Cultural Tourism in uganda

Variety of places exists in Uganda for our guests who are interested in studying the cultures of those destinations in which they have sought holidays and in Uganda the most popular cultural sites in clued the Kabaka’s trial which has a lot of cultural spots as below that guests can enjoy;

Kasubi tombs

This s a site located about 4km from  Kampala city centre on the Nabulagala hill on Kampala-Hoima road. This site was a palace of Kabaka Mutesa II and he had built it in 1882 and then later on turned as a burial ground for the Kabakas’ of Buganda after his death in 1884.

This site was gazzeted under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations in 2000. Mwanga succeeded Mutesa II, he died in1903 in Seychelles white serving deportation and the body was brought for burial in 1910. Other kings buried there include Mutesa II and Daudi Chwa

The area consists of an assortment of royal regalia such as drums, spears (used for installation of kings), smoking pipes and shield (Embelum) and many others. There are also a lot of historical attractions such as a lamb from the queen of England, two chairs and a table, Leopard which was the favorite pet of the King, the first canon brought to Uganda by Stanley, the draft letters to the Kasubi Tombs and many others. Then the Nabulagala hill where a whole view of Kampala can be made and provides good scenery for the tourist. Bird watching has also been carried out in the area especially the Avi-tourists on top of the Nabulagala hills find themselves enjoy the Avi-life of the area.

Buddo-naggalabi Coronation Site

This is a traditional cultural place where the Baganda Kings are coronated. This area Naggalabi lies at the center of Buganda kingdom, it is where the ancient chief of Buganda Kintu defeated his rivals Bemba and declared himself the first Kabaka of Buganda. Because of this historical attachment up to date, all the coronations of the Kabakas of Buganda are conducted in this area.

Nakayima shrine

This is found in Mubende. This is ancient witch tree, the base of which has a large buttress roots, it is sited on top of Mubende hills about 4km out of the town. This is a 2.13m hill with a flat table top where the ancient palace once stood provides and excellent view of Mubende town and the surrounding area.

The tree is estimated about 400-500 years and it serves as a shrine of the spirits of Nakayima the first wife of the Bachwezi King Ndahura. The shrine is visited by people playing homage to Nakayima or Bachwezi a dynasty said to have supernatural powers.

Uganda Fishing

NILE PERCH FISHING ON LAKE VICTORIA

Guides

We use local guides who are the most experienced and best boats and equipment available in the country. Prices are based upon local Ugandan guides being used for the trips.  They are knowledgeable as well as being able to communicate well in English. It is recommended that additional guides be utilised with any large groups and specialist fishing clients.

Fishing Season

All year round avoiding full moon and the April/May rainy season

Fish Caught

Nile Perch approximately 10-80kg in weight.

Methods Used

Trolling with lures is the main method of fishing used. Also live bait can be used but early request for live bait is needed. We encourage catch and release policy even here in Lake Victoria.

Boats Used

An 18 foot sea going ski boat with single foam filled hull, powered by twin Yamaha 85HP outboard engines. The boat has a maximum seating capacity of 6 passengers plus skipper and a maximum of 4 people fishing at any one time (to avoid line tangling).  A fibre glass 24 foot long “canoe” powered by a 40 hp Yamaha outboard engine is also available for smaller groups of 2-3 fishermen and usually best for day trips (not overnight).

Equipment & Facilities on board

Fishing boats are equipped with an overhead sun canopy, rain suits (there can be a certain amount of spray when the lake is rough), mobile phone, life jackets, basic first aid box and fire extinguisher on board for your safety. We also have a cooler box on board for cold drink storage. You are advised to stock your own drinks and snacks.

All equipment and lures for trolling for perch for up to 4 lines per boat are supplied, but anglers are free to bring their own.  Anything damaged or lost will need to be paid for before disembarkation.  Lures are between 20-25USD each if lost.

Meeting Point

For our day trips we meet in Entebbe outside UWEC (Zoo), Lugard Avenue, where safe parking is available and it is a short walk to the pier from where we depart/return.  Transport is arranged to and from the jetty from local Entebbe and Kampala hotels upon request and for overnight trip groups.

Day Trips - timings

Normally depart around 9.00 am or 1.00pm and return around 12.30pm or 5.00pm with a full day being approximately 8 hours on the water and a half day around 4 hours.  Fishing is done around local islands about a 45 minute boat trip from Entebbe.  The areas fished will depend upon the weather and how the fish are biting.  At certain times of the year the lake can be very rough with large swells and so then we tend to utilise the sheltered bays for fishing.  A picnic lunch is provided with a cool box of beers, mineral water and sodas as well as tea and coffee.  Anglers are free to bring along additional drinks required.

What to bring on board

We suggest you bring as much sun protection as possible - hats, sunglasses, creams as it can be quite hot out on the lake (average day time temperatures are in the mid to late 20 degrees C). Strops or sandals are a good idea as you may well get wet feet - especially getting on and off the boat!  Insect repellent is a good idea.  A camera if you’d like to capture “the big fish” on film and a pair of binoculars if you are keen on birdlife.  . Light daywear such as T shirts and shorts are normally fine but we recommend a rain jacket in case of bad weather and a sweater or light jacket for cooler weather and the evenings.

Rates will include:

Use of fishing speedboat, fuel, lunch, reasonable quantity of hot and cold drinks, services of local fishing guide  and fishing equipment for trolling for up to 4 persons on board.

Religious Sites

Kigungu landing site

This is a site located on the shores of Lake Victoria, past Entebbe international airport. On this spot, it is where the first catholic missionaries to Uganda landed on the 17th day of February in the year of our Lord 1879. The missionaries who landed in this site include Rev. Simon Lourdel and Brother Amans who belong to the white furthers group. This spot is therefore considered the birth place of the catholic faith in Uganda.

