Kampala City Yange – A Clean Sweep
Cleaning might not be your idea of fun but Kampala City Yange wants to change all that. Monthly cleaning exercises are taking on a party feel in Kampala. The people who initiated the programme are still holding their breath hoping that this, like many other start-up activities in the city, will not die an early death. But with growing participation and attention Kampala City Yange (My City), could be the next big activity to attend in Kampala.
Modeled on Rwanda’s monthly clean-up dubbed, Umuganda, City Yange aims to get everyone in Kampala to drop everything one Saturday of the month to clean the city.
City Yange’s premise is that it takes more than just the city authorities to keep Kampala clean. Even with garbage trucks to take trash out to the dumping area in Kiteezi, Kampala still suffers from excessive rubbish strewn on roadsides and in open areas. Cleaning it up will take everyone’s participation – and prevention.
KCCA do have regular cleaning teams who start as early as 4am. Unfortunately, their hard work is usually completely undone by midday from those coming into the business districts. The three million people who descend on Kampala each day to trade are simply too much for the cleaning programmes. A more enduring initiative is clearly necessary to get people to maintain and pick up after themselves.
This is where City Yange comes in. Participation has been steadily growing since the exercise was launched in November 2011. Last weekend, the latest clean-up effort by City Yange was based in the Bwaise suburb and it attracted the biggest gathering so far.
KCCA has fully embraced City Yange and at the events KCCA workers provide gloves, masks, hoes and rakes. T-shirts and aprons are also in abundance for everyone involved.
In previous months, the cleaning has centred on other areas – such as the New Taxi Park. Drivers were encouraged to take a few hours off to clean up the place where they do their business.
Isaac Rucci, a former member of the 1990s boy band, Limit X and a few friends of his are the brains behind City Yange. According to Rucci, it is designed to instill a sense of belonging in Kampala dwellers. “If we can start thinking differently about our environment, it could lead to greater development for the city,” Rucci says.
Festive music and ‘celebrities’ working alongside others who attend seem to be two of the biggest drawing forces. Social media sites are alive with invites to the next programme just before the date and media newsmakers all saying they shall be there cleaning which helps to attract a larger crowd.
City Yange make sure to emphasise that it is easy to get involved as well as participate. Rucci says it is a throwback to olden days in Buganda where a similar programme, Bulungi Bwansi (Beauty of the Land) was a normal fixture on the calendar. No one was ever forced; people just knew when it was time to get cleaning. “That is what we want to see in Kampala,” Rucci states.
On the cleaning days the action starts at 8am and goes on until 1pm. Each event focuses on a different area and the volunteers involved unblock drainage pipes, sweep dust off the roads, dig up weeds and cleaning up garbage or the mess left by animals. There is no flinching; the dirtier the garbage, the more honourable it is to clean it up.
The plan for the future is to promote the programme so that Kampala residents take it up on their own. While the organisers take the action to different parts of the city this won’t be sustainable unless a city-wide movement to clean-up – and prevent littering – is embraced without reliance on KCCA or City Yange. However, with the excitement around the event, it might not be too ambitious of KCCA’s Sandra Natukunda to wish that, “Soon, every last Saturday of the month will be a public holiday in Uganda, so as to have everyone actively involved in the exercise.”
Getting involved depends on how connected you are on the social networks. Facebook and Twitter are the best places to start. From journalists to preachers to social activists, anyone who is anyone on the social scene is co-opted to push the agenda. If you want to get involved go to either City Yange’s Facebook site: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CityYange or their website: http://www.cityyange.com/. If your school, company, or group is looking for a great way to give back to the city this is it!
Read More15 Photos That Will Inspire You Visit Uganda
You might have gone through a myriad of beautiful photos from the pearl of Africa Uganda. Once again we realize that the country has some diverse wildlife and many scenic landscapes to visit on a safari. Many of these photos never shared before and to share is to care right? Here are some great photos that inspire you to take a safari to Uganda. Even the Pope Francis visited the country in 2015 so what are you waiting for?
