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There are other areas to visit while in Uganda, these include;

The Source of River Nile:

This is a point where the mighty river flows out of Lake Victoria on its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed that the source of the Nile was discovered by John Speke though most Africans have laid claim that their forefathers discovered it before the explorers came.

Just downstream, there is bungee jumping for the not so faint hearted and until recently whitewater rafting.

Ssese Islands:

These are made up of 84 islands in the Lake Victoria and it is a good get away to experience white sands within Uganda. The islands are also home to a variety of animals including primates, which are not easily accessible on the mainland. This has led to the evolution of a nascent but growing tourism industry on the islands.

ATTRACTIONS AROUND KAMPALA AND JINJA:

KAMPALA

Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, is situated in the central region near the shores of Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest freshwater lake. During day, it has a population of up to three million people. This number reduces to about one million people at night. It is said that Kampala derived its name from the presence of large herds of Impalas that freely roamed the area, prompting the colonial administrators to adopt the name Kampala. Other major towns include Jinja and Mbale in the east, Mbarara in the west, Gulu in the north and Arua in the north west.

Kampala city bears so many historical landmarks hence making it a must to take a tour of this city of 7 hills. From cathedrals to temples, from market visits to a robust nightlife, Kampala has it all. Until recently, Kampala also had the Kasubi Tombs, where lay the remains of all the past kings of the mighty Buganda Kingdom. The tombs are in the process of being re-constructed, hence visits are restricted and sometimes totally discouraged.

Namirembe Cathedral:
 
Namirembe Cathedral is Uganda’s oldest cathedral whose construction began in March 1890. Comfortably perched on top of Mengo Hill, the Cathedral is visible from much of Kampala. It is ranked among the best ancient monuments in Kampala and a magnificent dome at the top and red brick walls. It is an Anglican Church which is also known as St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is open to visitors throughout the week, and is a major attraction to visitors who come to see the graves of the ancient mis¬sionaries like Bishop Hannington who was murdered in Eastern Uganda on the orders of the then Kabaka Mwanga.

Rubaga Cathedral:
 
Rubaga Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church and stands tall on Rubaga Hill which faces Mengo Hill on which stands Namirembe Cathedral. Thus, the two cathedrals appear to be in constant conversation about the goings-on in the city just below them. The Rubaga Cathedral houses the remains of the first African Catholic Bishop and the first African Archbishop of Kampala Diocese, Joseph Kiwanuka. It is a religious and sacred site for Roman Catholics in Uganda, and it is also known as St. Mary’s Cathedral. Rubaga Cathedral receives thousands of tourists every year, and was visited by Pope John Paul II when he visited Uganda in 1993. The Cathedral is counted among Kampala’s landmark structures because of its magnificent architectural designs. It is highly recommended for visitors to Uganda.

Kibuli Mosque:
 
Kibuli Mosque is one of the biggest mosques in Uganda with a beautiful view over Kampala. For a small fee you can visit the mosque and the towers as well. Prayers are held five times a day and every Friday it is the place to be for most Ugandans in Kampala of the Islamic faith. A Buganda royal and colonial collaborator Prince Badru Kakungulu owned most of the hill on which the mosque sits and from which it derived its name before he donated the land to the Moslem community in the country. The hill rises to a peak of 1,211m above sea level.
 
Bahai Temple:
 
The whole African continent has just one Bahai Temple and this lies 5kms from Kampala City in Uganda. The temple which lies on Kikaya Hill is surrounded by sprawling gardens and soars above all nearby land¬scapes, and boasts amazing views of the Central Business District. A visit to the Temple takes tourists through a spiritual journey of the origin and existence of this unique faith. The peace and tranquility in the lush green gardens render many a tourist captivated. The Temple is open to visitors every day up to 5.00pm but strict adherence to the Bahai principles is a must. Loud music, picking of flowers, im¬moral behavior, drinking of alcohol and use of intoxicating drugs are forbidden. The Bahai Temple was opened to the public on 15th January 1962 after four years of construction. For anyone visiting Kampala, a tour of the Bahai Temple is a must.

Namugongo Martyrs Shrine:

The Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo stands exactly where the gallant leader of the Uganda Martyrs was burnt alive from toes to head together with 21 other martyrs. The martyrdom which took place over 124 years ago is still fresh in people’s hearts. The martyrs were burnt alive between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga of the Buganda Kingdom be¬cause they had embraced religion. The 22 martyrs were beatified by Pope Benedict XV on 6th June 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI on 18th October 1964. There were also Anglican Martyrs that were killed by Kabaka Mwanga during the same period. All these martyrs are honoured on 3rd June every year, which is a public holiday in Uganda.

The Uganda Museum:
 
The Uganda Museum houses a display of Uganda’s cultural heritage that includes ethnological and natural historic exhibitions. It is a vivid reminder of Uganda’s colourful past. One of the most interesting items on display at the Museum is the collection of Uganda’s ancient musical instru-ments, which tourists are given an opportunity to play on request. The Uganda Museum is located just 3kms from the Central Business District, and is considered a must-visit by tourists interested in having a glimpse into ancient Uganda. Founded in 1908, the Uganda Museum contains exhibits of traditional culture, archeology, history and science. The Uganda Museum was initially known as Enyumba Ya Mayembe by the Baganda and its exhibits were believed to bestow supernatural pow¬ers on the colonial administration.

JINJA
 
Jinja Town is a major destination for many visitors to Uganda especially those coming for conferences and short meetings.

Owen Falls Dam:
 
The Owen Falls Dam was once a mighty waterfall on the River Nile just outside Jinja Town, 56kms from Kampala City. Referred to as the Rippon Falls, these were used to construct the dam which was commissioned in 1954 and provides the biggest amount of electricity to the national grid. It was later renamed Nalubaale Dam, but the old name is still used to this day by a large majority of the population.

Source of the Nile:
 
The spot where the River Nile leaves Lake Victoria is what is referred to as the Source of the Nile. River Nile is the world’s longest river, winding its way through four countries on its 6,500km journey before pouring its waters into the Mediterranean Sea. Many adventurous tourists have un¬dertaken white water rafting excursions on the Nile. The Source of the Nile is a must-visit because of its significance in the geography of Africa. It is alluded to in the ancient writings of Ptolemy and stood as one of the great geographical mysteries of the Victorian Age. Many early explorers left their homelands in Europe and travelled to Africa in search of the Source of the Nile. While a lot of controversy is emerging on the exact source of the Nile, the well-known and documented source of the Nile lies in Jinja in Uganda.