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View Uganda is the official publication of Assegai Business Solutions Ltd.Soliz house 4th floor. Lumumba avenueKampala Uganda (East Africa)P.O. Box 9800,Kampala UgandaTel: + 256772005050 / 0780924424Email: [email protected]
Editor in chiefKisamba AndrewEmail: [email protected]: +256702313212Design AgencyJazzy Designs LtdEmail: [email protected]
Advertising and SalesTel: + 256772005050 / 0780924424 Email: [email protected]: +256752829552
ContributorsSOLOMON OLENYEDWIN NUWAGABAEDWARD NINSIIMAVIEW UGANDA
PhotographyKITAULWA IBRAhIMSOLOMON OLWENYANDREW KAGWABAhINGWIRE JOSEPhJAcOB NAMANYA
DISCLAIMER:Where as every care has been taken in the preparation of View Uganda, Assegai Business Solutions Ltd cannot take resposibility of the accuracy of information herein or any consequences arising from it. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the chief editor nor those of Assegai Business Solutions Ltd.
Assegai Business Solutions Ltd.
8
9
Baits ready for a big catch.
Team celebrating a successful catch.
Wildquest
good fishingdullmommentOn this particular trip, we
went with Wild Frontier.
never a
By William Mutumba
Kampala is one of those strange
places that despite being a
green city, lacks green spaces
demarcated for recreational
purposes. It’s an oddity that bothers its
inhabitants, let alone the visitor that looks
out of the plane window expecting to be
met by green fields as she lands at Entebbe
international airport. There seems to be no
answer to this sad story until one discovers
one of the world’s largest play fields; the
majestic Lake Victoria itself!
This lake is one of the very few fresh water
bodies in the world that are still lonely
save for a lone canoe in the distance. Yet
it provides a sports fishing experience that
is hard to beat, seeing as its temperatures
are friendly all year around. And that is
exactly why I and five friends couldn’t help
but head out for a full-day sports-fishing
excursion. On this particular trip, we went
with Wild Frontiers, having been blown
away by the positive reviews about it in
different travel advisories.
As I write this, it is over three days since
we conquered the excursion. I couldn’t be
happier. Wild Frontiers’ two-man crew comprising a
boat captain and guide made sure we were well taken
care of from start to finish; but it was their reassuring
confidence that gave us the nuts and bolts for our
mission. Even better, the boat was well suited for deep
lake trolling. It was a speed boat, roughly between 18
& 30 feet (6-10 metres), powered by twin outboard
engines.The adventure started at Waterfront Beach in
Entebbe with us being taken through a briefing, with
an emphasis on safety and the DOs and DONTs of
the adventure. It was drizzling outside but that was
the least of our worries as the 12 seater-boat was
sheltered with waterproof roofs. That aside, the captain
had raincoats for everyone. Seeing as it was a full
day’s excursion, lunch was packed for us.
All through, the waves were calm. Seeing other boats
bob up and then out of sight was awesome.
To be honest, we didn’t expect to see much because
it was coming to noon when we got to fishing, yet
fish are mostly active in the morning hours. To our
astonishment though, after riding into deeper parts of
the lake for about one hour, our boat was surrounded
by lots of shy and elusive aquatic creatures. Photo
opportunities abounded and the guides always kept
us informed of what we were seeing while instructing
us on how to bait the biggest catch. They were really
patient instructors. This makes the activity feasible
even for first timers.
The artificial lures were a delicacy designed to attract
giant Tilapias and Nile perch. This heightened our
chances of walking away victorious. However, it would
take lots of minutes before landing on a good catch
(2 gigantic Nile Perches weighing over 15 kilograms
each). This victory was worth a huge celebration, like
a lottery win! Luckily, there were lots of beers on board
to cheer with. Did I say there was coffee too? Yes,
there was. Just was what we needed to recharge our
batteries, and more.
It was so refreshing to listen to the waves as they
gently rocked the boat. Truly relaxing to both the body
and the mind. I had gone to fish, that I knew. But little
did I know that by the end of the adventure, the lake
would have fished out the stress from me too.
David almost got sick mid-way the tour. Luckily, the
guides had first aid skills that are a notch above the
norm. Their tips on dealing with sea sickness actually
worked for him!!!
Beyond the fish, the activity was also an opportunity
to see lots of major attractions I didn’t know of; the
Island from which Entebbe got its name, one of the
arenas Buganda’s Kabaka routinely visits to appease
his ancestors, and then there was the Equator; one of
the few places in Africa where one can be at both the
Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time.
How cool is that?
Baits being well places.
5 FORWORD
6 Wild Uganda Never a dull momment
12 Hiking Easy to climb hills and mountains
16 Busoga Nhenda hill of fortunes
22 Ekizino Kigezi dance
28 Mujaguzo ku ngoma Buganda drums 30 Health Exchange Uganda hotel owners Association
32 Story session
34 Bayimba Festival
36 Michael kitanda Jazz artist
44 Tulambule Queen Elizabeth park
46 Biggest Game park Africa’s largest50 Quality Hill Kampala’s best kept secret
62 Road trip Tanzania’s Serena hotels
28 29
Culture
Mujaguzo Ku NgomaBuganda’s
the palaceof
Andrew Kagwa
Setting out to visit the Kampala slum called Mujaguzo Ku Ngoma in Kabowa in Ndeba, can be a daunting task.