Winston Churchill in 1902 called Uganda the pearl of Africa. Most of the country is untouched landscapes such as the permanent glaciers on Rwenzori Mountains, ancient tropical forests, vast expanse of savannah, largest fresh water bodies, River Nile, the longest in the world, beautiful waterfalls, and Virunga volcanoes. Uganda is a perfect place for any adventure traveler. Visitors can trek the mountain gorillas, hike massive volcanic mountains, raft the Nile rapids boat cruise or relax on tropical beaches of Sesse islands in Lake Victoria, the2nd largest fresh water lake in the world.
Kampala City Festival
Every year Uganda hosts a massive full day festival called the “Kampala City Festival”, which has become a premier showcase for Uganda’s culture on the world scene and changing facets of the capital Kampala. The 2017 Kampala City Festival will happen on 08th, Sunday October 2017. It is the biggest street party in east African. It’s more big fun to be with Ugandans celebrating their lifestyles. Get immersed into the traditional and modern day culture of Uganda.
Wonder through plenty of beautiful streets witness live sensational artists with entertaining genres, actors, comedians, and energetic dancers from different tribes such as Baganda, Banyankole, Bagisu and Acholi, with their colorful costumes as they spin, flip, whirl and roll in air. Enjoy a taste of Uganda’s local food like Rolex, luwombo, roasted meat and variety of beer. Lets count down together to make Kampala city festival experience colorful.
The beauty of Sesse Island tropical beaches
If you’re on a safari in Uganda looking for paradise you should visit the place. Sesse islands made up of 84 islands in the middle of Lake Vitoria. Bulago islands are the most beautiful with white sand beaches, blue waters, warn sun. You’ll find accommodation with internet, campfire, electricity and things to like swimming, sunset boat cruise, biking, birding, visiting fishing villages. That’s to spice up your relaxing holiday vacation and Bulago islands can be reached by boat from Entebbe taking 2 hours. The place is just close to Entebbe international airport
The Snow capped Rwenzori Mountains
You can travel to Rwenzori mountains national park and climb the 3rd tallest mountain in Africa. Mt. Rwenzori sometimes called mountains of the moon is so beautiful filled with glacial lakes, fast flowing rivers, and giant snow caps only 20 miles from the equator. You can hike through all five types of vegetation with rare plants like everlasting flowers and green moss that exists in Iceland. So you’ll never miss to spot rare and endemic wildlife including big mammals, primates such as Rwenzori colobus monkey, chimpanzee and birds like Rwenzori turaco which made Rwenzori mountains national park designated as UNESCO world heritage site in 1994.
Baby Mountain Gorillas
Uganda is famous for its 400 which is half of the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi impenetrable Forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla National park. Visitors who book a gorilla permit and go for gorilla trekking safari are guaranteed to see and take photos of some of the 15 gorilla families in their natural wild that have been habituated for tourists to trek. You’ll spend 1 hour with giant silverbacks, see cute baby gorillas on their mother’s as they feed, play and groom each other. Many travelers say gorilla trekking is a life changing wildlife experience like no other in the world.
Golden monkeys
Look at those beautiful primates, golden monkeys are beautiful to behold. They look strange with their divided attention that they never seem to settle but to swing swiftly among the bamboo forest. Two groups of more than 60 individuals have been habituated by Uganda wildlife authority in Mgahinga gorilla national park southwestern Uganda. If you visit Mgahinga gorilla national park don’t miss golden monkey tracking and more things to do in the park including volcano climbing, camping, birding and cultural encounters with BaTwa pygmies, the descendants of the ancient forest warrior hunter gathers.
