Africa’s largest man-made lake in Ndeeba Kampala.

Ever had about the no nonsense king Of Buganda? Kabaka Mwanga11! Though he is more popular for the negative attributes and instant ruthless decisions as a king, there are some of the few positive attributes Kabaka Mwanga 11 did that are not posted anywhere. Just like as media has always done it, pointing only the most selling issues that negatively impact, we chose to explore the man-made lake named ”Kabaka’s lake.”

You can decide to add it on your Kampala city tour and boom the whole experience of this jewel of Buganda kingdom is explore by you with Jewel safaris experienced and knowledgeable guides.

To many, at the mention of Kabaka Mwanga 11 the first thing that comes into their minds is that “he was one notorious ruthless holocaust who initiated the occurrence and death of faith determined Uganda martyrs who refused to denounce their religious faith.

However, just like any human, we both have the god and ad tainted most published side. And among his good side is the Kabaka Lake which is one of the positive living legacy of the late King Mwanga 11 of Buganda.

This magnificent jewel to the Buganda kingdom is located few kilometers away from the city centre in Rubaga/Mengo adjacent to one of the seven major hills of Kampala. A serene water body dotted with numerous attractions like: the birds species like the little egrets.

Historically, the Kabaka’ lake is probably one of the few Africa’s longest-surviving man-made lakes.

The Kabaka’s lake has magnificent views enhanced with the frequently blowing fresh air surrounding it before settling later on the green island in the middle and the outstanding Kabaka’s palace. Occasional crossing of people in dugout canoes is also evident on the lake.\

spectacular views of Kabaka’s lake.

Kabaka’s lake Beautiful sceneries.

Nowadays on a yearly basis in August, the Buganda tourism expo that is organized to showcase the rich tourism sector on the giant kingdom of Buganda the King Ronald Mwenda Mutebi graces it himself and the water sport are always arranged to excite the revelers on this lake.

the Kabaka’s lake was made under the decree of Kabaka Mwanga who ordered for the digging of this Lake for a number of aims and among them were it would give an escape plan in case of any conflicts/ wars. It was dug connecting to the great Lake Victoria. Kabaka Mwanga had two palaces one in Munyonyo which was built by his father Muteesa and then the current one in Lubiri Mengo.

On top of completing his escape plan, he also wanted an easier means of transport to connect to both palaces and digging a water channel seemed to avail the means of transport. Furthermore, Kabaka Mwanga also loved fishing and swimming thus longed to creating his own fishing and swimming site thus digging the apparently called Kabaka’s lake.

The Kabaka’s lake digging commenced in 1885 by the King’s pages but was however interrupted by the religious wars and was never completed. The lake was dug all the way from Lubiri to Najjanankumbi to other areas. The digging of this lake was supervised by the chiefs that reported directly to the king. The exercise of digging involved all the clans in Buganda kingdom.

Surprisingly, the Kabaka also got hands on to dig the lake this was because he was not very pleased with the speed the work was going thus took to the tusk himself and got himself dirty. Out of shame the chiefs and royalty had to join him as there was no alternative for them apart from digging along with him.

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At the time when the project came to a hault, molds of soil waiting to be carried away because most of the soil had been cleared for the lake. Today if you visit some of these areas like Ndeeba, you will notice some of the heaps.

Important points to note are that the lake has no river tributaries supplying water to it since 1885 but remains in full supply of water all year round regardless of whether it is a rainy or dry season and the water levels are constant. The lake is supplied by underground springs with no in or outlets.