January 20, 2025 | Bujo Safaris
Amin Torture chambers in Mengo. After Idi Amin Dada overthrew Sir Apollo Milton Obote for the position of president, he went ahead and ordered the construction of the torture chambers in Mengo. These torture chambers were constructed by the Israelites who were by then professional engineers of the time. The torture chambers were constructed with the motive of using them as a military base or armory but later were turned into torture chambers. These torture chambers were designed in a way that made sure no one was able to escape from them. The torture chambers were made up of 5 cells which were separated by electronic bars and the corridors taking you to the cells were filled with water pools. The water pools were electrified so that no one was able to go past them without being electrified. There was no escaping from the ‘’dark tunnel’’ just as it used to be called. During the period of Amin’s rule as the president of Uganda, these torture chambers were used to detain, torture, and kill thousands of people. The people who were brought to these chambers included politicians, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens.
The torture chambers for Amin were operated by the State Research Bureau (SRB) which was in charge of torturing the people brought there. The SRB was a secret police organization that was responsible for detaining and torturing all the suspected government opponents. Different methods of torture were used on these people, such as electrifying them, beatings, and mutilations, to mention but a few.
Amin torture chambers are located in Lubiri Mengo the palace of the King of Buganda ‘’ Kabaka ‘’ approximately 3 km away from the heart of Uganda Kampala city near Kabaka’s lake and St Lawrence University.
When you visit Amin’s torture chambers, you will be able to learn about the history of Uganda and the atrocities committed during the era of Idi Amin Dada.
The price or cost of visiting Amin’s torture chambers depends mainly on two things which are age and nationality. Ugandans pay approximately 10,000 Ugandan shillings and foreigners pay roughly $2.5 per foreigner (adults).
The different thousands of people who were arrested or killed in Amin’s torture chambers were always captured under the orders of then-President Amin. Most of these people were considered traitors since they would have done something against the government or Amin making most of them government officials. Secret agents or army men of Amin would be sent in their land rovers or vans to go and pick the next victim or victims of that time. They would go and forcefully arrest these victims and blindfold them. The victims were always driven around the ring road of the palace all day from morning to evening. Driving them around was done so that they confuse the victims of where they are and are heading. After driving in circles, the victims were then taken to the torture chambers and on arrival at the gates, the electricity was first switched off to enable the cars to enter the premises.
A lot of people were victims of Amin’s torture chambers and none of them was able to escape these chambers alive. Till now the exact number of people who died in the chambers is known but people say that approximately 200,000 people died from Amin’s torture chambers.
The victims of Amin’s torture chambers died due to different reasons which include gunshots, hunger, bad beatings, and electrification, to mention but a few. On top of all the beatings and torture, Amin’s torture chambers were dark and suffocating all the time since there were neither windows nor ventilators on the walls of the cells. Amin’s torture chambers only consisted or had 5 cells that were filled with lots of different people who were tortured to death.
People who are planning or visit Amin’s torture chambers should keep in mind that this tourist site contains graphic and disturbing content, so they are advised to practice discretion and sensitivity when visiting the site. Tourists who are interested in dark tourism, visiting Amin’s torture chambers in Mengo should not escape your itinerary when having a Uganda safari, trip, or tour.
Apart from visiting Aim’s torture chambers, there are also other tourist sites that you can visit located within and outside of Kampala during your Uganda safari. Some of these sites include,
Since Amin’s torture chambers are located within the Lubiri Mengo palace, it will be easy for you to access the Kabaka’s palace which you should not miss on visiting after or before touring Amin’s torture chambers. On visiting the Kabaka’s palace, you will be able to learn and hear about the history and culture of the Buganda kingdom.
You can also decide to visit Kabaka’s Lake which is also not located far away from Amin’s torture chambers. You will be able to learn about the history of Kabaka’s lake and its relevance when it comes to the culture of the Buganda kingdom.
After or before your visit to Amin’s torture chambers, you can very much visit Kampala city which happens to be the capital city of Uganda. You will get to learn more about the city and its people, get to see different monuments, and test the local and street food is interesting, to mention but a few.
Some of the other places that you can visit after or before visiting Amin’s torture chambers include the Lubaga Hill, Uganda Museum, Nakasero Market, Owino Market, Wandegeya Market, Gadhafi mosque, Bahai Temple, to mention but a few. However, while visiting these places you should keep it in mind not to easily trust anyone and be very cautious with your properties.
October 31, 2026
September 24, 2026
August 13, 2026
© Copyright Bujo Safaris All Right Reserved | Privacy Policy
