The Idi Amin Torture Chambers, Witness Uganda’s Dark History
You are standing at the top of a steep concrete tunnel. The air feels heavy here. Below you lies one of the most chilling sites in East Africa. This is not a place for celebration. It is a place for remembering. The Idi Amin Torture Chambers inside the Lubiri Palace tell a hard story. It is a story of pain, survival, and the resilience of the Ugandan people. Most visitors to Kampala see the busy markets and bright hills. But to understand this city, you must look underground. You must walk the damp corridors where history was written in blood. This page gives you the detailed facts you need to visit. We explain what you will see, how to prepare, and why this site matters today
The History Behind the Concrete Walls
The structure was not built to be a prison. In the early 1970s, Israeli engineers designed this tunnel for Idi Amin. It was meant to be an armory. The plan was to store weapons safely underground. The design was strong. It had thick concrete walls. It had a long, sloping entrance for trucks to drive down. It was practical. But the purpose changed quickly.
Idi Amin took power in a military coup in 1971. His relationship with Israel soured. He expelled the Israeli advisors. He then turned this storage space into something else. He needed a place to hold 
people he saw as enemies. The armory became a detention center. It was operated by the State Research Bureau (SRB). This was Amin’s intelligence agency. They were feared across the country.
The location was strategic. The chambers sit on Mengo Hill. This is the seat of the Buganda Kingdom. The palace grounds, known as the Lubiri, are vast. They are surrounded by a high wall. No one on the outside could see what happened inside. The chambers are deep underground. Screams could not be heard from the street. It was the perfect place for secret operations. The chambers operated for eight years. Amin’s rule ended in 1979. During that time, thousands of people entered this tunnel. Very few walked back out. The site sat quiet for years after the regime fell. Today, the Buganda Kingdom maintains it. They keep it open so the world does not forget.
Walking Through the Chambers: What You Will See
Your visit starts at the main gate of the Lubiri Palace. You will pay your entrance fee and meet a site guide. You cannot enter the chambers alone. A local expert must lead you. You will walk across the palace grounds first. The grass is green and well-cut. It looks peaceful. You might see the ruins of the King’s old car collection nearby. Then you reach the entrance. It looks like a simple concrete mouth in the ground. The slope is steep. You have to walk carefully. As you go down, the temperature drops. The noise of the city fades away. The light gets dim.
The Main Tunnel
The central corridor is wide. It was built for military trucks. The floor is rough concrete. You will notice watermarks on the walls. In the 1970s, this tunnel was often flooded. Soldiers would pour water into the corridor. They would then run electric currents through the water. This was a method of control. It prevented prisoners from escaping. It also shocked anyone standing in the cells.
The Five Cells
There are five separate chambers off the main tunnel. Each one is empty now. But the atmosphere is thick. The rooms have no windows. There is no ventilation. When the heavy steel doors were closed, it was pitch black. Hundreds of people were packed into these rooms at once. They stood shoulder to shoulder. They had no space to sit. They had no toilets. They had little air. You can still see the grim conditions today. The walls are stained. The floor is uneven.
The Writings on the Wall
This is the most affecting part of the tour. Bring a flashlight or use your phone light. Look closely at the walls. You will see messages scratched into the concrete. These were written by prisoners. They used stones, fingernails, or even blood. Some messages are names. Others are dates. Some are final words to loved ones. You might read: “Obote, you have killed me, but what about my children?” You might see: “Cry Far Help Me The Dead.” These are not museum exhibits. These are real goodbyes from people who knew they would not survive. Seeing them up close changes you. It makes history real.
The Human Cost: Survivor Stories
Numbers can be hard to grasp. Historians estimate that 300,000 people died during Amin’s regime. Many of them passed through places like this. But we must remember they were individuals.
The Blindfold Tactics
Survivors tell us how they arrived here. The SRB agents would arrest them in Kampala. They would blindfold them immediately. Then, they would drive them around the city for hours. They drove in circles. They wanted the prisoners to lose their sense of direction. The prisoners thought they were being taken to a remote forest. When the car stopped, they were pushed out. They felt the steep slope under their feet. They smelled the damp air. They realized they were underground. But many died without knowing they were right in the center of the city. They were just meters away from normal life.
Voices from the Past
Moses Mukasa is a name often shared by historians. He worked on the grounds. He witnessed the daily arrival of cars. He saw the faces of the men and women taken down. He survived to tell the story. His testimony helps us understand the scale of the horror. You will also hear about prominent figures. Religious leaders, politicians, and artists were held here. The cells did not discriminate. Rich and poor stood together in the dark.
Plan Your Visit to Lubiri Palace
Location and Getting There
The chambers are located within the Lubiri (Mengo) Palace. This is in the Mengo neighborhood of Kampala. It is about 3 to 4 kilometers from the city center.
