About the Kampala National Mosque Half-Day Tour
This half-day Kampala National Mosque tour takes you to the Kampala National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill, also known as the Gaddafi National Mosque. It is the principal seat of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and one of the largest mosques in Africa.
You climb to the minaret for views over Kampala, then visit the souvenir shops, where purchases support the Muslim community. It suits travellers with limited time. Modest dress is required.
Planning tips: combine it with our joint faith half-day pilgrimage or see our guide to religious tourism in Uganda. Request a free quote and we will reply by email.
Read the full trip guide: Kampala National Mosque Half-Day Tour
Table of Contents
Last updated October 2026. Planned by Victoria Kayaga, founder of Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years in East African tourism.
Kampala National Mosque tour: quick answer
This Kampala National Mosque tour is a half-day visit to the Gaddafi National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill. Guides from the Tourism Information office show you the mosque, and you can climb more than 70 steps to the minaret.
Local music and a pilau meal can add a cultural touch, and souvenir shops are nearby.
What you see on the Kampala National Mosque tour
The mosque is the headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and a landmark over the city.
Guides from the Tourism Information office explain the building and its place in Ugandan Islam.
The minaret is reached by more than 70 steps, and the view over Kampala rewards the climb.
Kanzus, abayas and veils are available for visitors who need appropriate dress.
What to expect on a Kampala National Mosque tour
The visit is short, calm and easy to combine with other Kampala sites in the same day.
After the mosque, you can enjoy local music and a pilau meal, which gives the half-day a social finish.
Souvenir shops nearby make it easy to take something home.
Several other places of worship lie close by, including St Nicholas Orthodox Metropolis, St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, St Mary’s Rubaga, St Balikudembe and Matia Mulumba. You can add one or two of them.
See our religious tourism in Uganda guide to compare longer routes.
A private driver-guide handles transport and timing, so the half-day starts and ends on schedule.
How Afraeka plans your Kampala National Mosque tour
We start by asking when you arrive in Kampala and how much time you have, then fit the mosque visit into the part of the day that suits prayer times.
Your driver-guide meets you at your hotel and takes you to Old Kampala Hill, where the Tourism Information guides take over.
If you wish, we link the mosque with the joint faith half-day pilgrimage so you also see churches and the Namugongo shrines in one afternoon.
Every plan is private, so you can ask for a slower pace, extra photo time or a longer stop at the souvenir shops.
Send us your questions and we will reply by email with a simple plan and a free quote.
Who this tour suits
This Kampala National Mosque tour suits visitors with a short stay, families, solo travellers and anyone who wants a respectful introduction to Islam in Uganda.
Practical tips for visiting the National Mosque
Dress modestly. Kanzus, abayas and veils are available if you need them.
Wear comfortable shoes for the steps to the minaret.
Plan around prayer times so the visit is calm for everyone.
Why book the Kampala National Mosque tour with Afraeka
Afraeka Adventures is based in Uganda, so we know Old Kampala Hill and its neighbours well.
Victoria Kayaga plans each visit personally and keeps the focus on respect for worship.
One driver-guide stays with you for the whole half-day, so you never need to worry about directions.
Kampala National Mosque tour FAQ
How long is the tour?
It is a half-day visit.
Can I climb the minaret?
Yes, it is more than 70 steps.
Can I borrow modest clothing?
Yes, kanzus, abayas and veils are available.
Which other sites are nearby?
St Nicholas Orthodox Metropolis, St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, St Mary’s Rubaga, St Balikudembe and Matia Mulumba.
Related guides and sources
See the Uganda Tourism Board for visitor information, or request a free quote for this Kampala National Mosque tour.
The Kampala National Mosque tour in more detail
The mosque on Old Kampala Hill
The Kampala National Mosque tour is a half-day visit to the Gaddafi National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill. The mosque is the principal seat of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and one of the largest mosques in Africa, and it is a landmark over the city. Guides from the Tourism Information office show you the building and explain its place in Ugandan Islam.
The minaret
You can climb more than 70 steps to the minaret, and the view over Kampala rewards the climb. Wear comfortable shoes for the steps. Dress modestly for the visit, and kanzus, abayas and veils are available if you need them.
Music, pilau and souvenirs
Local music and a pilau meal can add a cultural touch and give the half-day a social finish. Souvenir shops nearby make it easy to take something home, and purchases support the Muslim community.
Nearby places of worship
Several other places of worship lie close by, including St Nicholas Orthodox Metropolis, St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, St Mary’s Rubaga, St Balikudembe and Matia Mulumba. You can add one or two of them if you have time. You can also link the mosque with our joint faith half-day pilgrimage so you see churches and shrines in one afternoon.
How we plan it
We start by asking when you arrive in Kampala and how much time you have, then fit the visit into the part of the day that suits prayer times. Your private driver-guide meets you at your hotel and takes you to Old Kampala Hill, where the Tourism Information guides take over. Every plan is private, so you can ask for a slower pace, extra photo time or a longer stop at the souvenir shops.
Who it suits
The tour suits visitors with a short stay, families, solo travellers and anyone who wants a respectful introduction to Islam in Uganda. See our religious tourism in Uganda guide to compare longer routes, and send us your questions for a simple plan and a free quote by email.
The Kampala National Mosque, also called the Old Kampala Mosque and formerly the Gaddafi Mosque, stands on Old Kampala Hill, one of the seven hills of Kampala. Work began under President Idi Amin and the structure was completed with support from Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. It is the principal seat of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, headed by the Grand Mufti of Uganda.
This half-day tour is made for travellers with limited time.
Highlights
- Briefing from on-site guides at the Tourism Information office
- Tour of the mosque
- Climb of more than 70 steps to the minaret for views over Kampala
- Local music and a pilau meal
- Souvenir shops that support the Muslim community