Right from the city center, you will be amazed by the huge number of people that have no idea what you are talking about when you ask for directions. They imagine the place doesn’t exist. Yet only minutes after the Kabaka’s palace and lake, amidst the dusty roads in Ndeba, lies this vast land property that was in the past known as Ettaka Ly’Engoma where the special house/palace of the royal drums is
erected.Music was very important in the Buganda kingdom, not just for entertainment but even for communication. For instance, songs like Gwanga Mujje and Sagala Agalamidde were used to invite the community to action. Daniel Kimoomera Mukasa, a custodian at Kabowa ku Mujaguzo, says music was vital in the palace and thus was the presence of all the assigned instrumentalists. He narrates how there was always a different sound played for a particular event or time of day.Kimoomera is a title given to custodians at Mujaguzo ku Ngoma.
royal drums
HRH William Nadiope Gabula IV waving to his people.
Unlike the prime minister who is chosen by the Kabaka, this title is hereditary and is only held by people from the Butiko clan.The common story going round is that Mujaguzo is the biggest drum in the palace and is usually hit by the Kabaka on celebrations. However, Kimoomera asserts that the public has got this fact wrong; “Mujaguzo is the group of royal drums, it’s not just a lone drum.” Mujaguzo is the collection that comprises Entenga, Entamivu, Namanyonyi and Kawulugumu among other drums that were common in the palace. “Of course some of the drums were destroyed especially in the years when the kingdom had been abolished but the major ones still exist,” Kimoomera says.Entenga and Entamivu are some of the sounds that suffered over the years; they have barely gone quiet, because of their significance . Entenga is a set of fifteen pentatonic drums with twelve of them tuned to the notes of a xylophone. Thus in a full song played on the drums, one can experience the percussion, bass, rhythms and multiple melodies across its six players .Because of Buganda’s strong belief in power that is inherent in the drum, Mujaguzo is considered a king and thus can never spend a night in the same palace as the Kabaka; because a palace can’t have two kings at the same time overnight.Kimoomera says Mujagozo’s palace was originally located next to the Kabaka’s palace in Lubaga, in the area that currently hosts the Catholic Church cathedral. However, when Mutesa I gave out the lands to the Catholic Church, the palace was relocated to Mengo and the drums’ palace have now ended up in Kabowa in Ndeba, which was once a forest. According to Kimomera, the land was kept as a forest with just two houses for a really long time; that’s how it was saved from destruction during the 1966 crisis; “The area was a very
big garden with only two houses in the middle. During the crisis, Obote’s army was looking for things associated with the Kingdom but they couldn’t get to those houses.” Mujaguzo has since survived many other political and social crises that have come and gone in Uganda, despite sometimes finding Buganda in the middle of the crisis. much it is far from the glory of playing host to the royal drums, the history is still intact especially with people like Kimomera the current custodian.The house that keeps the Kawulugumu drum is of utmost importantance. In case a new kabaka is to be coronated, it’s in this house that the first ceremonies occur. Apparently, the old Kawulugumu is stripped of its skin and replaced with a new one to signify that the old drum (kabaka) is gone and a new one has been enthroned. The ceremonies end with the new kabaka hitting Kawulugumu for the first time; “By the time he goes to Nagalabi, he’s a complete king.”Despite the rich history and numerous years after Buganda kingdom was restored, many things have gone wrong from within. The general Kabowa area doesn’t befit the majesty Kimoomera describes. In fact the two houses that keep the drums are squeezed within a fast growing slum. It’s said officials from the kingdom were behind the massive sale that reduced the once glorious palace to a compound sharing a fence with an old garage at the rear end, and a car parking on the other side.With many decisions of the kingdom veering away from culture, the likes of Kimoomera can only hope places like Kabowa will not be forgotten, being reduced to a mere myth for the generations ahead.
Fossils on display.
Contents
34 35
Life style
Owaro dances at Capitol palace hotel, Nagulu.
Bayimba InternationalFestival
of the Arts
Almost the most famous arts event in the country, Bayimba is credited for opening the arts market up to Ugandans. This September, in the third week
as usual, the festival will be celebrating ten years since they started rocking the arts scenes. Even with a variety of
art disciplines, the public usually pays more attention to what happens on the music stages and it’s not so different this time round. Acts like Haka Mukiga, Makadem, Apio Moro, Maurice Kirya and Coopy Bly have since been announced as performers.
