WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UGANDA

Uganda: Introduction

Capital: Kampala

Population

Total Population: 39,032,383

Natural Increase: 3.3%

Density: 195 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 16.1%

Ethnic Origins: Tribes of Uganda are classified in five major language groups; Bantu, Nilotics, Madi - Muro, Highland Nilotics and Nilo - Hermits.

Official Language: English

Other Languages Spoken: Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

Business Language(s): English

Religion: Roman Catholics 41.9%, Protestants 42%, Muslims 12.1%, Others 3.1%.

Literacy Rate: 66.8%

Local Time:

It is 11:02 AM In Kampala

Exchange Rate on October 28, 2016:

National Currency: Uganda Shilling (UGX)

1 UGX = 0.0003 USD, 1 USD = 3,471.3 UGX
1 UGX = 0.0003 EUR, 1 EUR = 3,785.8 UGX

Country Overview

Area: 241,550 km²

Type of State: Democratic Republic influenced by country's army.

Type of Economy: Low-income economy.
Economy based on agriculture and in particular coffee.

HDI*: 0.483/1

HDI (World Rank): 163/188

Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, is an Indicator Which Synthesizes Several Data Such as Life Expectancy, Level of Education, Professional Careers, Access to Culture etc.

F° | C°

20°

Low: 17°  |  High: 26°

Humidity: 85%  |  Wind: 70 km/h
Sunrise: 6:30 am  |  Sunset: 6:36 pm

Kampala, Source: Yahoo Weather

Telecommunication

Telephone Code:
To call from Uganda, dial 00
To call Uganda, dial +256

Internet Suffix: .ug

Telephone Lines: 0.9 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 14.7 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 9% of the Population 

Foreign Trade in Figures

Foreign Trade Indicators	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Imports of Goods (million USD)	5,631	6,044	5,818	6,074	5,780
Exports of Goods (million USD)	2,159	2,357	2,408	2,262	2,245
Imports of Services (million USD)	2,413	2,459	2,739	2,709	2,738
Exports of Services (million USD)	1,614	1,942	2,272	1,828	1,945

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation, 2016

WHY WOULD ANYONE INVEST IN UGANDA?

The Interview 

by Milly Kalyabe - Editor, Uganda Economy

   Q: Anything specific to UK Forum of investors that is coming up next month? 

In the past few years Uganda’s economy has improved and is continuously improving. Experts believe that the country’s economy has great potential as it has several major advantages and virgin opportunities. Coupled with natural endowments such as fertile land, regular rainfall and rich mineral deposits, the economy is one of the fastest growing in the East African region. 

 

Q: Why would anyone invest in Uganda?

 

Ahead of the 3rd Uganda-UK Trade & Invest Forum on the 14 September in London, our local Editor Milly Kalyabe interviewed the Executive Director of Uganda Investment Authority, Eng. Dr. Frank Sebbowa who explained extensively as to why Uganda is the top most investment destination. Below are the excerpts

 

A: It’s the best investment destination. Basically investors look for stable environment within which to do business and Uganda has been stable for more than twenty something years. Also they look for stable economy with good economic policies as well as stable society. They need reasonable infrastructure and we are lucky that government is has worked and is continuing to work on roads and railway lines like you know we have concession it out with Egyptians.

Plus, investors look for markets and Uganda is land linked on all its boarders we have consumers. Although we are only 35 million as Uganda, we are 149 million consumers as East Africa, plus the 340 million COMESA members where we have all these trade arrangements in that if you manufacturer here you could have access to all these markets.

Additionally we have an educated population which is fairly young, most of them almost already to be employed. With just minimal skills training you can definitely get a good and cheaper workforce.

Uganda is also committed to exports with in the country and outside.

Q: Which opportunities are available for investments?

A: Nearly all areas are available for investment but currently we would strongly encourage four strategic sectors because of their importance in the economy and these include: 

1. Agriculture and Agro based including processing agricultural products to add value as well inputs such as fertilizers, tractors, irrigation systems and commercial farming.  

2. ICT would attract and benefit the young workforce I mentioned earlier who are well educated and we would strongly encourage that. We also recognize the fact that no country can move forward without the ICT base in its economy.

3. Tourism, especially Eco-Tourism which is based on culture or environment should be highly focused on.

4. Minerals. We have a lot of minerals which need to be explored and mined and mineral beneficiations, a term they use when minerals get polished and made marketable. We have close to 50 different minerals and I can’t emphasize enough.

