The official residence of the Kabaka, or king, of the Buganda kingdom, set on Mengo Hill in a leafy compound surrounded by a reed fence. The palace grounds have been a royal seat since Kabaka Mutesa I moved his court here in the 1880s. The current main building dates from 1922 and blends colonial architecture with Ganda tradition.
Guided tours take you through the throne room and the underground prison where Idi Amin's government held and tortured political detainees in the 1970s -- a stark and sobering contrast to the grandeur above. The Amin-era tunnels are claustrophobic and not for the faint-hearted, but they are an important part of Uganda's history.
The palace is open daily. Guides are available at the gate; a small fee covers entry and the tour. It is about two kilometres west of the city centre, an easy boda-boda ride from anywhere in Kampala.