Tree Climbing Lions
Tree climbing lions in Uganda are found in Ishasha southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. Even though seeing these big cats on a game drive is the main highlight of any safari to the park, there’s much more to see and do. The Mweya peninsula, the crater lakes trail, bush camping experience at Edward flats, boat cruise along the kazinga channel connecting lakes rift valley lakes of George and Edward would get you close to hippos, crocodiles and over 600 species. The park is historical; the queen of England visited the park in 1952, from where the park got its name.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzees share 98.7 of their DNA with humans which makes the close relatives to man. And seeing them display human instincts is fascinating. Uganda is home to 5,000 chimpanzees and the best place to see them is Kibale forest national park. This tropical rainforest also called primate capital of the world survived the ice age 25000 years ago providing home to 13 species of primates, large mammals and over 300 birds.
Lake Bunyonyi, the cleanest lake in Africa
This lava dammed lake Bunyonyi is nestled between terraced rolling Kigezi highlands, the panoramic views of its 19 islands are just out of this world. Lake Bunyonyi is an amazing place to relax, chill and go for swimming safari. The water is fresh, clean, and warm without crocodiles, hippos or bilharzias infections. You can spot lost of over 100 birds, otters and Cray fish, go hiking, visit school children, rural villages and engage with locals in their activities such as local food preparing and craft making. Although, fishing is not commercial because the lake is the deepest in Africa (900 meters) with unfavorable depth for large fish to thrive, visitors can still feast on fresh Cray fish along with delicious food, fruits and veggies served on menu in many of the lakeside accommodation such as Lake Bunyonyi overland resort.
Murchison Falls, the strongest waterfalls in Africa
Just a short 4 hours drive from Kampala city is the famous Murchison Falls, visit them on your safari to Murchison falls national park. There are thousands of waterfalls throughout Uganda, Sipi falls near mountain Elgon national park for example but none of them can beat Murchison Falls. Their metaphor is as strong as the waters of the Nile River falls over 45 meter cliff plunging into 8 meter deep gorge called the devil’s cauldron to create a trade mark rainbow. Visitors can hike up to the top of the falls or take a boat cruise to bottom of the falls along with amazing sightings of wildlife in the park such as hippos, Nile crocodiles, water birds, buffalos, elephants, giraffes, heartbeat and predators like lion, leopard and hyena.
Sempaya hot springs- Semuliki Valley national park
The Sempaya both male and female hot springs are dominated by boiling geysers with healing waters that will soothe skin diseases and sickness when you soak in there. Many visitors return from hiking and game drives hungry and can’t resist feasting on boiled banana, eggs, cassava, and sweet potatoes. The nature walk to these hot springs goes through the tropical forest of semuliki. Visitors can view primates such as red colobus monkey, red tailed monkey, blue monkey, chimps and also spot birds, plants, flowers, butterflies and insects. An ancient tree house provides panoramic views of the forest.
Semuliki valley national park is a unique park being an extension of Ituri the Cong basin rainforests and river semuliki a version of Congo River. The park has central African wildlife species that are not found anywhere in Eastern Africa. It’s famous for birding tours with birders looking for special Congo forest biome birds like piping hornbills, red-billed dwarf hornbill, including 50 species of Congo guinea fowls.
Colorful Equatorial sunsets and sunrises
Uganda is located astride the equator and with a combination of mountains, fresh water lakes and rivers, savannah, rainforest lead to creation of spectacular sunsets with all colors. Expect to see beautiful and refreshing sunsets or sunrises on a safari. Some of the best places for sunsets in Uganda include Jinja on River Nile, Sesse islands, Murchison falls national park and Lake Mburo national park, on a boat cruise you can see equatorial sunsets reflect on the waters.
Rafting on River Nile
River Nile the longest in the world boosts rapids of all classes from grade five to grade one provide excellent white rafting opportunities for both hard core and amateur adrenaline adventure lovers. visit Jinja on a safari, you’ll find plenty of adventures including speed jet bats, boat cruises, horseback riding through Nile valley, bungee jumping, quad biking, mountain biking, swimming. You explore the city of Jinja and its old Indian architecture, cool fresh air, chill and relax with Nile beer or juice in one of the bars, restaurants, riverside lodges, camp, and guest houses. Whether you’re backpacking, on budget or luxury, Jinja is the best destination for weekend holiday.
