Country Uganda Division Lubaga Division Elevation 1,220 m | Region Central Uganda Time zone EAT (UTC+3) | |
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District Kampala Capital City Authority Weather 20°C, Wind S at 5 km/h, 93% Humidity | ||
Mengo is a hill in Lubaga Division, Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The name also applies to the neighborhood on that hill.
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Location
Mengo is bordered by Old Kampala to the north, Nsambya Hill to the east, Kibuye to the south-east, Ndeeba to the south, Lubaga Hill to the west, and Namirembe Hill to the north-west. This location is approximately 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi), by road, directly south of the central business district of Kampala. The coordinates of Mengo Hill are 0°18'06.0"N, 32°33'58.0"E (Latitude:0.301667; Longitude:32.566111). The peak of the hill is at 1,210 metres (3,970 ft) above sea level.
Overview
Mengo Hill is the location of the main palace (known as Lubiri or Mengo Palace) of the Kabaka (King) of the Kingdom of Buganda, a monarchy that dates back almost 800 years. Mengo has been the main palace since it was first constructed in 1885 by Mwanga II of Buganda, the 31st Kabaka of Buganda. Measuring 4 square miles (10 km2), the palace is ringed by a six-foot brick fence and has a small airstrip within its walls.
Mengo Hill has played an important role in Ugandan political and religious history. "Mengo" is a Luganda word for grinding stones. According to legend, ancient migrant communities from the Ssese Islands who settled on the hill used these stones to grind their food. It is here that the Buganda Agreement of 1900 was signed between the Kabaka of Buganda and British colonial officials establishing the Uganda Protectorate.
The history of Mengo Hill is also entwined with that of adjacent Namirembe Hill, the seat of the Anglican Church of Uganda, because of the monarchy’s close association with the Church of England. The Bulange, which houses offices for the Kabaka and the Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament), is at the base of Namirembe Hill. The building was constructed between 1953 and 1958 by Muteesa II of Buganda at a cost of US$5 million, which was a colossal sum at that time. Also located on Namirembe Hill is Mengo Hospital, a private, non-profit community hospital administered by the Anglican Church in Uganda.
Landmarks
Landmarks on Mengo Hill or near the hill include: