The Uganda National Mosque is the largest mosque in East Africa, located at Kampala Hill in the Old Kampala region of Kampala, Uganda. Construction of the mosque began in 2001 and was completed by 2006 before opening to the public in 2007. The construction of the marvelous mosque was funded by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya as a gift to Uganda as well in addition to the benefit of the Muslim population. Being the only skyscraper mosque in Uganda, the Uganda National Mosque can hold up to 15,000 worshipers as well as an additional 1,100 in the gallery and 3,500 in the terrace. Following the death of Colonel Gaddafi, the new Libyan administration was “reluctant to rehabilitate the mosque under the old name” and so the name was officially changed from Gaddafi National Mosque to its current name — The Uganda National Mosque.
chandeliers and designs from egypt stained glass from italy wood from congo main entrance
chandeliers and designs from egyptarabic calligraphy from the Quran main stairway view of kampala from the top of the minaret; the mosque is located in the middle of Old Kampala main prayer room entrance to main prayer room
view of kampala from the top of the minaret; the mosque is located in the middle of Old Kampalame at the top of the minaret top of the minaret front view of the mosque main stairs to the mosque stairways to the second floor of the mosque minaret full view of the mosque stairway to the
top of the minaretmain entrance top of the minaret front view of the mosque stairway to the
top of the minarettop of the mosque looking through the windows main prayer rooms
The Tour
When I went to visit it was early 2019 and the entrance fee was 15,000 UGX for tourists. This fee included the tour guide, who gave you a tour of the entire mosque, and also included the scarf and skirt provided. The tour guide was extremely friendly and gave all the history behind each aspect of the mosque, down to the details of where the different parts of the mosque were imported from. I would definitely recommend giving this mosque a visit if ever in Kampala, Uganda and learning more about the biggest mosque in East Africa.
The video below shows a brief video of the tour and the mosque itself from my YouTube channel!