This location is approximately 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi), by road, directly south of the central business district of Kampala.

Measuring 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2), the palace is ringed by a six-foot brick fence and has a small airstrip within its walls.

According to legend, ancient migrant communities from the Ssese Islands who settled on the hill used these stones to grind their food.

The Bulange, which houses offices for the Kabaka and the Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament), is at the base of Namirembe Hill.

The building was constructed between 1953 and 1958 by Muteesa II of Buganda at a cost of US$5 million, which was a colossal sum at that time.