The Lubiri, or Mengo Palace, is the official palace of the Kabaka of Buganda, on Mengo hill in Kampala. A straight road known as the Royal Mile (Kabaka Anjagala Road) links it with the Bulange, the kingdom’s parliament building. Visitors can tour the palace grounds, including the underground chambers used for torture under Idi Amin, and see the Kabaka’s Lake, a man-made lake built in the 1880s.
Key takeaways
- Lubiri: the Kabaka’s palace on Mengo hill.
- Bulange: the Buganda parliament.
- Linked by the Royal Mile.
- Amin-era chambers and the Kabaka’s Lake.
Kampala grew up on hills, and Mengo hill has been the seat of the kings of Buganda since the 1880s. A visit here explains much about Uganda’s history.
The Bulange
The Bulange is the parliament building of the Buganda Kingdom, home of the Lukiiko (parliament). Its white colonial-era building, completed in the 1950s, is one of Kampala’s most recognisable landmarks. Guided visits explain the structure of the kingdom, its clans and its symbols, and you may see the parliament chamber.
The Royal Mile
Kabaka Anjagala Road, often called the Royal Mile, runs straight from the Bulange to the gates of the Lubiri. Tradition holds that the road should not be crossed by ordinary traffic at certain points, and its straight line symbolises the bond between the king and his parliament.
The Lubiri (Mengo Palace)
The palace was built for Kabaka Mwanga II in the 1880s. In 1966, Prime Minister Milton Obote ordered the army, led by Idi Amin, to attack it, and Kabaka Muteesa II escaped over the wall into exile. The palace became an army barracks. Under Amin’s rule in the 1970s, underground chambers in the grounds were used to imprison and torture people. A visit to these chambers is sobering, and guides tell the story with care.
The palace was returned to the kingdom after kingdoms were restored in 1993. The present kabaka does not live there, but it remains a symbol of the kingdom.
The Kabaka’s Lake
The Kabaka’s Lake, dug by hand on the orders of Mwanga II, lies a short drive from the palace. It is said to be the largest man-made lake in Uganda, and local legend says it was meant as an escape route to Lake Victoria.
When to go
Visits are possible year-round, usually on weekdays. Check for royal events, when some areas may be closed.
Good to know
- Dress modestly; you are visiting royal and memorial sites.
- An entrance fee includes a guide at each site.
- Ask before taking photos of guards or ceremonies.
- Combine with the Kasubi Tombs and the Uganda Martyrs Shrine.
Who it suits
Mengo suits history lovers, students and travellers who want to understand Uganda’s past, including its difficult chapters.
A Kampala history day
Start at the Bulange in the morning, walk or drive the Royal Mile to the Lubiri, then visit the Kasubi Tombs. After lunch, visit the Uganda Museum or a market, and end at a viewpoint over the city. It gives a full picture of Buganda’s story.
The Kabaka and the clans
Buganda has more than fifty clans, each with its own totem, usually an animal or plant that its members must not eat. The kabaka stands above the clans as the father of the nation, and the Katikkiro (prime minister) runs the kingdom’s administration from the Bulange. Your guide at the Bulange will explain how the clans, the Lukiiko and the kabaka work together today, and how the kingdom supports education, health and culture.
Respecting the sites
The Amin-era chambers are a memorial to people who suffered and died there. Speak quietly, follow the guide and avoid posing for photos. At the Bulange and the palace, ask before photographing guards or officials.
Getting there
Mengo hill is about 3 km south-west of central Kampala, 15 to 30 minutes by car depending on traffic. The Bulange, the Royal Mile and the Lubiri are close together, and the Kabaka’s Lake is a five-minute drive away. Kasubi is about 20 to 30 minutes north. A driver-guide makes the day simple and safe, and can explain the sites as you travel between them.
How long to allow
Allow two to three hours for Mengo, or a full day if you add Kasubi, a market and the Uganda Museum.
Plan it
Mengo is part of our 1-day Kampala city tour. Add it to the 14-day Uganda grand safari.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Kabaka’s palace?
Yes, the palace grounds and the Amin-era chambers can be visited with a guide.
What is the Bulange?
The parliament building of the Buganda Kingdom.
What happened at the palace in 1966?
The army attacked it, and Kabaka Muteesa II fled into exile.
Is the visit suitable for children?
The palace and Bulange are, but the torture chambers may be upsetting for young children.
How long does it take?
About two to three hours for the Bulange, Royal Mile and palace.
Written by our Kampala-based planners and guides, who arrange these trips every season. Prices and rules are checked before every quote.