Equator Crossing
In the whole world, there are 13 countries where the equator line (zero latitudes) passes through. Uganda is blessed to be one of them and the Ugandan equator crossing experience creates amazing Uganda safari memories with photos of you standing in northern and southern hemispheres. Being located in Kayabwe, Mpigi district along the Masaka-Kampala high way just 11/2 hours drive from Kampala city, the equator crossing makes a good stopover for many visitors on a trip to south western Uganda. Before heading off, enter the shops for coffee and craft products.
Traditional Ugandan Rural life
Ugandans are renowned world wide as the friendliest people. Uganda has ethnic diversity of more than 55 tribes, each with their unique traditional culture. The best way to experience the local life is visit villages or visit a home stay such as Nshenyi in western Uganda.
Read MoreResponsible Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
For gorilla trekkers, Gorilla trekking pro poor and responsible tourism is a life changing experience and the activities towards this include; canoeing on lake Bunyonyi and lake Mutanda and visiting the Batwa.Usually tourists want to get the best paid of their gorilla tour and in most cases they ask questions like when is the best time to trek gorillas? Well, mountain gorillas can be tracked throughout the whole year most especially during the drier months of June, July and during early September though there is no guarantee that it will not rain since Bwindi Impenetrable National is a tropical rain forest. In Uganda, the gorilla permit is obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority and in Rwanda; it is obtained from Rwanda Development Board. The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is USD 600 and in Rwanda is USD 750.
The park is located in south western Uganda and is divided into four regions of Buhoma region in the North, Ruhija region in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the South. All these regions have gotten habituated gorilla families thus you need to mind about a specific region where you are going to trek the gorilla family you are going to trek so that this does not affect your booked accommodation/lodge and your transport and the gorilla permit.As visitor/tourists, you are advised to book your gorilla permit at least three months in advance before your trekking date. On a gorilla permit card, the cost of the park entry fees is include for the respective park services including the guides/ranger who will escort you to the forest. Either you trek in Rwanda or Uganda, you need to get the permits in advance.
Mountain gorilla tracking experience exercise can take twenty (20) minutes to 3 (three) quarters of the day thus one needs to prepare for this both and this in most cases depends on many factors which include; the movement of mountain gorillas that day, where the mountain gorillas might have stayed the previous night and the mood of the mountain gorillas. In some cases, it depends on the number of people in the trekking group because the guides /rangers do move following the movements of the slowest person in the group.
In both countries (Uganda and Rwanda), the recommendable age for trekking/tracking gorillas is 15( fifteen ) years and the authorities are very strict on this thus you are kindly advised to make sure that all in your group, the children must be in the age bracket 15 and above in order to avoid any miserable incidents such clients/guest being refused to track the mountain gorillas. However as opposed to trekking Chimpanzees, the age limit for this is 12 years and children 10 years and older are allowed to trek the golden monkeys in the Republic of Rwanda as long as they are accompanied by an adult. However children less than 15 years are not allowed to the tomb of Dian Fossey though the latter hike is a stiff one thus children under 12-13 years of age are not recommended to the burial place. Your gorilla trekking experience needs to be prepared for very we thus you are advised to bring along with you trousers, long sleeved shirt or blouses, long socks. You may also carry sun glasses, hiking boots and insect repellents.
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16 Things to Know About Chimpanzees in the Wild
Chimpanzees are among the great apes that live in the tropical rain forests. chimpanzees are known to exist in 21 countries of Africa including Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania Senegal and Angola in the West. It should be noted that Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has the largest population, although chimpanzees have become extinct in some areas due to political instabilities, poaching, and diseases among others. There are many tours organised by tour operators to enjoy chimpanzee watching in Uganda. According to Vacation Safaris one of the active adventure operators, there are opportunities for chimpanzee tracking and chimpanzee habituation.
