Attraction
Kasubi Tombs
Burial ground of four kabakas of Buganda on Kasubi Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose great thatched tomb house was rebuilt after a 2010 fire.
Uganda National Mosque
Kampala's national mosque on Old Kampala Hill, completed with Libyan funding in 2006, where visitors climb a 50-metre minaret for 360-degree views over the city.
At a glance
- Type
- Mosque and viewpoint
- Area
- Old Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
Good to know
- Guided visits
- Minaret climb
- City views
Why we recommend it
The Uganda National Mosque crowns Kampala Hill in Old Kampala, the hill where the city's colonial history began. Building work started in 1972 under Idi Amin but stopped in 1976, and the half-finished project stood for decades until Muammar Gaddafi offered in 2001 to complete it as a gift to Uganda's Muslims. It was finished in 2006 and opened in June 2007 as the Gaddafi National Mosque, then renamed the Uganda National Mosque in 2013. It also houses the head offices of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, and the official Visit Kampala listing notes that it offers Islamic education alongside daily prayers.
The building is made of reinforced concrete, with five domes and a single minaret, on a site of about 4.9 hectares. The prayer hall is vast, and Wikipedia's figures put indoor capacity at up to 15,000 worshippers, with more room in the gallery and the open courtyard. The official Visit Kampala listing describes the design as a blend of modern, traditional African, European and Arabic influences, which you can see in the decoration of the interior.
The highlight for most visitors is the minaret. It rises 50.5 metres above the hill, and a climb of 272 steps brings you to a viewing level with views in every direction. On a clear day you can pick out several of Kampala's hills, including Namirembe and Rubaga with their cathedrals, Mengo and the Bulange, and the tower blocks of Nakasero. Take your time on the stairs, which are steep and narrow.
Visits are ticketed, so ask at the entrance. The mosque is an active place of worship open for the five daily prayers, so tourist visits are fitted around prayer times. Women must wear a long skirt and a headscarf, men should wear long trousers, and everyone removes their shoes before entering the prayer hall.
Allow about an hour, longer if you want to linger on the minaret. Old Kampala sits just west of the city centre, and the old taxi parks and markets are a short ride downhill. The mosque pairs naturally with a tour of the other hilltop places of worship, and with the Bulange and Kasubi Tombs to the west.
Uganda National Mosque FAQs
Can non-Muslims visit the Uganda National Mosque?
Yes. Visitors are welcome on guided visits outside prayer times.
Can you climb the minaret?
Yes. The minaret is 50.5 metres tall and has 272 steps to the top, with 360-degree views of Kampala.
What should women wear?
Women must wear a long skirt and a headscarf.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, visits include a ticket. Check the current price at the entrance.
When was the mosque built?
Work began in 1972, stopped in 1976 and was completed in 2006 with Libyan funding. It opened in June 2007.
Why was it renamed?
It opened as the Gaddafi National Mosque and was renamed the Uganda National Mosque in 2013.
How long should I allow?
About an hour, including the minaret climb.
Where is it?
On Kampala Hill in Old Kampala, just west of the city centre.