Festivals you should attend this year.Uganda may not be anywhere close to Edinburgh when it comes to hosting festivals, but we can’t ignore the fact that the mood of celebrating our heritage is fast catching up.For instance in the past two years, those that celebrate the arts have added festivities like Nyege Nyege, Tuzinne Festival, Kampala International Documentary Film Festival, Stone Fest Music and Arts Festival and Kampala International Short Film Festival among others. It’s probably because of the increasing numbers of festivals that many organizers have started venturing way out of Kampala in search of alternative venues.As we get into the busiest season of the art industry this year, we present to you those festi-vals that you should look out for.
Uganda Film FestivalCommonly known among film makers as UFF, it is a government initiative sponsored through their Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) arm. The festival has in the past been happening in the third week of August but this year it will happen in the last week, and part of it will spill over into the first few days of September. The festival celebrates the art of telling stories through film by screening over a
hundred Ugandan fiction, documentaries, short films and animated films in cinemas across the country.The festival ends with a gala where the best films, actors and other contributors to the industry are awarded.
JamaFest East African FestivalIt’s an East African Community festival that brings together cultures from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Southern Sudan. The festival
will be taking place at both the National Theatre and Kololo Independence Grounds in the second week of September.
Kampala Fashion WeekAbbreviated as KFW, this festival has positioned itself as the most anticipated fashion event in the nation, even ahead of the Abraynz Fashion Awards. Usually held at The Square, KFW brings together the best brains in Uganda’s fashion to showcase their progress, and at the same time ushers in newer talents through independent programmes like the Seed Show training where winners get a chance to showcase.
Kampala Capital City CarnivalOriginally created to celebrate fifty years of Uganda’s independence in 2012, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)-organized carnival has since grown into a calendar event that happens in the week ushering in the October 9 independence celebrations.The carnival gives Ugandans a chance to love and embrace the beauty that Kampala city is. During the festivities there’s a showcase of food, culture, music and of course beer and liquor.This year’s edition will be preceded by a charity concert that will be headlined by Tanzanian Bongo star Diamond Platinumz.
Madox in Nyeganyege
3332 33
Zoey the story teller.
Life style
Reviving the art ofAfrican Story
session
Owaro dances at Capitol palace hotel, Nagulu.
By Andrew Kaggwa“If we don’t tell the African story, Africa will disappear,” the words of Ousmane Sembene, the father of African cinema, open the documentary Sembene which celebrates the legacy of the storyteller.Much as the formats of telling an African story have since evolved thanks to people like film maker Sembene, author Ngugi W’a Thiongo, and playwright and poet Wole Soyinka, today, in 2017, some people still feel the need to revive the traditional and innocent storytelling that used to happen around the fire place.She Zoey says that traditional storytelling in Africa is something that started long ago with the stone man around the fire. With time, people in the ancient days were telling stories in various ways. “They would do it in all forms, oral, painting, warriors would sing
songs about the battles they won and how they won them,” she says.Zoey She says that there’s a need to revive storytelling especially if Africa has to archive her heritage and traditions. “If we don’t tell these stories, Africa may stunt; Africa survives at the foundation of her stories,” she says.Born Janat Kyazzike, Zoey has been telling stories since she was a child. Back then, they would do it as a family and at different school competitions. It was only in 2012 that she took on the art professionally. “See, people may not understand this but one day at campus, God told me that that is where I would earn money from, this is what I was meant to do,” she says adding that pursuing storytelling for her is more like a calling. She has done a number of corporate jobs but never found them as fulfilling as she found
storytelling when she took it on.Using gestures, signs and her native lingo, Lugwere from Eastern Uganda, Zoey usually tells a story about love, family, leadership but above all, African unity. “What I am mostly interested in is exposing the African culture through folk stories. Even if someone asked me to perform about something else I will end up taking it to that direction.”Much as it looks like an art of standing and talking to people, Zoey reveals that it takes more than that to have an impact with the performances. For instance, the way she performs for children will not be the same way she will deliver to adults. “For children, there’s some content you can’t include and it altogether differs,” she says adding that the type of audience usually determines the energy of the performer but it only plays out depending on whether they are children or adults; “If I am performing for people of different cultures, nothing changes.”Storytelling in the centuries before was a powerful tool
that didn’t only entertain but also passed down norms and culture, with stories about legends like Kintu and Nambi. They drove messages about creation, birth and death while in proverbs like ‘If you want to go fast, Go alone. If you want to go far, go together,’ they seemed to reinstate lessons for daily community harmony like the importance of working as a team.In his single Namukwakula, folklore artist Giovanni Kiyingi talks about the demise of storytelling by noting that our culture was infested by foreign influence thus robbing us of things that made us African; “Today, people have taken on foreign cultures to an extent that they think theirs are backward,” he says.Today, even with Zoey and friends trying to revive the original art, she claims she’s not static but rather moves with the times; her performances marry folklore music and poetry to bring the art up to date.The fusion seems to be working since Zoey is one of the contemporary in-demand performers
that has graced Laba art festival, Fete De La Musique, Nteredde Documentary Showcase and A Ka Dope Weekend, a festivity that tends to celebrate art that’s not very conventional.But even when she seems to be doing well with the art, she reveals that people are not so ready for an art that takes them to a place they don’t want to be at; “Ugandans like to be like the people they see on TV, thus they are still afraid of a performance they think is taking them to what they think is backward.”Kagimu Joshua, also known as Rap Poet, says that storytelling and poetry are swiftly getting an audience willing to consume the art. “There are people that are consuming the art, problem is that many of them like the English kind which is like poetry, they are yet to adapt to those performing in the local languages.”
