Namirembe Hill

In Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city, there is a hill called Namirembe. In a number of Baganda clans, girls are also frequently given this name. From the Luganda word "mirembe," which means peace, comes the name Namirembe. A rough translation of Namirembe is "Full of Peace." According to legend, people would gather on this hill to celebrate victories in war or peace.

Jun 27, 2022 - 12:56
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Namirembe Hill

Location of Namirembe

Namirembe is bordered by Makerere to the north-east, Old Kampala to the east, Mengo to the south-east, Lubaga to the south-west, Lungujja to the west, the Kasubi Tombs to the north-west, and Nakulabye to the north. Road travel takes about 4 kilometres to get from Namirembe to Kampala's financial district (2 mi). The peak of Namirembe Hill is 4,134 feet (1,260 m) above mean sea level.

Overview

Geographically, politically, and religiously, Namirembe Hill, which rises to 4,134 feet above sea level, is next to Mengo Hill. From the Luganda word "mirembe," which means "peace," comes the name Namirembe. This hill, according to legend, was a gathering place for people to celebrate peace or a military victory.

Since the end of the 1890s religious wars, Protestantism has essentially been the Buganda monarchy's official religion. The Anglican Church had its headquarters at St. Paul's Cathedral on Namirembe Hill until the 1960s, when it moved to All Saints Church in Nakasero.

The Mengo Hospital, founded by Sir Albert Ruskin Cook in May 1897, is also located in Namirembe.

Sanyu Baby's Home, an orphanage, is located close to the hospital. The royal tombs, known as Kasubi Tombs, are located at the northwest base of Namirembe hill. The kings of Buganda are interred here.

On Namirembe hill, directly across from Mengo hill, is also home to the Bulange, the Buganda lukiiko (parliament) building. There is a roundabout with a gate and a way through where Kabaka Anjagala Road—which connects Mengo Hill (the lubiri) to Bulange (lukiiko)—crosses Rubaga Road. It's only used by Kabaka. The king is not allowed to circle the roundabout, according to tradition. He must proceed straight as he transitions from the lubiri to the lukiiko.

 

Additional points of interest 

The following additional points of interest lie on or near Namirembe Hill:

  • Headquarters of the Province of the Church of Uganda.
  • Residence of the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.
  • Residence of the Bishop of Namirembe Anglican Diocese.
  • Mengo Senior School - a public mixed day school.
  • Sanyu Babies Home: an orphanage managed by a non-governmental organisation.

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