But of course we have the traditional areas like in the oil and gas industry where we have quite enough spin offs like plastics and also from the residues you can get fertilizers among things.

Q: Are you able to give us some statics on the inflow investments in the recent years

A: We carried out joint survey with Bank of Uganda and Uganda National Bureau of Statistics of which investments have come in for the period between 1991-2012. FDI has grown tremendously to about $ 2 billion by 2008, with over 3500 projects licensed.  Power stations have been developed with some support from government and other donors but mainly by FDI; we are doing quite a number of roads etc. In The Agriculture sector we have made a lot of difference. You are aware of the Kaweri Coffee, Mukwano Sunflower and huge ranches among others.   

Q: Any government guarantees?

A: Uganda is the only country I know in the world where you can come in with your money and go away with your money without anybody asking you, as long as it’s legal money. Between you and your bank, subject to legal taxation, you take away all your money without any restrictions.

Q: Is it a good thing to the economy?

A: I think so because anyone who thinks it’s a bad thing, they need to try other countries where to change even $100 you fill two pages of form and even to take it back is also another hassle. If you have a solid sound investment environment, there will be more money flowing in than flowing out. 

Like I said earlier our survey report shows that more has come in over the years. FDI has been growing steadily not reducing. So if that is coming in what is it coming in to do? To create jobs for us, to bring in new technology because they buy new equipment which we didn’t have before, bring in new skills, they also pay taxes that government can use to do other things.

Q: There has been a lot of concern over the quality of investments UIA approves and yet many of these so called investors get tax holiday.  What is your comment?

A: I don’t think it’s correct to say they get tax holiday because tax holiday has been tightened in only specific sectors and they are being closely monitored by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). And because their job is to collect taxes, by the time they give you a waiver you have really qualified for it. And there are provisions under which they are guided to give waivers.

Now this takes me to my job. My business is to license investors. These investors come with sort of money and technology we don’t have and they usually come with skilled manpower we don’t have. But they are compelled on the personnel side to train our locals and after five years or so they must demonstrate to the immigration department why they would still need expatriates and what they have done about training local people. 

Q: What are some of requirements for investing here?

A: The people we license must bring in $100,000 for foreigners and for locals it’s a half of that amount.

Q: Downtown in the central business district, you find Chinese operating businesses with far less capital than the stipulated minimum amount of $100,000. Who is responsible for this?

A:  Many people think these people are bad. I don’t think so. I would like to say they get an annual trading license from your local town council, from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) or from somebody. So if these people were bad they wouldn’t get these licenses. 

Additionally those Chinese or Indians or whoever, have saved some money from abroad, may be they didn’t come with a lot of money but their money is here. And even if they employ one or two drivers, those are jobs created which were not there before them. 

The truth of the matter is, the people you are referring too, in a way they are not really the way we describe our investors because those are traders and UIA does not license traders. The people we license are genuine investors who bring in money, equipment and invest in manufacturing systems.

So there is as a lot of difference but am emphasizing the fact that whether they are traders as we are referring to them or investors, to the economy they are all good - we need them. 

The people who are complaining are inefficient traders, they don’t want the competition. I think that there should be open competition so that somebody whether Chinese or anyone with a good genuine business, they are helping the consumers to lower costs. People think we should create a ring fence around them so that they continue working inefficiently and charge our population highly. I don’t agree. I think that people should compete openly, transparently and fairly so that the real consumers get value for their money. You could say that that these people have cheap money, not it’s true. Even where they come from, they work for this money to come and invest here.

Q: How would advise anyone intending to invest here?

A: They need to know their target market and we advise anyone to project that environmentally friendly.

They should know how many people they are planning to employ because it’s key to us.

Q: What are the requirements for investing here?

A: These are really simple requirements: 

1) We need to know that you are a genuine entity, meaning you are recognized by the law. 

2) We need to know that you have the money

3) We need to know that you have a project

4) We need to know whether you need land from government or you have your own.

Q: Is land available from government?

A: Yes land is available from government if you have a good project.

Q: Is this a good time to invest here?

A: I think it’s a good time because of several reasons. We are now close to our oil boom which I see in 2-3 years from now. You need to get in the market now rather later so that by the time the benefits of oil start flowing in you are already there. You can’t wait for the oil to take off; you need be on ground in good time.