52 53
By Solomon Oleny
Over the years, many hotel groups have opened up in East Africa but not stood
the test of time. They usually go wrong with areas like mismanagement, provision of low quality services and an inability to meet or foretell customer requirements. In contrast however, Serena is an international hospitality company that has beaten the odds and remained a first-option destination for many high-end travellers (since the 1970s). To get an accurate picture of what makes them
tick; Solomon Oleny recently visited four of their properties in Tanzania where they have 10 hotels. These comprise safari lodges, beach front hotels and city hotels. Here are his findings in relation to what Uganda tour operators can do to strengthen their businesses. Establish operational structures that reduce staff turnoverThe bottom-line of creating a business is to achieve profit maximization – an objective best facilitated by rewarded, committed staff. Regrettably, most employers consider rewarding their employees as a “by-the-way”. This usually results in high staff turnover,
53
Lessons fromSerena
hotels
Tanzania’sand shoddy services from dispirited staff. Given that prevention is better than regret, Serena Hotel has a structure which honours and rewards employees who have dedicated themselves to its sustainability and growth.Ellieta Mbisse manages two of their premium lodges found in Africa’s biggest game reserve,
Selous Game Reserve Tanzania. The lodges are; Mivumo River Lodge and Serena Camp. Chaulo joined Serena Group in the early 2000s as a waiter. Due to his dedication, the gent now in his early 40’s has risen through the ranks over the years. His life story being an example, he observes that it is typical for most employees to work for
Serena for over 10 years, and their hard work is not in vain. The staff get health benefits and community support. “This goes a long way in making them give their all when attending to clients... At the end of the day, the equation is a win-win for all the three parties involved; staff, management and clients,” Chaulo delights.
Around Africa
Serena Dar Es Salaam, one of the 10 properties of Serena in Tanzania
Guests dining at Serena Dar es salaam
44 VIEW UGANDA - ATTRACTIVE PACKAGES
The organizers choose the music acts so expertly, so delicately. They have, over the years, studied their target audience’s tastes and they speak their language.
Murchison falls boat tour ride
Tulambule
44 45
Suggested 3 days 2 nights tour packages at Queen Elizabeth National park
Life style
SUGGESTED 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS TOUR PACKAGESQUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park located in Kanunugu district. You can have a tour of the Buwama crocodile Farm and stop over at the equator for a photo opportunity. Proceed to the park and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the serenity of your environment.Day 2: Awake for an early
morning trek to view the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Kazinga channel viewing the wildlife as they come for a drinkDay 3. Have an early morning game drive to view savanna animals. Proceed to Lake Katwe for a cultural tour on salt mining. Proceed back to Kampala.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for the park
located in Masindi town. Enjoy a game drive to the lodge. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Day 2: Enjoy a game drive to the Delta plains of the Nile. Watch out for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos lions and so much more. In the afternoon enjoy a cruise on the Nile to the bottom of the falls. You will then take a hike to the top of the falls to enjoy the grandeur of Murchison Falls National Park. Day 3: After breakfast, proceed to Ziwa Rhino
Sanctuary where you will learn more about conservation of these beautiful endangered species. Proceed to Kampala.
KIBALE NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for the park. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Fort portal including the Tooro Palace. Day 2: Enjoy a morning chimp trek and spend something with these fascinating animals. In the afternoon enjoy a community walk with the local KAFRED community. Day 3: Visit Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru for a cultural experience and hike the surrounding hill for exquisite views of Fort Portal. Return to Kampala
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for the park located in Mbarara. Enroute, have a stop at Buwama Crocodile Farm for a tour and refreshments. Proceed to the park. Enjoy an evening boat ride.Day 2: Enjoy a morning game drive to view the animals that inhabit the park. In the afternoon, enjoy a nature walk within the park. Day 3: Go for a morning game drive as you proceed out of the park. Enjoy a cultural visit at Igongon Cultural Museum to find out more about the local communities. Proceed back to Kampala.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST PARKDay 1: Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable forest park. Stop at the Igongo Cultural Museum for a tour and lunch. Proceed to the park and spend the rest of your day at leisure. Day 2: Early in the morning, you will trek the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. With a population of only 660, the gentle giants are a must-see when in Uganda.In the afternoon, you will take a community walk showing you how the locals are conserving the forest as well as benefiting from gorilla tourism. Crown the evening with a dance and drama performance from the Buhoma Community Orphans Group.Day 3: Enjoy a nature walk to through the forest to have one more feel of the mysteries it has to offer. Proceed to Kampala.
