Kabaka's Palace, Mengo

The official palace of the king of Buganda stands on Mengo hill in Kampala, seat of one of Africa's oldest surviving kingdoms. The grounds hold royal buildings, ceremonial structures and a long straight approach road. A grim underground bunker within the compound, associated with a former ruler, is now shown to visitors as a site of remembrance for political violence. Guided tours explain Buganda's monarchy, customs and turbulent modern history. The palace remains a working centre of the kingdom's cultural life within the capital.