The economy is ready to set off in many ways. It has been growing and our population is expanding. People are going to need food, so you have passion for agriculture I would encourage anyone to get in and start investing now rather than later. The traditional food we used to enjoy is now hard to find, why? Because the market, the consumers have increased. Before we could not take goods to Southern Sudan, now things like eggs, chicken, cabbages etc are going every day. Fish used to be plenty, now with new markets in Europe, we may need to grow fish, and we can no longer rely on the lake, the natural fishing.

The needs of the oil industry is incredible, it’s a lot. They will need people to give them cabbages, Irish potatoes, eggs etc, cleaning services, simple mechanics and so on. So I will advise anyone to go into training people with hands on experience so that by time the oil market demands many of these people, they are already there and still many young people will come to you for training.

Uganda for long time was not connected on the Marine Cable for ICT. Now we are connected to the three rights from the East African coast. So why not start businesses in say, the call centers? In fact, some people might want to process routine accounts. So almost in all fields I see opportunities and just make your package now. This is the time to do so.

Q: What is UIA doing to attract new investments?

A: Well, we have our road shows. We have developed a catalogue of projects that people can invest in and we are sending these to all our 30 embassies.

We are launching these catalogues ourselves. Last week we were in Nairobi after we launched it here. Soon we will go to USA, UK, Denmark, Middle East so that people get to know the projects are available.

We are also using foreigners who have invested here as our goodwill ambassadors. When they hear it from their colleagues, we think it’s more believable.

We have TV talk shows here and even when we go abroad, we do whenever we get chance to give as many interviews as we can.

Even government is taking the right steps to ensure that our macro and economic policies are correct and ensuring peace and stability in the country.

Q: How about the local investors, how are you attracting them?

A: We have developed a small to medium enterprise division within UIA which looks after those numerous investments. We started training them since last year into business and entrepreneur skills, improving productivity in their businesses, improving quality and standards.

For the larger ones, we are trying to cut down bottlenecks so we work for the whole spectrum. 

Q: One of the contentions is the elaborate procedures for licensing an investment. Anything being done about it?

A: We have restructured our front office into a physical one stop centre. May be this week we will be launching it. We will house all offices we think are key to an investor, for example, UIA, Registrar of Companies, Immigration, NEMA. So all these desk officers will be here and they will be connected by computers to their parent organizations. This, we think will quicken the processes. And as I speak now, if you come with the requirements, you will walk away with your license in two days. 

A: Yes. The compendium that we are taking to them of 230 investments is a good chance for them to send money here. Currently money comes from UK to pay for fees, to buy food and plots of land. We are saying help those same relatives to run a business so that not all the money you send goes directly to consumption. This will improve our economy.

We think they are a major contributor to this economy and they should continue to remain engaging with us. The informal remittances are good but we have good tips to give them on investment and also work with them on the local scene. Instead of giving fish let them also give the fishing net.

Those who have acquired skills let them come back and use them here. We can make arrangements where they can support local industries.

Q: What is your target for this forum? What do you want to achieve at the end of the day?

A: We want to link up with those Ugandan living in the UK but also to link up with their associates of whatever nationality who could invest here.

If we can get 20-30 medium enterprises arising out of this forum, we will be very happy. If we can get joint ventures, we will appreciate. 

 

Uganda Investment Authority

Tel: +256-414-301 000   |   Fax: +256-414-342 903

E-mail: info@ugandainvest.go.ug   |   Web: www.ugandainvest.go.ug

Location: Plot 22B Lumumba Avenue, TWED Plaza,  Address: P O Box 7418 Kampala, Uganda.

 

IMPORT DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN UGANDA

Shipping line manifest

Bill of lading

Commercial invoice

Packing list

Customs entry - T810+T812

Insurance Certificate

IM4 – Direct Import for Home use

Import Declaration Form (IDF)

Terminal handling receipts

Transit documents

Delivery Order

Final Certification Document (Certification Decision/CoC)

Request for Certification (RFC)

Uganda Economic Update: Fact Sheet

What is the Uganda Economic Update?

The Uganda Economic Update is a bi-annual assessment of the state of the country’s economy. It analyses the performance of the economy, key challenges and opportunities, and provides an economic forecast for the year ahead. The update is divided into two parts: the macro-economic analysis which provides insight into the day-to-day management of the economy; and the special area, which usually examines a key driver of the economy in more detail, on how it can contribute to a much faster growth rate, eradicate poverty and boost shared prosperity.