SSESE ISLANDS KALANGALADay 1: Depart for Entebbe and get on board the fully stocked Kalangala Ship. Enjoy the 3 hour cruise on Lake Victoria. Arrive at the Ssese Islands and check in to you hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.Day 2: Today you will have a morning nature walk. View the flora and fauna associated with the Island. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you will take quad Bile rides to explore more of the Island. End the day at the sandy beaches enjoying
swimming, beach games and camp fires. Day 3: Enjoy the 3 hour cruise back to Entebbe.
KABALE, LAKE BUNYONYIDay 1: Depart for Kabale town. Enroute stop at Great Lakes Museum Ntungamo for a tour and lunch. Proceed to the lake and spend the rest of your day at leisure. Day 2: Tour Kabale town. Learn more about the Bakiga and Batwa who inhabit the slopes of the Kigezi hills. You will then have a tour around lake Bunyonyi. Tour Punishment Island, The Upside-down Island and so much more. Enjoy swimming and water sports. Day 3: Visit Kisizi Falls and Museum for a cultural tour and learn more about the local. Proceed to Kampala.
3
8
9
Baits ready for a big catch.
Team celebrating a successful catch.
Wildquest
good fishingdullmommentOn this particular trip, we
went with Wild Frontier.
never a
By William Mutumba
Kampala is one of those strange
places that despite being a
green city, lacks green spaces
demarcated for recreational
purposes. It’s an oddity that bothers its
inhabitants, let alone the visitor that looks
out of the plane window expecting to be
met by green fields as she lands at Entebbe
international airport. There seems to be no
answer to this sad story until one discovers
one of the world’s largest play fields; the
majestic Lake Victoria itself!
This lake is one of the very few fresh water
bodies in the world that are still lonely
save for a lone canoe in the distance. Yet
it provides a sports fishing experience that
is hard to beat, seeing as its temperatures
are friendly all year around. And that is
exactly why I and five friends couldn’t help
but head out for a full-day sports-fishing
excursion. On this particular trip, we went
with Wild Frontiers, having been blown
away by the positive reviews about it in
different travel advisories.
As I write this, it is over three days since
we conquered the excursion. I couldn’t be
happier. Wild Frontiers’ two-man crew comprising a
boat captain and guide made sure we were well taken
care of from start to finish; but it was their reassuring
confidence that gave us the nuts and bolts for our
mission. Even better, the boat was well suited for deep
lake trolling. It was a speed boat, roughly between 18
& 30 feet (6-10 metres), powered by twin outboard
engines.The adventure started at Waterfront Beach in
Entebbe with us being taken through a briefing, with
an emphasis on safety and the DOs and DONTs of
the adventure. It was drizzling outside but that was
the least of our worries as the 12 seater-boat was
sheltered with waterproof roofs. That aside, the captain
had raincoats for everyone. Seeing as it was a full
day’s excursion, lunch was packed for us.
All through, the waves were calm. Seeing other boats
bob up and then out of sight was awesome.
To be honest, we didn’t expect to see much because
it was coming to noon when we got to fishing, yet
fish are mostly active in the morning hours. To our
astonishment though, after riding into deeper parts of
the lake for about one hour, our boat was surrounded
by lots of shy and elusive aquatic creatures. Photo
opportunities abounded and the guides always kept
us informed of what we were seeing while instructing
us on how to bait the biggest catch. They were really
patient instructors. This makes the activity feasible
even for first timers.
The artificial lures were a delicacy designed to attract
giant Tilapias and Nile perch. This heightened our
chances of walking away victorious. However, it would
take lots of minutes before landing on a good catch
(2 gigantic Nile Perches weighing over 15 kilograms
each). This victory was worth a huge celebration, like
a lottery win! Luckily, there were lots of beers on board
to cheer with. Did I say there was coffee too? Yes,
there was. Just was what we needed to recharge our
batteries, and more.
It was so refreshing to listen to the waves as they
gently rocked the boat. Truly relaxing to both the body
and the mind. I had gone to fish, that I knew. But little
did I know that by the end of the adventure, the lake
would have fished out the stress from me too.
David almost got sick mid-way the tour. Luckily, the
guides had first aid skills that are a notch above the
norm. Their tips on dealing with sea sickness actually
worked for him!!!
Beyond the fish, the activity was also an opportunity
to see lots of major attractions I didn’t know of; the
Island from which Entebbe got its name, one of the
arenas Buganda’s Kabaka routinely visits to appease
his ancestors, and then there was the Equator; one of
the few places in Africa where one can be at both the
Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time.
How cool is that?
Baits being well places.
12
Baits ready for a big catch.
Team celebrating a successful catch.
Wildquest
easy to hikearound
Uganda
hills/mountains
By Solomon Oleny
The festive season is here, why not head out for a hiking encounter that will leave you with tears of joy. Here are some recommendations
across Uganda. The one thing they share in common is that they are full of jaw-dropping sceneries and gentle gradients. This makes summiting them possible even for those in the afternoon hours of their lives.
