Identity and the City

An interesting fusion of folklore and historical facts form the history of Kampala. Folk legend has it that present-day Kampala was comprised mainly of swamps and hills, thus creating the ideal habitat for “Impala” – a slender, gazelle-like type of antelope – and other types of antelopes. It is said that these large mammals grazed on the slopes of the hills and drank water from the swamps. Because of this lively environment, the king – known as the ‘Kabaka’ – of Buganda had his palace on this landscape. Consequently, this area was converted into his hunting grounds.

1890 marks the amalgamation of folklore and history, as the British Empire builders arrived to this area. Because “Impala” was actually the British term for the specific antelope family, the area was commonly referred to as the “hill of the Impala.” In Luganda, “hill of the Impala” was translated to be “kasozi k’empala” – as kasozi means hill - and ultimately “kampala.” The term “hill of the Impala” was a direct reference to one hill.

In 1890, this particular hill was the one that Captain Fredrick Lugard of the Imperial British East African Company was victorious at. This hill became the administrative headquarters of the Imperial British East African Company (IBEAC) until 1894, when the administrative headquarters of the IBEAC moved to Entebbe. Today, this hill has been dubbed Old K’la.

After the signing of the Buganda Agreement in 1900, formal British annexation took place. In 1950, Kampala got its first mayor. It was not until 1962, post-independence, that Kampala became the official capital of Uganda. And, at this time, the 19 square kilometers that composed Old K’la had expanded to seven hills. The names of these seven hills are Mengo, Rubaga, Namirembe, Makerere, Kololo, Nakasero, and Kampala (Old K'la).

The history of this city name thus reflects the British occupation of this land during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. An interesting mix of English and Luganda ultimately led to the name of Kampala. Additionally, the prominence and importance of hills in both the folk and historical accounts are quite noteworthy. Even today, hills are closely tied to the city of Kampala and its identity.