2 September, 2021
Architectural Tourism means or involves going to a travel destination to see historical monuments and architecture, as a main goal or as a secondary added-on effect for the traveler. Jinja, now a City, presents lots of such landmarks, and in this article; TRAFEKA brings you top six of them you need to explore once in this part of Uganda.
Before the construction of the Source of the Nile Bridge, which was completed in 2018, the dam, built in 1954, marked the entry and exit point of Jinja on the western side of the town. The magnificent structure, gushing lots of water and the River Nile announced one’s arrival into Jinja from Kampala after a nearly 80 km journey. The nearly 60-year-old structure remained the single most outstanding and defining feature of Jinja until the new bridge was completed recently. Although still functional, the bridge is no longer in use, save for motorbikes, which are not allowed on the new bridge.
Jinja Town Hall was designed by Cobb, Powell and Freeman in the Tropical Modernist style; these, now City Council offices marked Jinja’s transition from a township to a municipality and now City. This building that houses council chambers, a ceremonial main hall, the Jinja Mayor offices, Town Clerk and other officials, was built in 1958. The colonial era structure still maintains an impression of stateliness worth beholding. The unique design with a magnificent clock tower, gives the building its majestic nature. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the rise of Jinja town to city status might cause some changes to the Hall.
It is recorded that in Uganda, Jinja was the first place to get a post office in 1906. This post office idea was first sold to the British colonial masters by Hajji Tamachi, an Indian settler, who proposed that such a place needed a post office. He however, ended up funding it himself after the British, claimed that it wasn't a viable idea at the time and couldn't start up one. In the days before Telephones, mail dominated the day; the post office was always abuzz with people dropping and picking mail.
Currently housing the Jinja Central Police Station, this building, with its prominent position on the corner of Main Street and Rippon Road, has served the same purpose since 1928, when it was put up to curb the rising lawlessness brought about, at the time, by the newly constructed railway and taxi park in Jinja. The building has however seen better days.
An achievement of engineering for its time and location built in 1926, this bridge linked Kampala to the Uganda Railway line, and provided road and pedestrian access across the Nile. Although it narrowed Jinja’s importance as a port, the bridge did shorten the journey between Jinja and Kampala, and allowed easy travel between fishing villages on either side of the river.
This is the bona fide, unique and original Source of the Nile Site - where British Explorer, John Speke first discovered the mighty River Nile. Of course Ugandans living in this area knew there was a river, but Speke was the first European to reach Lake Victoria, which he correctly identified as the source of the mighty River Nile. Things to do at this site include; standing where Speke stood, taking pictures with the monument, going for a Boat ride across the river Nile and into Lake Victoria. You can also camp at the site; take nature walks, hold parties and occasions with a truly stunning nature setting. The site is also ideal for Bird watching and anyone looking for a 1 day tour in the Ugandan Countryside.
So, are you ready to make your historical and architectural trip to Jinja? Contact us at TRAFEKA and let’s do the rest for you.
