By BRENDA February is hereeeee — and if you know me, then you know exactly what that means.
It’s my birthday month. 🎉
And yes, I am that excited.
My birthday falls in February, and I genuinely love celebrating it.
Lately, it’s been in a way that feels intentional, reflective, and rooted in where I am in life.
Every year I grow older, I’m reminded that age is more than just a number.
It’s a collection of stories, lessons, places, people, and moments that quietly shape who we are becoming.
Every year comes with something worth celebrating.
Over time, I’ve learned that how I choose to mark my birthday depends on two main things: how the month feels and where on the globe I happen to be.
Those two factors usually guide the kind of celebration my heart leans toward.
In places where snow is falling heavily and frostbite is a real possibility, doing anything outdoorsy becomes unrealistic.
Those birthdays often find me indoors with friends, wrapped in warmth, or postponing celebrations entirely — like the year I chose to do a 4K cancer ride across America in summer instead.
But last year and this year found me right here in Kampala.
And being home always does something to me.
It makes me curious again.
It makes me slow down.
It makes me want to explore the gems I usually rush past on normal days.
Last year, my birthday adventure took me to the Baha’i Temple and Skyz Hotel.
This year, as I stepped into my 31st year, I felt drawn toward something deeper — something rooted in history, identity, and culture.
That pull led me to the Kasubi Tombs, followed by a quiet, satisfying end to the day at Georgina Gardens Hotel.
In this blog, I’m sharing my journey visiting the Kasubi Tombs and ending the day kikalaying at Georgina Gardens and why this solo birthday felt like exactly what I needed at 31.
Kasubi Tombs: Where History, Identity, and Spirit Meet
The Kasubi Tombs are located on one of the many hills that make up Kampala: Kasubi Hill to be exact.
Even before stepping inside, there’s a sense that you’re entering sacred ground.
The air feels quieter. The pace slows. You instinctively lower your voice.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kasubi Tombs are considered to be of outstanding universal value.
Not just because of their physical structures, but because of their intangible cultural significance.
They embody the beliefs, spirituality, identity, and continuity of the Baganda people.
What struck me immediately was how the architecture itself tells a story.
It’s a literal living cultural space.
Once you go past the entrance, you’re welcomed by a large central courtyard, open and grounding, surrounded by huts of varying sizes.
Each structure has meaning and every placement is intentional.
But one building stands out unmistakably.
Muziibu-Azaala-Mpanga
The main structure, Muziibu-Azaala-Mpanga, commands quiet reverence.
Built by Kabaka Muteesa I in 1882, this circular, dome-shaped structure serves as the burial place of four Buganda kings:
- Kabaka Muteesa I
- Kabaka Mwanga
- Kabaka Daudi Cwa II
- Kabaka Muteesa II
Knowing that I was standing at the resting place of kings instantly shifted how I experienced the space.
What fascinated me most was learning how the structure was built — entirely by hand.
Wooden poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle come together to form a perfectly balanced circular building crowned with a dome-shaped roof.
No modern machinery. No shortcuts.
Just craftsmanship passed down through generations.
And then there’s the interior.
Every single element inside speaks tradition.
From the roof, which features 52 rings representing the 52 clans of Buganda, to the bark cloth used to cover the walls, to the poles decorated by specific clans.
The Ngo (Leopard) clan decorates the poles while the Ngeye (Colobus Monkey) clan does the thatching.
Each clan has a role, a responsibility, and a place in preserving this heritage.
All of this, I learned from my tour guide.
Stories From the Guide: Kings, Clans, and Customs.
For a fee of 10,000 UGX, my tour guide walked me through not just the physical site, but the stories behind it, who each king was, what they did, and how their reigns shaped Buganda.
What made the experience even more special was learning that my guide herself is an heir to a queen who was married to one of the kings.
Fascinating just!
She explained the symbolism behind the rings, the poles that hold the hut in place, and how each clan contributes to maintaining the tombs.
She shared customs that immediately caught my attention.
For instance: did you know that while women can move freely inside the tombs, men must exit facing the tombs?
This is because men are considered guardians of the kings, and every woman is symbolically regarded as a king’s wife.
So from this day forth, I shall be regarded as her Royal Highness ☺️👸🏾
There’s also a rotational system where each month, a king’s wife stays in the tombs to keep her king company.
Everything inside the hut was built by hand. Maintained by hand. Preserved by hand.
Meanwhile, dress code matters.
There’s a no-pants policy inside the tombs.
Why?
Because, as I learned upon arrival — the kings love their women covered.
Yes. I learned this the hard way.
I had arrived wearing pants and before I made my way to the entrance, I was given a wrapper to cover my pants-self up.
Georgina Gardens: A Soft Landing at the End of the Day
After immersing myself in history and tradition, my next stop was Lubya Hill which is 1.1 km from the tombs, and is home to Georgina Gardens Hotel.
Nestled on a hill, Georgina Gardens offers sweeping views of Kampala city — the kind of view that invites you to pause, breathe, and simply be.
It felt like the perfect contrast to the earlier day’s cultural depth.
This was where I let the day settle.
Where I reflected on turning 31.
Where I allowed myself to feel proud — not just of my age, but of the journey it represents.
There’s something deeply grounding about solo celebrations.
No pressure. No expectations. Just you, your thoughts, your growth, and a plate of good food.
And speaking of food, the kikalayi?
Mmmmm. Scrumptious.
Golden. Comforting. Familiar.
There really is no better way to feel proudly Ugandan as you step into a new age.
And you don’t have to be Ugandan for that to happen.
Final Thoughts: 31, Rooted and Becoming
Turning 31 didn’t feel loud.
It felt anchored.
Visiting the Kasubi Tombs reminded me that identity is layered.
That we come from something bigger than ourselves.
That before us, others lived, ruled, loved, and shaped the paths we now walk on.
Ending the day at Georgina Gardens reminded me that rest, reflection, and simple pleasures matter just as much.
While all this wasn’t a grand gesture, I felt present.
I chose an experience that nourished my soul.
And honoured where I come from while embracing where I’m going.
If this is what 31 feels like…..i.e curious, grounded, reflective, and proudly Ugandan, then I welcome it with open arms.
Here’s to another year of intentional living, meaningful journeys, and celebrating life in ways that truly feel like me.