Jinja is a vibrant city in south‑eastern Uganda, nestled on Lake Victoria’s northern shore at 1,140 m altitude. It marks the point where the Nile River emerges—making it the legendary Source of the Nile—and serves as the regional capital of the Busoga kingdom

History & Name

Founded in 1901 under British colonial rule as an administrative hub, Jinja’s name comes from the Luganda and Lusoga term ejjinja, meaning “rock” or “stone”—a nod to the rocks once lining Ripon Falls jinjacity.go.ug+3jinja.go.ug+3africanmeccasafaris.com+3. In 1954, the Owen Falls (Nalubaale) Dam was built, submerging Ripon Falls and unleashing hydroelectric power that turned Jinja into Uganda’s industrial powerhouse—home to steel, copper, tobacco, plywood factories, and sugar plantations

Demographics & Economy

Jinja’s population grew from about 71,000 in 2002 to nearly 90,000 by 2021 in the municipal zone, with the wider city exceeding 300,000 popularcert.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3parliament.go.ug+3. Initially a colonial-era manufacturing hub, its economy declined in the 1970s amid political upheaval, notably following Idi Amin’s regime. Today, the city is rebounding through tourism, agriculture, mining, and renewed small industry arounduganda.com+1hailtoursuganda.com+1.

Culture & Society

As the heart of the Busoga sub-region, Jinja celebrates a rich Bantu heritage—featuring dynamic cultural events and festivals. It’s known for a “working urban poor” population and rising social challenges like slum conditions, prompting local and international welfare initiatives

Tourism & Adventure

Nicknamed the “Adventure Capital of East Africa,” Jinja is celebrated for thrilling activities:

• White-water rafting, kayaking, jet-boating & bungee jumping on the Nile jinjacity.go.ug+12africanmeccasafaris.com+12primateworldsafaris.com+12popularcert.com+2arounduganda.com+2primateworldsafaris.com+2

• Sightseeing at the Source of the Nile, boat trips, and the Gandhi memorial en.wikipedia.org+11hailtoursuganda.com+11primateworldsafaris.com+11

• Nature excursions to Bujagali and Itanda Falls, Mabira Forest, and Lake Victoria beaches queenelizabethparkuganda.com+2jinjacity.go.ug+2africanmeccasafaris.com+2

Tourism supports Rond thousands of local jobs in guides, hospitality, and crafts, while driving sustainable economic growth

Infrastructure & Services

Jinja benefits from strategic road (e.g., Jinja–Iganga–Tororo corridor) and rail links that connect it to Kampala and the Kenyan port of Mombasa en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4britannica.com+4. The city is also home to Nalubaale and Kiira hydroelectric dams, a regional referral hospital, and the Uganda Hotel & Tourism Training Institute

Jinja seamlessly combines its colonial-industrial legacy with rich culture, vibrant civic life, and booming adventure tourism. Once Uganda’s manufacturing heartland, it is now evolving into a major economic, educational, and recreational center—anchored by the world‑famous Source of the Nile.