The last update focused on land and how it can be used more productively to facilitate economic growth, eradicate poverty and boost shared prosperity. Although land is an asset, in Uganda most of it is unproductive and not being harnessed to its full potential. Only about 8% of Uganda’s land is registered, meaning that the majority cannot be used to invest in more productive agriculture and non-agricultural activities, cannot be used as collateral to access credit, and cannot be used to create equity. This makes land one of the main bottlenecks to doing business in Uganda, to commercialization of agriculture, to building livable and productive cities, and to building infrastructure. Several recommendations were provided in that update, and can be accessed as part of the report. The seventh Economic Update focuses on Public Investment Management (PIM).

What is the current state of the economy?

In the past nine months, the economy has witnessed some instability and volatility arising from a number of factors: the staging of a national election, a slowing and volatile global economy, and the subsequent declining commodity prices resulting from slower growth in two large economies, China and Brazil. With these developments, the shilling lost value steeply, reaching an annual depreciation rate of 40% by September 2015-unprecented since the liberalization of the foreign exchange market. Inflation also edged up to 8.5%, with firm expectation among economic players that it would increase due to the heavy depreciation of the currency, on top of other factors. The Central Bank responded by pursuing a tighter monetary policy stance, that succeeded in withdrawing money from circulation, signaling a tighter monetary policy. As a result, the price of treasury bills went up, constraining the government borrowing and spending on its planned investments while the cost of borrowing from banks increased for the private sector.

Overall, the economy is estimated to have growth by in the range of 4.5 to 5% during the current financial year 2015/16. This growth rate is much lower than 5.4% that was anticipated in the previous update. Significantly, this is almost more than a percentage point lower than the government’s original projection. The takeoff of Karuma and Isimba dams helped sustain economic activity in spite of the weak economic environment and the below-par performance of some of the government’s other planned investments. The biggest explanation for the slower economic growth was the impact of macro volatility on the private sector activity. Uganda continues to trail other East Africa countries, in particular, Rwanda and Tanzania are forecast to have grown at 7%, while Kenya is at 6% during this year.

Lower oil and commodity prices on the international markets played a role, too. Lower oil prices slowed down investment in Uganda’s nascent oil and gas sector while lower prices for key commodities like coffee, tea, tobacco and cotton reduced export revenues, which in turn reduced consumption spending and limited public investment. Similar price dips in 2014 caused economic shockwaves globally but Uganda weathered the storm as it exported the bulk of its commodities to South Sudan then. The outbreak of civil conflict in South Sudan led to a decline in exports, increasing Uganda’s vulnerability to global price volatility.

What is the outlook for the economy?

Despite these challenges, Uganda’s economic outlook remains positive now that the electoral cycle has ended and private sector activity can start picking up. Moreover, the government’s extensive infrastructure development program should boost local economic activity even if the global economy remains sluggish.

All factors remaining constant, the economy is expected to recover and grow by 5.8%  in 2016/17, thereafter rising to above 6%  in the medium term. Revenue collections are projected to rise to about Shs 13 trillion, which is about 14%  of GDP during the year ending June 2017, up from about Shs 12 trillion for the financial year ending June 2016. The Central Bank is also loosening the monetary policy, reducing the cost of its loans to commercial banks from 17% to 16%, which could see more private sector lending to stimulate the economy further.

This outlook faces a number of risks, key among is if the planned heavy public investment program does not deliver the expected outcomes of an increased construction activity and raising productivity of the economy thereafter. Other notable risks include a larger global economic disturbance that has been projected, regional instability, as well unanticipated weather and climate related changes, all of which are partly because many of the lack of appropriate infrastructure assets.

What is the significance of focusing the report on public investment management?

In recent years, the government has increased its capital investments significantly. In the last four years capital investments have increased by 126% and nearly doubled from 4.3% to 7.6%  of GDP. Going forward, such investments are expected to increase in tandem with aspirations of transformation stated in the National Development Plan and the National Vision2040. For instance, up to US$9 billion worth of investment is expected in Uganda's oil sector over the next two to three years. The increased activity in construction and other secondary-tier sectors is expected to stimulate productivity across the entire economic value chain to drive growth.

The interest in public investment management relates to the need to minimize the short term risks to growth outline above, but also relates to longer term aspects of growth and how a country can use public policy to influence economic and social outcomes. This is because public investments facilitate the delivery of key public goods, such as infrastructure and social services; and it connects citizens and firms to economic opportunities, all of which are central in ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity in Uganda.