Mountain Muhavura At an altitude ranging from 2,227m and 4,127m, Mghahinga is a visual masterpiece soaring high in the clouds. It has three summits that will catch your eye and carry you into endless vastness of the sky. Looking at them from a far, you are
bound to think they offer the same hiking experiences as they are all have a pyramid shape. Make no mistake, they don’t! And no, there can never be a better way to find out than hiking them all. As matter of fact, if you are looking to shade some weight the adventurous way, Muhavura is a perfect “gym”. Due to its steep gradient, it offers a hike that is sweaty, though climbing it is an assured way of feeling the alluring freshness of the mountain. At its top is a crater lake with a scenic beauty that revitalizes the inner most being. On the otherhand, Mountain Mghahinga is hard to miss, if you are looking to take a gentle hike to relax the mind and stretch the muscles. It takes the average hiker five hours to climb it and 2-3 to descend it. Ever wondered what it is like to be in three countries at the same time? If the answer
is Yes, Mt. Sabinyo is more than happy to make your dream come true.At its summit is a vantage point where the borders of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda unite in harmony. You can have one leg in Rwanda, the other in Congo, your hands in Uganda, and your heart in no man’s land.Kagulu HillYou can never know Kamuli District is truly paradise unless you have had a bird’s view of it from Kagulu Hill’s towering summit. And that is where a two hours hiking challenge comes in. It has a clear trail that best suits the kind of traveler who likes pleasure without pain. It overlooks a peaceful green village, vast blue rivers and Lake Kyoga. This trail is to be experienced, lived, savored. It will not disappoint, no! The thing that lures the most is that it has concrete steps. This provides an experience that is easy to tame. Kagulu is believed to be the first point the Basoga settled in—following their secession from Bunyoro Kingdom in around the 17th Century.
Mountain RwenzoriIt is not a must that everyone who goes to Rwenzori must hike it all the way to its highest summit. For that, the mountain has one to three days hiking trails for the kind of adventurer who wants to just have a good time in the jungle. In general, they offer more of a mental challenge than physical one. It is effortless easy to explore them thanks to the many bridges and ladders that had been erected over their impassable features like rivers. There are guides and porters to help out whenever need be, however, you could also complete it without any support. All one needs is a compass and a map of the park.What to know?Rwenzori has two main trails in the above regard, Rwenzori Central Circuit and Kilembe Trail. The former is for budget clients and the latter high end tourists. A day’s excursion will cost roughly $100 and $350 respectively. The fee covers for a full board excursion.
Baits being well places.
13
This trail is to be experienced, lived, savored.
Brovad Sands Lodge Ssese islands KalangalaBooking Office
Plot 1 Colville Street ,Communication House Ground Floor Shop No 4 P.O Box 9174,Kampala (U)Tel: +256 4144 237477 / +256 754640014 /+256 774334655
Email: [email protected] / [email protected] www.brovadsandslodge.com Facebook Page : Brovad Sands Lodge ssese islands Kalangala
This is a blissful, relaxing holiday beach resort tucked away on the charming Island of Bugala, Ssese Islands. Have your feel of fun, sun,
sand and adventure.
Luxury Accommodation facilities all self contained flat screen TV with DSTV,
shower, bath tab, wardrobe, sofa Swimming pool Free WIFI
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destinations in the world. View Uganda is highly committed to ensuring that the brand is consistently improved following your feedback. We have a vibrant Facebook page which we would like you to join, just in case you had not yet joined, https://www.facebook.com/Viewuganda/ it brings daily updates on the Uniqueness of Uganda, Entertainment events around the country, Special Accommodation and Dine- out Offers from our esteemed best- in- class Partners, we have an impressing and pocket- friendly, attractive packages to enable you have a comfortable travel around the country. Let us interact more through this channel or call us for more information.The View Uganda website is yet another informative channel that you should endeavour to visit regularly, www.viewuganda.ug. here you will be able to access our previous editions
of the View Uganda Magazines, View- towns around Uganda, view- National parks in Uganda and a lot more.In this edition of the View Uganda Magazine, we bring you an exciting exploration of the Sports fishing on Lake Victoria in Wild Quest, Nhenda hill of Fortunes – Busoga, Ekizino, the energetic Kigezi dance under culture, The Quest for spiritual health behind Kampala fellowships, Reviving the Art of African story telling in Lifestyle, Meet Africa’s biggest game reserve under around Africa plus many more articles.We wish you all an adventurous time as we take you through this great country via the View Uganda channels.
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Wildquest
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Uganda is fast becoming a preffered tourist destination due to its stability serenity and natural endowment as a country gifted by nature with high quality range of wildlife products offering an experience that is worth sharing.Uganda Wildlife Authority welcomes you to our protected areas that have rich product range, good infrastructure, telecomunication network, lodges and afforadable accommodation facilities that match your budgetary plans and expectations.
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Conserving for generations
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Wildquest
good fishingdullmommentOn this particular trip, we went with Wild Frontier.
never a
By William Mutumba
Kampala is one of those strange places that despite being a green city, lacks green spaces demarcated for recreational
purposes. It’s an oddity that bothers its inhabitants, let alone the visitor that looks out of the plane window expecting to be met by green fields as she lands at Entebbe international airport. There seems to be no answer to this sad story until one discovers one of the world’s largest play fields; the majestic Lake Victoria itself!
