Uganda is blessed with several developed cities, each with something unique to offer for example good roads, luxurious hotels, shopping malls, movie theatres, bars and restaurants.
These most developed cities in Uganda will be discussed in this article including what makes them worth a visit.
Here are the most developed cities and towns in Uganda.
Kampala
Kampala, the capital is the largest and most developed city in Uganda. Five boroughs—Kampala Central Division, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa, and Lubaga Division—make up the city.
With an annual population growth rate of 4.03 per cent, Kampala is reportedly one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. In comparison to Nairobi and Kigali, Kampala consistently tops the list of finest cities to live in East Africa according to the New York-based consulting firm Mercer.
Kampala is home to the famous Makerere University, which was founded in 1922 and became a university in 1970. For a long time, it was the only educational institution in East Africa.
Numerous mosques, Hindu temples, and Christian churches like the Namirembe Anglican Cathedral, Rubaga Roman Catholic Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Orthodox Cathedral can all be found in the city.
Kampala is also the centre of the country’s road system. It is additionally served by the international airport of Uganda in Entebbe (21 miles [34 km] south-southwest) and Port Bell (6 miles [10 km] east) on Lake Victoria.
Tourists can also visit the city’s top bars, shopping malls, restaurants, and cinemas because they’re in plenty.
Gulu
About 340 kilometres from Kampala, in northern Uganda, is the city of Gulu.
With an annual population growth rate of roughly 2.8%, the city of Gulu in northern Uganda is one of the fastest growing in the nation.
It is the biggest city in the area and is well-known for its rich cultural legacy, which includes traditional dance, music, and food. Shea butter is made in large quantities in Gulu and is utilized in both food and cosmetic goods.
Mbarara
There are currently thought to be over a million people living in Mbarara City. The dominant tribe in the City is the Bayankore. Agriculture is their primary economic activity.
They mostly raise crops and rare domestic animals for survival. Banyankore and Mbarara City have historically been recognized as a cattle-rearing regions, and with good cause. Some of Uganda’s biggest cattle farms are located in the city.
Mbarara has advanced quickly and caught up to Jinja, Masaka, Gulu, Entebbe, and Mbale in terms of development. After Kampala city, Mbarara is currently the second-largest metropolitan area.
In terms of economy, infrastructure, and importance, Mbarara is just behind Kampala. Hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, plazas, and arcades are just a few of the contemporary structures that have sprung throughout the city at an astounding rate.
Jinja
In 1901, Jinja became an urban settlement, and it became a municipality in 1957. One of the biggest urban areas in Uganda, Jinja is now vital to the economy of both the country and the surrounding area.
At the Owen Falls Dam, one of the major tourist attractions in Jinja, (now called Nalubale Dam), a hydroelectric power plant was constructed.
The majority of industries were built in the town because Jinja housed the only source of power in Uganda. From the 1950s until the 1970s, Jinja was Uganda’s thriving industrial centre.
However, it suffered its first significant setback in the 1970s under Idi Amin’s rule.
With many of the enterprises now operational, Jinja is gradually regaining its previous splendour. The Madhivani group of firms’ Kakira sugar plants are the primary industry in Jinja. The majority of individuals in Jinja are employed in this sector.
Additionally, there is Nile Breweries Limited, Uganda’s leading producer of beer and wine. MM Steel Factory must also be mentioned, even though Nytil Textile has made a comeback. Jinja is home to Kiira Motors, Uganda’s sole car manufacturing facility. Then there are the remodelled neighbourhood markets, mills, and big box stores.
Tourists can visit this town to enjoy sports activities like white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping, it is a well-liked location for adventure tourism. The Nile River’s source, from which it flows towards the Mediterranean Sea, is also located near Jinja.
Entebbe
On the banks of Lake Victoria, some 35 kilometres from Kampala, sits the city of Entebbe. It houses the international airport and serves as a primary entry point for tourists into Uganda.
In addition, Entebbe is renowned for its botanical gardens, animal refuge, beaches, cinemas, shopping malls, bars, and restaurants.
Fort Portal
In the broader Tooro kingdom, the Western Region of the Country, Fort Portal City is a tourism hub for Uganda. It is located at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. Fort Portal is the entryway to Uganda’s adventures and is renowned for being lively and inviting.
Fort Portal City is situated 50 kilometres north of Kasese District and just outside Queen Elizabeth National Park on the northern slopes of the Rwenzori Mountain Ranges. It’s 26 kilometres from Kibale National Park.
The growth and presence of tourist attractions in this town have greatly improved the social and economic conditions. There are numerous landmarks, including hotels, eateries, and banks.
Kasese
The town of Kasese is located in Uganda’s western region. It serves as Kasese District’s capital. The major town in the Rwenzururu region is Kasese. Its population in 2020 was predicted to be 115,400. It is located east of the Rwenzori Mountains and north of Lake George.
The following attractions are located either inside the town or near its boundaries. Kasese Airport, The Seat of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Offices of Kasese town council, Kasese central market, Branch of the National Social Security Fund, Hima Cement Limited, Headquarters of Kasese District, Kilembe Cobalt Company Limited among many others.
Lira
Lira City is located in the Northern Region of Uganda. The major city in the Northern Region of Uganda, Gulu, is located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the southeast of Lira along the road that connects Gulu and Mbale.
A station on the Uganda Railways network serves Lira. The Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda is in charge of Lira Airport, a public civilian airport that provides service to the city.
Lira city is also home to Lira University, Lira Main Market, Ngetta Rock, Mount Meru Millers, Mukwano Industries Lira factory, All Saints University, a private university, secondary schools such as Lango College, Comboni College, Dr Obote College, St. Katherine Girls School, accommodation facilities such as News hotel, Lira Hotel, Pacific Grand Hotel, Pauline Hotel among many others.
Mbale
On an all-weather tarmac roadway, Mbale is located roughly 225 kilometres (140 mi) northeast of Kampala. It is Uganda’s oldest city.
The national census of 2002 indicated that Mbale had a population of roughly 71,130 and is still growing.
In the town of Mbale, one can find a range of public facilities such as Mbale central market, Mbale Municipal Stadium, military headquarters, health facilities, more than 8 education institutions, and financial institutions such as DFCU, Centenary Bank, Stanbic Bank, KCB bank, Post bank among many others.
Soroti
Soroti District, part of the Teso subregion, surrounds Soroti City, which is located north of Lake Kyoga in Uganda’s Eastern Region.
It’s one of the more developed cities in Uganda. A few places of interest include The headquarters of Soroti District Administration, The offices of Soroti Town Council, Soroti University, a chain of secondary schools, Lwala Soroti Hospital, a 135-bed, non-governmental hospital, Soroti Rock, a volcanic rock formation, Soroti Central market, and a few others.
Additionally, The Soroti Fruit Processing Factory, a joint venture between Uganda Development Corporation and Teso Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative Union, was established in Soroti and launched in April 2019. It was created with assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Conclusion
Uganda is a hospitable, peaceful, lovely, free, and fun country to visit. This is due to the many developed cities in the area. Once you visit any of these beautiful cities in Uganda, you can be sure to return.
Of course, these are only a small portion of what the country has to offer. There are other developing cities in Uganda such as Ntungamo, Moroto, Rukungiri, APAC, Kabale, and Hoima.