Here are 16 facts you should know about chimpanzees in the wild.
- African chimpanzees grow to reach heights of 3 to 5 feet, and weigh up to 120 to 200 pounds. They are predominantly black, sometimes with gray color on their back after 20 years of age.
- Chimpanzees are the most social of all the apes and live in communities or troops of between 15 and 120 individuals. Like fathers in homes, Chimpanzee troops are also headed by male chimps and elder chimps.
- Their communities are often split into a number of subgroups with a male as the leader of the group.
- Male chimps leave the community where they were born – they can form their own groups or join new troops.
- Female chimps often migrate to a new community during an adolescent estrus period. In the process, they try to look for male chimps for mating and finally bare offspring.
- Chimpanzees move mostly on the ground by knuckle walking.
- Chimpanzees groom each other daily, and this activity has an important social function of calming and comforting individuals and solidifying their bonds with each other.
- Mothers often move alone with their offspring.
- Chimpanzees construct nests at night in which to sleep.
- Chimpanzee males in the wild cooperatively hunt for meat.
- Their diet is mainly fruits with regular amounts of insects, as well as birds and small mammals.
- Chimpanzees are capable of using tools to gain access to food, such as fishing for termites with sticks fashioned for the job and cracking open nuts with anvil-like rocks. They use tools like sticks, stones and so on.
- Females in estrus have a prominent swelling of the pink perineal skin that lastis two to three weeks and occurs every four to six weeks.
- Females give birth every four to five years and their gestation period is eight to nine months.
- Chimpanzees have a long mother-infant dependency period. Infants will nurse on their mothers for five years and stay with their mothers several more years learning to care for younger siblings.
- The life span for chimpanzees is 40 to 50 years in the wild and over 50 to 60 years in captivity.
What to Expect From a Uganda Safari
Picture yourself with your camera in hand gazing at the beautiful wildlife and breathtaking sites as you carefully listen to the intriguing sounds of Uganda’s wilds. As you look around you – you can’t quite believe you are here.
Uganda Safaris are incredibly popular because Uganda is one of the top African safari destinations. With an amazing array of safaris to choose from, that is the most desirable safari that is gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Kibale national park, Chimps in Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu found in Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national parks respectively. More safaris to choose from include Uganda wildlife safaris, Uganda bird watching safaris including a visit to see the rare shoebill in Mabamba Bay swamp and Murchison falls, Mountain Hiking / Mountaineering safaris on Mountain Rwenzori and mountain Elgon, Cultural safaris that has many options either to visit historical sites of Buganda and Uganda like the Tanda Caves, The source of the Mighty Nile, Kasubi Tombs, Palaces, Namugongo Shrine , Ssemuliki hot springs or Visiting the people that has unique cultures like the Batwa people, the Karamojong people.
Uganda is located in Eastern part of Africa bordering Kenya, Rwanda, Congo Sudan and Tanzania. Uganda is well known for mountain gorillas which brings a number of tourists to the country to see these rare creatures. Tourism is important to this country, and with the amazing gorillas and wildlife, tourists are drawn to this area of Africa. You can look forward to viewing all types of wildlife including: Tree climbing lions, Leopards, Elands, Uganda Kobs, Elephants, Hippos, Buffaloes, Water bucks, Buffaloes, Zebras, Giraffes, Impalas, Warthogs among others.
If you book a Uganda safari , you will likely visit one or more of these areas:
Queen Elizabeth National Park – This Park is a unique wildlife area that is home to a number of different species. Which includes warthogs, buffalo, rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, beautifully horned Uganda kob, topi, waterbuck, elephant and leopard?
The Kazinga Channel alone is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos, but interestingly enough not many crocodiles!
Murchison Falls National Park: This is also a truly wildlife paradise and it has a number of Wildlife attractions that includes lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees and many bird species including the rare shoebill
To book your own Uganda wildlife safari, you need to work with a company with the experience, expertise and connections to create your ideal safari vacation. Gorilla trail Safaris Company is the leading safari planning company and they would be pleased to help you with your plans.