By Taxi (Matatu): You can take a taxi from the Old Taxi Park. Look for taxis heading to “Mengo” or “Rubaga.” Ask the conductor to drop you at the “Lubiri Palace Gate.” The cost is small, around 2,000 UGX.
By Boda Boda (Motorcycle Taxi): This is the fastest way. Ask the rider to take you to “Kabaka’s Palace” in Mengo. From the city center, this should cost between 5,000 and 10,000 UGX. Agree on the price before you sit on the bike.
By Private Car: Drive up Mengo Hill Road. The palace is at the top of the Royal Mile (Kabaka Anjagala Road). This road connects the palace to the Buganda Parliament (Bulange). It is a straight, direct route.
Entrance Fees and Costs
International Visitors: The fee is typically 40,000 UGX (approximately $10 USD).
East African Residents: The fee is lower, usually around 20,000 UGX.
Guide Fee: The entrance fee usually includes a site guide. However, these guides work hard. It is polite to tip them. A tip of 10,000 to 20,000 UGX is appreciated if they give you a good tour.
Opening Hours
The palace is open every day of the week.
Opens: 8:00 AM
Closes: 6:00 PM
Best Time: Go in the morning around 9:00 AM or late afternoon at 4:00 PM. The midday sun can be hot when walking the palace grounds.
Why Book a Private Historical Tour?
You can visit the palace on your own. Many people do. But booking a private tour with Whispers Safaris offers a different experience.
Context Matters
A standard site guide will show you the rooms. They will tell you the basic facts. A private historical guide goes deeper. We connect the dots. We explain the political tension of the 1960s that led to the coup. We discuss the aftermath in the 1980s. We talk about how this site fits into the wider story of East Africa.
Safety and Comfort
Kampala can be chaotic. Finding the right gate at the palace can be confusing. Dealing with boda boda riders requires negotiation skills. When you book a tour, we handle the logistics. We pick you up from your hotel. We drive you in a comfortable car. We handle the tickets. You focus on the experience.
The “Dark Tourism” Cluster
We often combine this visit with other important sites. You cannot understand the torture chambers in isolation. We recommend a full-day itinerary that includes:
The Idi Amin Torture Chambers: To understand the political history.
The Kasubi Tombs: To understand the cultural history of the Buganda Kingdom.
The Namugongo Martyrs Shrine: To understand the religious history and resilience of Ugandans.
This combination gives you a complete picture of Uganda. It moves you from the darkness of the past to the strength of the present.
The State Research Bureau (SRB)
To truly understand the chambers, you must understand the SRB. The State Research Bureau was the organization behind the violence. They were headquartered at Nakasero, but they used the Lubiri chambers for overflow and secret executions. The SRB was known for its sunglasses and flowered shirts. They drove cars with special number plates. In the 1970s, seeing an SRB car meant trouble. They had unlimited power. They could arrest anyone. There were no courts. There were no judges. The chambers in Lubiri were the end of the line for their victims. The tunnel in Lubiri is physical proof of this system. It shows how a government can turn against its own people. It serves as a warning for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go inside the cells?
Yes. You can walk into the main tunnel and enter the individual cells. The doors are open. The space is empty, allowing you to stand where prisoners once stood.
Is it safe to visit the torture chambers?
Yes. The site is secure. It is located inside the palace walls, which are guarded. The structure itself is stable. The guides are professional and ensure your safety during the walk.
How long does the tour take?
The tour of the torture chambers usually takes about 45 minutes to one hour. If you tour the entire Lubiri Palace grounds, plan for about two hours total.
Are children allowed to visit?
Yes, children can visit. However, the history is violent, and the atmosphere is dark. We recommend this tour for children aged 12 and older. Younger children may find the dark tunnels frightening.
Do I need to book in advance?
For a solo visit, you can just show up at the gate. For a guided experience with transport and detailed historical context, you should book with Whispers Safaris at least 24 hours in advance.
Is the site accessible for wheelchairs?
No. The entrance to the chambers is a steep concrete slope. The ground is uneven. It is very difficult for wheelchairs to navigate the tunnel.
What happened to Idi Amin?
Idi Amin fled Uganda in 1979 when Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles captured Kampala. He lived in exile in Saudi Arabia until he died in 2003. He was never prosecuted for the crimes committed in these chambers.
Why is it called the “Kabaka’s Palace”?
“Kabaka” is the title of the King of Buganda. This land belongs to the Kingdom. Amin’s army occupied it by force in 1966 and used it until 1979. In 1993, the government returned the land to the King.
Ready to Witness History?
The Idi Amin Torture Chambers are difficult to see. But they are necessary. They remind us of the value of peace. They honor those who were lost. Do not just read about it. Come and stand in the tunnel. Feel the weight of the past. Let us take you there.