This update focuses on this area to provide a menu of options to policy makers and other stakeholders on how public investments can be better managed and leveraged to drive growth. This analysis is informed by an assessment of Uganda’s systems and processes of public investment management that was undertaken by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the World Bank Group last year.

How can the government turn smart budgets into smart returns when it comes to public investment?

Undertaking investment requires sound fiscal and monetary policies that are capable of laying the groundwork to maximize growth. In this regard, the fiscal policy stance depicts a desire by the government to address the key binding constraints to growth and job creation. Total revenue collection remains low and affects government spending on education and health. However, this challenge may be overcome as the dividends from investments are realized and used to support much faster growth and development, including human capital development.  

In recent years, Uganda’s fiscal policy has not been so lucky yet as the good budget frameworks that aimed to mainly remove key binding constraints to economic growth were under-executed, due to the way public investments are managed. Endemic delays in implementation, cost overruns and corruption mean that sometimes projects come in at twice the original cost. For example, a road project worth US$100m could end up being delivered at US$200m. This means that although the planning and budgeting process is doing a fair job in identifying the right projects that should transform the country and allocating resources to them, they are not efficiently implemented to deliver the expected benefits.

Many countries have experienced inefficiencies in the way public investments have been managed, as well as in the speed at which these investments produce returns. On the other hand, there are others that are reaping higher returns than Uganda because they have transformed they manage their public investment management more efficiently. This has involved paying attention to the entire project cycle, from when a project idea begins to the management of the completed asset.

Some of the key eight stages of a PIM system, including: planning, appraisal, independent review or evaluation, selection for financing, implementation, adjustment unforeseen changes in environments and process, maintenance, and evaluation, already exist in Uganda, albeit weak and uncoordinated. The biggest challenge however is the weak appraisal and implementation. Experience shows that projects that are poorly designed often fail to produce strong and favorable results owing to poor costing, procurement delays, and capacity gaps, among others. This is where Uganda needs to put emphasis.

What are the key public investment management reforms that Uganda need to undertake?

Uganda has in fact taken some positive steps in strengthening its PIM system. Building on positive efforts to strengthening the way public finances are managed, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has initiated institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the independent review process in the project cycle. In this respect it established a new department responsible for project appraisal and public partnership. Once fully operational, this department will formulate standards and criteria for project appraisals. This will ensure that any project that is submitted for public financing meets the minimum standards for a good project.

Beyond this, the government will need to sustain the momentum of reforms across three main levels:

1. Institutional strengthening. This will require doing things differently, rather than business as usual. Critical is avoidance of duplication of projects, more rigorous appraisal, strengthening capacity through training to undertake appraisals and manage projects more effectively. This could be done in collaboration with an academic institution like a public university. Given that institutional reforms take time to be effected, the Update recommends a phased approach. In the short term, emphasis could be on building and strengthening the capacity of existing institutions, with a close focus on building capacity within a core group of technicians across the government to improve project preparation and appraisal to improve quality of projects.
2. Standardization. Harmonization of standards and guidelines is critical for quality control, greater tracking, and monitoring of results. A shared understanding is needed across institutions of what needs to be done and how it ought to be done. Developing manuals on various aspects of public investment management will be important, but more so will be to ensure that such standards and guidelines are followed and binding across all ministries.
3. Legal and regulatory framework. Public Investment Management needs to be underpinned by a robust legal and regulatory framework. This can help streamline mandates, but also strengthen incentives for the system to work.

What is the relationship between public and private investment?

Traditionally, the role of public investments in an economy would be to provide public services; key among which include infrastructure such as roads and energy, and a good regulatory environment; all of which reduce the cost of doing business. In more recent times, governments have worked out modalities that allow it to leverage capacities from the private sector, but also manage the risks involved in building these investments. Such arrangements, also called public-private partnerships offer a platform for the private sector to be fully embedded into public investment programs, rather than wait for benefits after the assets have been constructed. The challenge is to ensure that the risks involved in such transactions are appropriately allocated and managed by both the private and public sector.

How is the World Bank positioned to support Government of Uganda on PIM?

The Word Bank has been working with government on these areas to ensure that projects are managed more frugally to maximize their value. With some clarity on the areas where priority interventions should be focus, this collaboration can continue so that together we can increase the value of our investments, but more contribute to the development of Uganda. 

