To promote the cultural harmony, peace and international understanding get to know and learn the Uganda peoples; their traditions, customs and ways of life of each ethnic group. These customs are kept alive by many colorful ceremonies marking specific historical events or celebrating the seasons of the year. Spontaneous dancing and music are a typical way of life in Uganda. Take a cultural tour i to Bagisu during the circumcision festivals, the Buganda kingdom, nomadic Karimojong and cultural sites.
Uganda’s selected cultural /historical sites

Central Uganda cultural tours
• Kasubi Tombs
This is the highest rated cultural and historical site in Uganda listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It’s the burial ground for the former Buganda Kings namely Mutesa 1, Mwanga II, Daudi Chwa II and Edward Mutesa II... The site is protected by a fortress made of local materials and the tomb is a dome-like hut structure made up of local materials which also houses the variety of artifacts of Buganda Kingdom

• Naggalabi – Buddo coronation site
This is the site where the Kings (Kabakas) of Buganda are crowned and the legacy lives to date. It’s also believed that this place where the Kingdom of Buganda began.

• .Kabakas Lake.
This is the Buganda King’s lake found near Mengo. It was dug-out during the reign of ‘Kabaka’ Mwanga in the 1880s. The purpose of digging out this lake was to link it to Lake Victoria through a channel as an escape corridor.

• Kings Palace (Bulange Mengo).
Bulange is the official residence of the King of Buganda. Opposite it is the Mengo which is the administrative block of the Kingdom. The two houses are connected by a straight road where the middle part is for the King’s use only.

• Martyr’s shrine
Located to the East of Kampala city, Namugongo Martyrs shrine is a renowned historical site where more than 20 new Christian converts were condemned to death by the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II. Visits to this site enables one see artifacts and know the stories about Uganda Martyrs. In Uganda today 3rd June is a public holiday to commemorate the execution of the Martyrs and also today the Catholics and Protestants have established churches here.

• Bahai Temple
This is the only temple of the Bahai faith in Africa. A tour to this site on Kikaaya hill provides one beautiful architectural and scenic environs.

• Namirembe & Rubaga Cathedrals
These two sites provide a background to the rise of Christianity in Uganda. Namirembe cathedral located on Namirembe hill was the first site established by the protestant missionaries as their headquarters and today remains a historical site.
Rubaga cathedral is the other site established by the Catholic missionaries in the 1880s.

Western Uganda

• Karambi Tombs
Location: 5 Km from Fort Portal town on the Fort Portal- Kasese road.
This is the traditional burial ground of the Toroo kingdom. To date the kings Kyebambe Kasagama (1928), Mpuga Rukidi (1965) and King Kaboyo are buried in these tombs. There are a lot of artifacts and history told at this site.

• Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru( Nyinamwiru’s breasts)
Location: 9km from Fort Portal town, off Semiliki road.
It is based on a legend told about a beautiful a beautiful girl called Nyinamwiru, daughter of Bukuku. Nyinamwiru is believed to have misbehaved and the punishment to her was cutting off her breasts.

It‘s believed that the origin comes from the first king called Ruhanga or Ruhinga (creator, god) and his brother Nkya who started the Tembuzi dynasty of Bunyoro-kitara.

Nkya had four children: Kintu, Kaira, Kahuma and Kakama.
Ruhanga and Nkya returned to the heaven and left Kakama Twale to succeed Nkya as ruler. Kakama also disappeared and was succeeded by his son Baba. This last one was succeeded by his son Ngonzaki who in turn was followed by his son Isaza .
Isaza married Nyaminyoga’s daughter, god of the underground world and they had a child called Isimbwa .Isaza disappeared like his fore father as he was following his cows which had had gone to the underground world . When Isaza reached the underground world, he failed to get back

When Ndahura grew up, he started looking after cattle of the Herdsmen.
One day when Ndahura brought his cattle to drink water at the valley he met with the Bukuku ‘s herdsmen who asked him to allow the king’s cattle to drink first before the water get contaminate but Ndahura opposed to that idea and the herdsmen decided to report it to the king ( Bukuku ) who decided to go and see that notorious boy who doesn’t respect the king.

The story goes on …………………………………and on.

Eastern Uganda

• Nyero Rock paintings
Situated near Ngora, Nyero rock is renowned for the rock paintings believed to have been done by Stone Age people between 3-500 years ago. In this site, there are three painted shelters close to each other and the paintings are in red and white pigments.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC, DANCE AND DRAMA
Uganda is endowed with a rich traditional background ranging from music, dance and drama cutting across various ethnic groups. The following are the selected dominant traditional music, dance and drama by tribe.
• Baganda
This tribe posse’s one of the most dominant traditions in Uganda. According the Baganda tradition, the King is the main architect of traditional music, dance and drama.Baganda music cuts across vibrant dances such as Amagunja, Nankasa and Bakisimba using music instruments such as drums and xylophones.

• Bagishu
This tribe occupies the slopes of Mt. Elgon and surrounding areas. This tribes posses perhaps the most entertaining music and dance drama during the circumcision festivals. This is usually marked by cultural rituals with processions by the community members. The Bagishu believe that boys can only be initiated to manhood through circumcision.

• Langi
These tribes hail from central Uganda and are renowned for the ‘Okeme’ (thumb piano). The vocals of these people are akin to the Congolese traditions.

• Banyankole
This is a Bantu group found in the western part of Uganda. The Banyankole are divided into two classes i.e. the pastoralists (Bahima) and Agriculturalists (Bairu). The Banyankole have a rich cultural tradition ranging from marriages, initiation and music, dance and drama. During the festivals traditional music, dances and drama are performed.

Asyanut safaris arranges Uganda safari packages.

Uganda Cultural Safari 12 Days

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