We offer you a dedication to quality unmatched by anyone else in the industry. When you book your gorilla safari in Uganda with Gorilla trail safaris, you get to draw on their resources of highly respected professional guides, stay at the leading safari camps and lodges and indulge in unique adventure and safari activities. Gorilla Trail Safaris company continually monitors and evaluates all ground operators and accommodation providers to ensure they are providing you with the quality product and service you are looking for.
Meet the Gorillas of Mgahinga National Park
Gorilla tracking is the number one adventure that tourists take while in Uganda. Given its popularity most tourists visit Uganda for gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. There are many tour operators who offer gorilla safaris that range from cheap to luxury gorilla tours. On one of our recent fascinating journeys to the gorillas, we managed to visit one of the gorilla families in Mgahinga National Park. Meet the gorillas of Mgahinga National Park;
BUGINGO GORILLA- MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK- UGANDA GORILLA –GORILLA TREK AFRICA
Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only one found in Mgahainga forest National Park. The park is located at the edge of Uganda –Rwanda boarder and the Democratic republic of Congo. Currently, Nyakagezi gorilla family consists of more than 10 individual members who are all in good condition. The group is led by the dominant silverback by the name; BUGINGO and father to most of the group members- Like human beings, the husband heads the family and together with his wife, they give birth to new off springs- most of the children in a particular home are fathered by the husband. Fortunately, Bugingo’s has sons like Mark and Marfia, Rukundo and Ndungutse, who love to pose and play/ swing in trees. The two daughters; Nshuti and Nyiramwiza are now adults and have managed to give birth to Bugingo’ grand children namely Furraha and Nkanda. Although gorilla tracking in Mgainga Gorilla National Park can take an entire day it is generally less physically demanding than that at Bwindi National Park. Being with one Gorilla group, Mgahinga game rangers can easily predict where the group slept basing on the it’s previous locality.
While in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, visitors can as well have a clear view of the mighty virunga ranges- this is fabulous point for excellent photography. Virunga Mountains like Muhavura (4,127m) , Sabinyo (3,645m) and Gahinga (3,474m), dominate the landscape here at Uganda’s smallest national park- Mgahinga.
Looking for a Safari?
Are you looking at taking a gorilla safari to Mgahinga National Park? There are lots of tours and safaris available offered by various tour operators in both Uganda and Rwanda. Find exclusive deals on a wide choice of safaris available all year round from trusted and reliable travel experts.
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Best 8 Places to Hangout in Kampala
The social life in Kampala is exciting. The city is full of good hangout places appropriate for both day and night .Though most of the hang out places make it to the best for night life.
1. Kampala casino
It is one of the best places to be in Kampala .Good music fills the place at night,
Classy drinks are ever in stock. It is good for the corporate class and billionaires around the city. It is located near Christ the King Church, just in the city center.
2. Ange Noir
Ange Noir stands for ‘black angel’ in French. For those who want good music and good times, Ange noir is one of the best places to be. It is located in the old industrial area of Kampala and one of the long serving dance places in Uganda.
3. Club Silk
It is also among the long serving associate places in Kampala .It is located in the industrial area a small distance from the city center. It is known for good music played by the best DJs.
4. Cayenne Bar and Restaurant
Cayenne is located in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb, less than two miles from the city center. It is both a restaurant and bar, good for executives and high class persons.
5. Club Rouge
It is located on Jinja road next to the Uganda Railways cooperation Club rogue. It is known for embracing celebrities.At any time of the day the club is ever ready to avail comfort and satisfaction.It is a great place to hang out in Kampala.
6. Hi-table
It is located on Kampala – Jinja road; adjacent to Pioneer mall. It is popular for its good music. It is one of the hottest spots for big spenders around the city. Kampalans storm the place as early as 6pm and fun hangs in the air through out the night with great music and drinks.You Should not miss it when you Visit Kampala. It is an outstanding hang out place in Kampala.