For further information on the Uganda Economic Update contact:

Rachel K Sebudde
Senior Economist
World Bank Uganda
Email: rsebudde@worldbank.org
Tel: (256) 414 302201 

UGANDA CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

Uganda has a very strong cultural heritage. Many regions in Uganda have kingdoms including Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro and Toro. Ugandans are remarkably hospitable and hail from a diversity of rich cultures and life styles Each tribe has its own traditional dance ; The banyankole perform their Kitagururo dance , the Banyoro have their Runyege , Acholi have the Bwora and Otole dances . The Alur people from the West Nile have the traditional Agwal dance ,Bagisu have the Imbalu dance during circumcision ceremonies.

Uganda Culture Organizations
Information about cultural organizations in Uganda, role and contributions.        

Uganda Cultural Safaris
Taking a tour to cultural sites and eco-tourism in Uganda.

Culture and traditions are also expressed through a wide range of arts and Crafts made from wood ,Papyrus reeds and local materials . These include black smith implements , beaded Jewellery, wood carvings and batiks. They can be found all over the city in village bazaars, gift shops, hotels , Urban galleries and the National Theatre Craft Market. While on your Uganda travel or safari, consider taking on a cultural tour to the known destinations.

Ugandan Drum: The Drum being the common instrument in Africa, also dominates Uganda in symbolism to African culture.

A drum is made from animal skin of Cows, goats, and other animals.

Uses of the drum: For sending particular messages to the intended audience.
In ritual ceremonies, drums are used for the last funeral rites, traditional worship, king installation, exorcism, circumcision and others.
Drums are used for entertainment, different drumming techniques are used by each tribe or Uganda culture”

Among the Cultural Sites in Uganda include the Buganda Royal Tomb, and other Cultural Sites.

CULTURAL SITES IN UGANDA

Kasubi Tombs
These royal tombs in Kampala are located 5 kilometers from Kampala the capital on Kasubi hill. The Kasubi tombs are a very important cultural site in Buganda Kingdom. It is a UNESCO heritage place and the tombs are burial grounds for 4 Kings of the Buganda Kingdom referred to as ‘Kabaka”. This significant location in Buganda Kingdom takes a dome-like shape. A lot of royalty and respect is paid to this site. For many centuries, ancient Ganda rituals have been performed in this place. It holds numerous historical treasures of the Kingdom of Buganda. It is a place worth visiting while in Uganda.

The Sezibwa Falls.
These spiritual and impressive falls hold a unique status to the Baganda people. For ages, this place has been a favorite spot the Buganda Kings. The Sezibwa falls are found in Mukono district at the far border of Kyagwe & Bugerere kingdom-parishes, in the Eastern part of the Kingdom. The falls hold too much spiritual significance. Mutesa II and Mwanga who both were former kings, are believed to have “tied” twins from here. Other than their cultural significance, the spectacular waterfalls are a fine location for rock climbing, bird watching, healing, watching the waterfalls and cultural dances.
Spectacular Ssezibwa Falls

Mparo Tombs found in Hoima; theses are situated on Hoima Masindi road. The Mparo tombs are burial grounds for kings in the Bunyoro Kingdom. One of the most outstanding graves for the Omukama- a title for their kings, in this place is that of the Omukama Kabarega’s grave who was a very historic strong cultural leaders in Uganda.

Bigo bya Mugenyi, Ntusi; this site is located in Mubende district and holds numerous earthwork that was done by the Bachwezi people and other related kingdoms.

Namugongo Shrine
Namugongo Martyrs Shrine: This Uganda martyrs’ shrine is a very vital attraction in Uganda’s history. It is at this place where twenty two catholic Christian converts were brutally executed following the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II in the year 1886.
At this place touristic shrines have been erected by the Roman Catholic Church Christians and the Church of Uganda, and annually pilgrimages are made to this place. The victims of Mutesa’s brutality were canonized in 1869.
Baker’s Fort in Patiko; this fort is situated 32 kilometers north of the town of Gulu in Patiko sub county. The fort was founded by an early explorer in this country –Baker. This striking stone structure is a birthright of Baker’s outstanding work against slavery in this area.

Karambi Tombs located in Fort Portal; these tombs are located along Kasese road 5 km from Kasese town and are a burial place for Kasagama and Rukidi III. These tombs are historically important to the Toro Kingdom.

Other Cultural Sites are:
Nakayima Tree found in Mubende District
Nkokonjeru Tombs  located in Kakiika
Nyero Rock Paintings situated in Ngora
Naggalabi-Buddo Coronation Site located in Wakiso District
Wamala Tombs.
Nnamasole Baagalayaze Tombs & cultural center