This lake is one of the very few fresh water bodies in the world that are still lonely save for a lone canoe in the distance. Yet it provides a sports fishing experience that is hard to beat, seeing as its temperatures are friendly all year around. And that is exactly why I and five friends couldn’t help but head out for a full-day sports-fishing excursion. On this particular trip, we went with Wild Frontiers, having been blown away by the positive reviews about it in different travel advisories.
As I write this, it is over three days since we conquered the excursion. I couldn’t be
Baits into lake victoria
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A nile perch catch.
TeamTime to catch a fresh breath.
happier. Wild Frontiers’ two-man crew comprising a boat captain and guide made sure we were well taken care of from start to finish; but it was their reassuring confidence that gave us the nuts and bolts for our mission. Even better, the boat was well suited for deep lake trolling. It was a speed boat, roughly between 18 & 30 feet (6-10 metres), powered by twin outboard engines.The adventure started at Waterfront Beach in Entebbe with us being taken through a briefing, with an emphasis on safety and the DOs and DONTs of the adventure. It was drizzling outside but that was the least of our worries as the 12 seater-boat was sheltered with waterproof roofs. That aside, the captain had raincoats for everyone. Seeing as it was a full day’s excursion, lunch was packed for us.
All through, the waves were calm. Seeing other boats bob up and then out of sight was awesome. To be honest, we didn’t expect to see much because it was coming to noon when we got to fishing, yet fish are mostly active in the morning hours. To our astonishment though, after riding into deeper parts of the lake for about one hour, our boat was surrounded by lots of shy and elusive aquatic creatures. Photo opportunities abounded and the guides always kept us informed of what we were seeing while instructing us on how to bait the biggest catch. They were really patient instructors. This makes the activity feasible even for first timers.
The artificial lures were a delicacy designed to attract giant Tilapias and Nile perch. This heightened our chances of walking away victorious. however, it would take lots of minutes before landing on a good catch (2 gigantic Nile Perches weighing over 15 kilograms each). This victory was worth a huge celebration, like a lottery win! Luckily, there were lots of beers on board to cheer with. Did I say there was coffee too? Yes, there was. Just was what we needed to recharge our batteries, and more.
It was so refreshing to listen to the waves as they gently rocked the boat. Truly relaxing to both the body and the mind. I had gone to fish, that I knew. But little did I know that by the end of the adventure, the lake would have fished out the stress from me too.
David almost got sick mid-way the tour. Luckily, the guides had first aid skills that are a notch above the norm. Their tips on dealing with sea sickness actually worked for him!!!
Beyond the fish, the activity was also an opportunity to see lots of major attractions I didn’t know of; the Island from which Entebbe got its name, one of the arenas Buganda’s Kabaka routinely visits to appease his ancestors, and then there was the Equator; one of the few places in Africa where one can be at both the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time. how cool is that?
Wildquest
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Given the above background, I highly recommend this activity, especially for family bonding or team building.
What to know:The adventure takes place all year except for the rainy months like April and May. In compliance to the philosophy of conservation, the activity is subject to the catch and
release policy. While a half-day fishing excursion costs $ 125, a full day can also cost $ 125 if there are 4 people in a boat. The mentioned rates apply to international tourists. East Africans get special discounted rates.
For details, visit http://wildfrontiers.co.ug or call 0772870354.
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Wildquest
easy to hikearound
Uganda
hills/mountains
By Solomon Oleny
The festive season is here, why not head out for a hiking encounter that will leave you with tears of joy. here are some recommendations
across Uganda. The one thing they share in common is that they are full of jaw-dropping sceneries and gentle gradients. This makes summiting them possible even for those in the afternoon hours of their lives.
Mountain Muhavura At an altitude ranging from 2,227m and 4,127m, Mghahinga is a visual masterpiece soaring high in the clouds. It has three summits that will catch your eye and carry you into endless vastness of the sky. Looking at them from a far, you are
bound to think they offer the same hiking experiences as they are all have a pyramid shape. Make no mistake, they don’t! And no, there can never be a better way to find out than hiking them all. As matter of fact, if you are looking to shade some weight the adventurous way, Muhavura is a perfect “gym”. Due to its steep gradient, it offers a hike that is sweaty, though climbing it is an assured way of feeling the alluring freshness of the mountain. At its top is a crater lake with a scenic beauty that revitalizes the inner most being. On the otherhand, Mountain Mghahinga is hard to miss, if you are looking to take a gentle hike to relax the mind and stretch the muscles. It takes the average hiker five hours to climb it and 2-3 to descend it. Ever wondered what it is like to be in three countries at the same time? If the answer
Mugahinga scenery
This trail is to be experienced, lived, savored.
Wanale hill.
