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.
Rubaga Cathedral
Twin-towered seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Kampala on Lubaga Hill, completed in 1925 and home to the remains of Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka.
At a glance
- Type
- Catholic cathedral
- Area
- Lubaga, Kampala, Uganda
Good to know
- Hilltop views
- Stained glass
- Sunday Mass in English and Luganda
Why we recommend it
St Mary's Cathedral, known to everyone as Rubaga Cathedral, stands on Lubaga Hill in western Kampala, about 3 km from the city centre. The hill once held a palace of Kabaka Mutesa I; after it burned he moved to Mengo, and in 1889 his son Mwanga II gave the land to the French White Fathers, the missionaries who brought the Catholic Church to Uganda. Work on the present cathedral began in 1914, it was completed in 1925 and consecrated on 31 December that year. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Kampala, the oldest Catholic diocese in the country, and the home church of the Archbishop of Kampala.
The twin towers are visible from much of the city, and the cathedral sits in a large complex of trees and flowerbeds with wide views over Kampala. Inside, a memorial in the transept honours the Uganda Martyrs, and the 22 Catholic martyrs, later declared saints, appear in the stained-glass windows. The remains of Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka, the first African Catholic bishop and first African archbishop of Kampala, are kept in the cathedral.
Rubaga is very much a living parish. Sunday Masses are held in Luganda at 07:00 and 09:00, in English at 08:00, and again at 10:00 and 17:00, and the cathedral is busy throughout Sunday morning. If you are not attending, visit on a weekday or between services, keep your voice down and dress modestly. The archdiocese also runs education, health and welfare projects from the hill.
An hour is enough to look round the cathedral and grounds. For a group visit or to check whether a wedding or special service is planned, call the archdiocese on +256 414 270183 before you go. Come in the late afternoon for the best light on the facade and the view. The hill is easy to reach by taxi or boda boda from the centre.
Rubaga makes a natural pair with Namirembe Cathedral on the neighbouring hill, and the Bulange and Mengo Palace are close by. Together with the Old Kampala mosque, they make up a half-day circuit of Kampala's historic hilltop places of worship, each with a different view of the city.
Rubaga Cathedral FAQs
When was Rubaga Cathedral built?
Construction began in 1914 and it was consecrated on 31 December 1925.
Who is buried at Rubaga Cathedral?
The remains of Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka, the first African Catholic bishop, are kept inside.
What are the Sunday Mass times?
Luganda Mass at 07:00 and 09:00, English Mass at 08:00, and further Masses at 10:00 and 17:00.
Who gave the land for the cathedral?
Kabaka Mwanga II gave Lubaga Hill to the White Fathers missionaries in 1889.
How far is it from the city centre?
About 3 km west of central Kampala.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly, as it is an active cathedral.
What is nearby?
Namirembe Cathedral, the Bulange and Mengo Palace are on neighbouring hills.