The pilgrimage taken by Catholics to the site every 17th February of every year to pay homage to the spot where their faith was born.The area consists of numerous bird species, insects and butterflies; birds include the kingfisher, black kites and the fish processing plant. The monument on the spot where these white fathers first landed to enter the land of Uganda to spread the catholic faith. Many people visit this spot especially the Catholics.

Namugongo shrine

At times this refers to as the Uganda martyrs shrine. This is a site where the disloyal pages of the Kabaka were murdered during the violent religion wars that occurred in the Buganda land in the last quarter of the 19th century. After these pages were converted to Christianity, they refused to obey the King’s orders such as the refusal to work on Sundays, claiming that it was a holy day, proclaiming the Kingdom that does not belong to the Kabaka thus jeopardizing his authority and requesting the kingdom to come through their preaching such as let your “Kingdom come”, refusal to practice homosexuality with the King on his orders were among the reasons for the murdering of the pages.

Namugongo was then, the place of execution, which started in 3rd June with the killing of Joseph Mukasa Balikedembe 15th November 1885. In this site, more than 73 Muslims, 22 Catholics and 23 Protestants were killed according to the tour guide Mutenua Ben.

The shrine is built on the sport where the massacres took place. The shrine stands on 22 pillars representing the 22 Catholic martyrs killed and the shrines depicts the traditional way in which the Uganda build their houses. It was constructed in 1967, 1975, by the local construction and can accommodate 1000 people.

In 1969 2nd August during the visit of pope John Paul II, the martyrs were canonized and the sites was made on official site for Christians all over the year make a pilgrimage to pay homage to the martyrs and ask for God’s blessings.

The two churches in the site i.e. the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Uganda. But of paramount importance is the Roman Catholic Church, which is built in the style of Buganda culture and people pay religious pilgrims, so this site on every 3rd June of the year stands on 22 pillars depicting the 22 martyrs of Uganda constructed by Roko and accommodate 1000 people.

At the catholic shrine is also an artificial lake that is believed to have been formed from the well that belongs to one of the Kabaka’s soldiers. Many Christians believe that the waters are holy have cleansing power and viewing of clear waters. The surrounding vegetation is also a great resource to the area. This permits nature lovers to view the vegetation.

In the shrine underneath, the alter are also soils, bones of the martyrs which in great attraction for pilgrims and the wonderful paintings on the walls of the shrine. The bird life surrounding the area, a lot of birds inhabit the area ranging from the small to the kites and this can promote Avi-tourism. Local cultural heritage especially the human population through their crafts dance and drama can promote cultural tourism in the area.

Eco Tourism

It has the tropical rainforests and temperatures are tropically off equatorial regions. It consists of medium altitude moist semi deciduous forests which are similar to the ones in the Congo and West African countries. Mpanga forest reserve offers forest walks in three main trails, the butterfly loop, horn bill and Baseline. The forest has 196 animal species; bush pigs, insects, about 14 species of butterflies and 200 species of trees.

Mpanga forest is also rich in primates like the monkey red tailed black and white colobus and other wildlife include pangalin, cevet cats, snakes especially those falling under the class of pythonidia, Antelopes, tree squirrels and many others. Other activities include nature walks, night walks, bird watching, research experiments from the education sector, picnicking, camping and facilities include accommodation and conference facilities.

Mabira Forest

The forest is located east of Kampala, 54km from Kampala and 26km from Jinja. It has a total boundary of 3474 km all adjoining community land. It covers an area of 3061km² (30hectares). This is the biggest remainant of the once equatorial rain forest in central Uganda with an altitude of 1070-1540m above the see level.

The forest is endowed with a variety of snakes and other reptiles. The forest has five wildlife groups according to the wildlife inventory of 1995-1996, it has the following trees and scrubs of about 312 species, mammals of about 27 species, moths of 97 species and butterflies of about 218 species and birds of about 315 species.

The tourism activities in the area include; Avi-tourism, game viewing, the attraction of botanists among others. Cultural tourism is also a popular tourist activity within the enclaves of the local communities. The forest is also crossed by a lot of rivers; this hydrosphere is habituated with uncounted water fauna and flora for the tourists. Mabira forest is also rich in primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus which provides a haven for the primatologist. Other activities in the forest also include nature walks, bird watching picnicking, camping, accommodation facilities and research stations among others.

Zika Forest

This is a representative of the once tropical rainforest which are now slowly diminishing because of mans activities. It is locates 40 km away from Kampala and occupies a total area of 4km². It was gazzeted for environmental conservation and has three ecosystems including grassland which is in the fore front, forest ecosystem and swamp or wetland vegetations and this gives three distinct canopies, as the low canopies, middle and taller canopies.

The forest has also a variety of primates especially the monkeys such as patas monkeys in the savannas, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys providing ideal resources for promatologist that allows primate viewing. A lot of bird species hover, the forest and occupies the tree ranging from aboreal birds in the forest to the wetland birds such as the shoebill stork and this richness promotes avi-tourism, birds such as cascet, hornbill, rasses and there are over 45 bird species in the forest.

Numerous butterflies also exist in the area and the forest is especially known for butterfly breading the pupas are exported to Denmark, Britain, New Zealand and Nairobi. According to Odupiano Oba the butterfly expert in pupa costs Ugshs 10,000. Other animals in the forest include the rats, snakes, pythons which can all be viewed by tourist. Animal species include the sitarunga, boar diker.