the Uganda martyrs. While on a Kampala City Tour be sure to check out the shrines and learn about the strong faith and history of the Uganda Martyrs.
Independence Monument
The Independence Monument located in the city center commemorates the attainment of Uganda’s independence from the British colonial government. The Independence Monument was designed by a Ugandan artist and it symbolizes Uganda’s struggle for independence. The monument shows a man and woman carrying high a young child. The man and woman represent the common people of Uganda who fought for independence. The child represents the emergence of Uganda as a sovereign state and the future generation. The Independence Monument is a representation of the sacrifices of the Ugandans and the independence efforts. Tourists take photos and learn the significant history of Uganda’s struggle for sovereignty.
The Parliament of Uganda
The parliament building is also another important site to check out while on a Kampala City Tour. The parliament is located in the city centre and is the law-making body of Uganda. Entering the gates of parliament and observing the different artefacts representing the different tribes in Uganda will leave you amazed. The parliament building is open to public viewing and proceedings in the public gallery. Visit the parliament building and explore the history and artefacts of Uganda in one place.
Old Taxi Park
Old Taxi Park is located in the busy downtown and it is the main transportation hub for Kampala city. Old Taxi Park is the main and centre point for Kampala’s public transport. The minibuses locally known as taxis are the majority of vehicles in the park and are the common and popular means of public transport. Take a tour of the Old Taxi Park while you are on a Kampala City Tour and you will be amazed by how many these taxis are and how they operate.
Owino Market
Owino Market is the main National market for Uganda. It is the biggest trading hub in Uganda and if you are interested in cheap products from footwear, clothes, and all other essentials then look no further. Having a tour of the market will help you to learn more about the locals of Uganda and how they trade.
Bulange Palace
Bulange Palace is the administrative headquarters of the Buganda Kingdom. Also known as Bulange Mengo is the official residence of the “Kabaka” king of the Buganda kingdom and it also holds the Buganda Lukiko or the parliament of the kingdom. Bulange Mengo is an important cultural site for the Baganda people where traditions, heritage, and culture are preserved and protected. Visit the palace and learn and explore the culture and history that surrounds the palace and the Baganda people.
Other communities to tour while on a Community Tour in Uganda include the following;
Batwa Community experience
Batwa people are a very indigenous community of people located in the Kisoro, Rubanda, and Kanungu district. They lived in Bwindi, Ichuya, and Mgahinga forests before they were gazette and were known as the forest keepers. They lived in grass thatched hats and survived hunting small animals in the forest and gathering fruits. They lived peacefully together with the mountain gorillas and other animals in the forest for a long time. When Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazette in 1992, the Batwa were forced out of the forest to the neighboring areas. In Africa, the pygmy cultural people like the Batwa have lived and survived in many African equatorial forests for over 60,000 years.
The traditional ways of the Batwa pygmies like their homesteads, weapons, medicines, and unique way of cooking and dressing all offer an opportunity for researchers and historians to study them. Their survival in the natural forests through hunting small animals and gathering fruits has attracted many tourists who love adventure and researchers like anthologists to their communities.
Bigodi Community Tour
Bigodi is an area located near Kibale National Park and is famously known for having a wetland that is a natural haven for birds. The Bigodi Community Tour allows tourists to engage with the locals and explore their ways of living, food, medicine, and the way they relate and live with the animals around them.
Nshenyi Cultural Village
Nshenyi Cultural Village is located in Kitwe in Ntungamo district in western Uganda. It is located on a private farm showcasing the beauty of culture and history. The people in Nshenyi Cultural Village are traditional cattle keepers of the famous long-horned cattle. The beauty of the gentle majestic long-horned cattle will leave you in awe. You will learn the different activities done by the Buhima people of this area and their ways of living from dress code, ceremonies, food, and how they look after their cattle.
Murchison Falls Community Tour
Murchison Falls Community Tours offers an opportunity for tourists to embark on a cultural encounter with the locals as they go by with their lives. These community tours in Murchison Falls help in combining wildlife viewing in the park with cultural encounters. It is a great time to visit the neighboring villages, meet the locals who are mostly fishermen, and explore traditional fishing methods. You can also learn about the local culture, and take part in craft workshops as you listen to the tales of history from the elders.
Karamoja Cultural Encounters
Karamoja is a region in northeastern Uganda occupied by the Karimajong people. They are known for their unique culture and traditions. The Karimajong people are the only people who are still living in their traditional ways and have not bowed to civilization in Uganda. Touring around these people allows you to dive deep into their community, participate in traditional dances, and also witness their unique ways of cattle herding. You learn about their warrior culture, and even spend a night in one of their traditional homesteads known locally as Manyatta while on a Karimajong community tour. You will also experience the rich traditional heritage of the Karimajong people.
Sipi Falls Community and Coffee Tour
The Sabiny community people occupy the Sipi Falls area. This is an area located in eastern Uganda with a stunning waterfall known as Sipi Falls. The community tour here takes you through the local villages surrounding the falls and witness firsthand the way they live. You can also embark on a visit to the coffee and banana plantations and learn about the coffee-making process. As you interact with the Sabiny people, they will guide you to the beautiful scenes of the Sipi Falls.
Where can I stay while on a community tour in Uganda?
Community tours are usually combined with other tourist activities like game viewing, gorilla trekking, and nature walks among others. The tour operators book the accommodation facilities for these tourists before they arrive. Accommodation facilities range from luxury, midrange to budget depending on what you prefer. Some community tours offer accommodation facilities to visitors according to cultural standards. These accommodation facilities offer you an opportunity to witness firsthand the way these locals live such as the staying in the Manyattas homestead of the Karimajong people.
Tips to follow while on a community tour
Are you interested in taking part in a community tour in Uganda or embarking on one, then these are some of the tips to follow;
- Respect the culture and norms of the locals
It is very important to respect the culture and norms of the locals you find in the community. This is because it will help you to be more friendly and these communities will be accommodative towards you.
- Follow the guidance of local guides
Always follow the guidance of the local guides while on a community tour. Always involve local guides who are knowledgeable about your areas of interest and they help you accordingly. Follow their instructions and respect their expertise and do not underestimate them. These local guides are professional and trained thus will provide valuable insights and ensure your visit is both enjoyable and culturally appropriate.
- Protect the environment
Always ensure maximum protection of the environment by leaving it better than you found it. Do not undermine the environment conservation efforts put up by the local communities but rather support and advise according.
- Obey the law
While on a community tour, ensure that you obey, follow, and respect the law. This will protect you from getting into trouble with the local authorities thus ruining your community tour.