7. Rock Garden Bar and Restaurant
Rock Gardens is an open pub in the city center, it is run by the Speke hotel management. Excellent DJs fill the place with excellent music at night as the large crowd is served drinks.
8. Boda Boda :
It is another hangout place in Kampala on the roof top of Garden City shopping mall. It is just a few yards off Jinja road.
Read MoreExplore Uganda’s Treasures
Are you looking to exploring the unique places and attractions in Uganda? The Pearl of Africa gives you different opportunities to explore its immense beauty! From gorilla safaris into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park to traditional safari holidays, there are lots of adventures you can embark on and explore Uganda. There are trips to see wildlife, birds, culture or the magnificent geographical features that decorate the country!
Less discovered by tourists, Uganda came into the lime light when Sir Winston Churchill visited Africa in 1907 and was surprised by the country’s beauty, magnificence, variety of form, color, and profusion of brilliant life. Uganda’s endowment is one of the most fascinating and breath-taking the world has got – from the endangered mountain gorillas to over 1065 bird species. It is of little wonder that the country was named the number one tourist destination in the world by the lonely planet in 2012 and is still among the top tourist destinations in the world.
The natural gifts Uganda boosts of range from, the magnificent and one of the most challenging hiking places in the World; the Mt Rwenzori regarded as a world heritage site by UNESCO, to the strongest/ hardest water falls in the world; Murchison falls where the world’s longest river; the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gap before plunging 42m deep into the gorge. The falls also provide spectacular view for the Nile crocodile. For the hikers, the world’s largest intact mountain caldera on mountain Elgon which is about 40km2 wide can captivate your safari experience after hiking to Wagagai. The once highest mountain in Africa, has been heavily affected by erosion and now lies in 4th place in East Africa and 8th in Africa, nonetheless it remains with the largest volcanic base in the whole world at 4000km2. For those interested in water activities, Uganda is your new home providing an opportunity for a boat trip on the waters of the 2nd largest inland fresh water in the world and largest in Africa; L. Victoria. With the adrenalin arousing activities like rafting and bungee jumping along the Nile, you may be sure of a terrific adventure. Uganda’s natural wonder is not limited to only geography but also wild life and culture.
The country is home to about 7% of the total mammal species in the world totaling to over 100 mammal species including the members of the big five class, those in the cat family and a long list of angulates. It is also of less wonder, that Uganda is Africa’s best birding destination with over 1037 bird species about 60% of total bird species in Africa including the tropical and savanna species. The country is also home to about half of the remaining endangered gentle and intelligent giant apes; the Mountain gorillas whose population in the world is estimated at about 750 individuals. With about 13 primate species including the graceful and man’s closest relative with about 98.4% of DNA similar to a human being; the chimpanzee, Uganda is the world’s primate harbor. The other primates include the rare golden monkey in Mgahinga National Park, the Kavirondo bush baby in Kidepo national park and other monkey species both diurnal and nocturnal among others.
With us, you will explore Uganda’s rich cultural diversity of over 66 cultures and languages emanating from 4 ethnic groups. Despite being a culture melting pot, Uganda remains one of the countries with the most welcoming and hospitable people on the continent of Africa. We package our safaris based on your interest to turn your wishes into experiences.
Read MoreNaggalabi, Buganda’s Coronation Site
Naggalabi Coronation site is one of the most important cultural sites to Buganda. This site comprises of different historical houses that are important in the coronation of the Buganda kings. As we celebrate 20 years of coronation of Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II, lets have a recap of Naggalabi Coronation Site, one of the best sites that attracts tourists that take cultural tours in Uganda.
The Buganda house, where the prince spends nine days after being crowned is the most important historical sites in Buganda.
Though it bears great significance for Buganda and is on the list of the key tourist sites in the region, nothing about Naggalabi coronation site shows it. The site is near Kings College Buddo, about 14km from Kampala, off Masaka Road.
