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Monday, 19 March 2007 |
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Kampala
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Page 2
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Page 2 of 2
In 1890, Kampala was declared the headquarters of Uganda's colonial
administration. The name Uganda itself is said to have derived from the
inability of the British to pronounce the word "Buganda". When the
British arrived in Uganda in the late 19th century, they found the
people of Buganda Kingdom, the Baganda, "a cultured people with a
government and parliament (Lukiiko)". Buganda formed the foundation of
their colonial empire, and that's how Kampala, lying near the Kabaka's
palace, came to be declared Uganda's capital.
In praise of Uganda's new capital, the colonialists described Kampala
to London as "a very beautiful, legendary city built on seven hills
like ancient Rome". Although it now spreads over more than 20 hills, it
is still sometimes referred to as "the city of seven hills." The
legendary seven hills are Mengo, Lubaga, Namirembe, Old Kampala,
Kibuli, Nakasero and Makerere]. (See Kirega-Gava, V.P:Kampala City Handbook 2000, Kampala)
Mayors
The mayor is the political head of the city. Kampala got its first mayor in 1950. The following have been its mayors since then:
- Sir Amir Maine (1950-55)
- K.H. Dale: (1955-56)
- C. Lewis (1956-58)
- C.E. Develin (1958-59)
- S.W. Kulubya (1959-61)
- Mrs. B. Saben (1962-63)
- P. I. Patel (1962-63)
- P. N. Kavuma (1963-65)
- W.Y. Nega (1965-68)
- A G. Mehta (1968-69)
- E. W. Nakibinge (1969-71)
- Walusimbi Mpanga (1971-82)
- Fred Ssemaganda (1982-86)
- Wasswa Ziritwawula (1987-89)
- Christopher Iga (1989-97)
- Nasser Ntege Sebaggala (1998)
- John Ssebaana Kizito]] (1999 - 2005)
- Nasser Ntege Sebaggala]] (Since 2006)
Public transportation
The transport system in Kampala is run by private companies and
individuals. The main means of transport around the city are 16-seater
minibuses, locally referred to as "taxis". They are indentifiable by a
blue and white band that runs around them, just below the windows.
There are also cabs, both metered and unmetered. Because of their
uniform yellow colour, the metered cabs are known as "yellow taxis".
All registered cabs, metered or unmetered, carry a white and black band
around them. In Uganda, cabs are commonly referred to as "special hire
taxis" or simply "special hire". An alternative means of transport,
especially if one wants to beat the rush-hour traffic jams, are the
motor-cycle taxis, locally known as "boda-boda".
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