A mini-forest fans the place with a cool breeze and the hilly setting affords a panoramic view of parts of Kampala, Mpigi and Wakiso districts and Lake Victoria. It is hard to believe that a major crowning ceremony ever took place here. There is a small dilapidated hut without a roof, windows and doors. Physical signs on the hut show that it was destroyed by fire. A dilapidated concrete podium to the right is surrounded by bushes and rusty iron poles. The caretaker, William Mugambwa, 67, has been in charge since 1967.
“They do not give me anything to look after this place. Not even a machete, hoe or slashes to clean up this place,” he laments. Mugambwa says he worked in the Lubiri palace during Kabaka Edward Mutesa II’s reign before the 1966 attack.
History
Mugambwa points out the exact spot where the coronation was done. It is a small anthill surrounded by rocks and flowers, which he says he planted to easily identify the spot.
“Everything got messed up. We cannot return it to its glory because we lack funds,” he says.
The main coronation site was once fenced with reeds, but it was destroyed by heavy rains and wind in 2005. Even the two trees that formed the coronation seat are no more.
History and significance
Mugambwa refers me to Lawrence Mukalazi Kimbowa, who is Semanobe’s (the one responsible for the crowning rituals) prime minister.
Kimbowa says no one can become King of Buganda without going through the rituals at Naggalabi coronation site.
Thirty-six kings have since been crowned here, starting with Kabaka Chwa Nabaaka. Kimbowa says it started after two princes, Kintu and Bemba, fought for the kingship in the 14th Century on this hilltop.
“Bemba first attacked Kintu whom he ousted, but later Kintu re-organized his army, attacked and killed Bemba,” he narrates. Bemba’s head was cut off and buried at the spot of the anthill, where the king sits during his crowning.
“This meant that Kintu had won the battle and that it was his triumph. After this battle, Kintu declared that every king of Buganda had to be crowned at Naggalabi,” Kimbowa explains. He says the trees that formed the extraordinary seat at the site fell during a heavy storm and termites weakened them.
The coronation
At coronation, the prince uses shortcuts with his people through Mutundwe, Bunamwaya and Katale, where other rituals are done before arriving at Naggalabi for the main event.
The prince then goes through a demo fight with the Semanobe using sugarcane suckers, a fight he must win.
He then heads to the Bwanika House, about half a kilometer away, for secret rituals to make him king.
The rituals are conducted by the daughter of Semanobe.
After this ritual, the prince goes to the anthill to be crowned. It is covered by animal skins and the prince is dressed with a bark cloth and given a spear called “Kanuuna” signifying the sucker which Buddo used to kill Bemba, and a knife, among other items.
After being confirmed, Kimbowa says the king is given a white cow which he spears to death as a symbol that he is ready to fight for his people.
Buganda House
After coronation the new king proceeds to Buganda House, also about half a kilometer away. Kimbowa says when Kintu became king, he constructed his palace at Naggalabi and it was named Buganda.
Today, it is a circular house with an iron roof, built with modern materials. Inside, it is partly covered with bark cloth and plywood and the floor is carpeted with dry grass. The whole building stands on one centre pole wrapped in bark cloth.
The house was once a traditional structure of grass and reeds, but later changed to protect it from destruction towards the coronation day for Kabaka Mutebi.
“Every crowned king spends nine days in this house. Nobody in the area is to touch a woman until the king completes the nine days. This period is known as “Enaku ezobwerinde” (days of tension),” he adds.
The kabaka uses the nine days to select his cabinet and strategize on how to run the affairs of the kingdom.
Mbonelede
This tree is believed to be one of the oldest trees in the country. It is said that during his reign, Kabaka Kintu used it as his court.
It is large, with long branches bending to the ground from the top in an umbrella-like shape.
During court sessions, people pleaded for mercy saying ‘“Mbonelede,” meaning “I have learnt a lesson,” thus giving the tree its name. For over 500 years, subsequent kings used the same tree as their court.
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