Climbing Kagulu hill
is Yes, Mt. Sabinyo is more than happy to make your dream come true.At its summit is a vantage point where the borders of congo, Uganda and Rwanda unite in harmony. You can have one leg in Rwanda, the other in congo, your hands in Uganda, and your heart in no man’s land.Kagulu HillYou can never know Kamuli District is truly paradise unless you have had a bird’s view of it from Kagulu hill’s towering summit. And that is where a two hours hiking challenge comes in. It has a clear trail that best suits the kind of traveler who likes pleasure without pain. It overlooks a peaceful green village, vast blue rivers and Lake Kyoga. This trail is to be experienced, lived, savored. It will not disappoint, no! The thing that lures the most is that it has concrete steps. This provides an experience that is easy to tame. Kagulu is believed to be the first point the Basoga settled in—following their secession from Bunyoro Kingdom in around the 17th century.
Mountain RwenzoriIt is not a must that everyone who goes to Rwenzori must hike it all the way to its highest summit. For that, the mountain has one to three days hiking trails for the kind of adventurer who wants to just have a good time in the jungle. In general, they offer more of a mental challenge than physical one. It is effortless easy to explore them thanks to the many bridges and ladders that had been erected over their impassable features like rivers. There are guides and porters to help out whenever need be, however, you could also complete it without any support. All one needs is a compass and a map of the park.What to know?Rwenzori has two main trails in the above regard, Rwenzori central circuit and Kilembe Trail. The former is for budget clients and the latter high end tourists. A day’s excursion will cost roughly $100 and $350 respectively. The fee covers for a full board excursion.
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Wildquest
Got NgettaThanks to its location in a semi-arid setting, the weather at Lira’s Got Ngetta hill is not punishingly cold. This will lessen your vulnerability to altitude sickness. Located in Ngetta, a rocky zone in the outer edge of Lira town, Ngetta is a magnificent solid rock standing at about 4,500ft above sea level.As you beat its hiking challenge, you will encounter several monkeys and birds. The natural attraction boasts of over 50 recorded butterfly species. Legend has it that around the 16th century, the present day tribes of Teso, Karamojong, Acholi, Langi’s Kumams and Japhadola all belonged descended from this hill. The best part of the story is that hiking it is free, like most of the other hills on this list.
Wanele HillWanale is that hill with jagged slopes, located in the outskirts of Mbale Town and yes, it is from it that the town got its name. It is a grass green mountain that soars into the clear blue skies. A visit to this place will leave you with immense respect for this hilly land upon whose soils Uganda’s favourite coffee is grown. Arabica is its name, an enchanting beverage with a crisp, sharp and pleasant aroma. Like Elgon, a Mountain to which Wa nale belongs, its sheer size, clear waters, and green vegetation make it way better than any theme park. That is why I call it paradise. But as is typical of paradise, it’s towering summit is not easy to reach. Only those who are patient enough to endure a two hours’ hike get to experience the champagne panoramic views it offers. From the bottom, Mbale looks very well
planned and organized. however, from the top, the town looks like a beautiful mess. It looks busy and crammed with buildings. It is surrounded by virgin swamps and farmlands.
Mountain MorotoIn contrast to the tradition that higher one climbs the cooler it becomes, the temperatures start to rise as you ascend Mountain Moroto, one of the highest Mountains in Karamoja(10115 ft above sea level). This makes scaling its serrated edges fun. There isn’t much to see here in terms of scenery. Much of its trail is walled by a thick concentration of vegetation that blocks visibility across. This doesn’t translate into boredom though. The guides here are really funny storytellers with heaps of jokes. The bad news is that the Mountain is not safe for tourism at the moment. The locals are hostile following NFA’s alleged sale off of the forest zone of their mountain to some timber dealing investor. In other words, you can visit it some other time for a belated holiday celebration.
Hiking TipsMountaineering is largely about attitude. If you go with a negative attitude, you will get knocked off very easily. Go with a positive mindset and I guarantee you, the results will be impressive. Be sure to drink enough water as you ascend. It goes a long way in helping you acclimatize. June is a rainy season in Uganda. If hiking in this month, warm clothing and a boot with good treads are a must-have.
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Mt. Muhavura
Celebrating atop Kaguli hill
Crossing a foot bridgr at Mt. Rwenziri
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Culture
Ibrahim Kitaulwa
Busoga Kingdom has over 350 clans most of which claim to have originated from Bunyoro Kingdom. One such clan is the Igaga clan,
the biggest in the Kingdom under a single cultural leader, the Igaga.The first Igaga, Prince Byaruhanga, migrated from Bunyoro, crossed Koki chiefdom of Kamuswaga, sailed onL. Victoria and landed in the current forest of Kityerera, around 1350. he
moved to Bukowe hill in Bugweri chiefdom, sighted the Nhenda hill and settled there. he produced children one of whom, Mutamba (Kawanguzi), migrated and founded the Busiki chiefdom.chief Byaruhanga established the first administrative unit in the Busoga Kingdom, the Busambira. With the headquarters located on the Nhenda hill, it became the dispersal area for the clan. To date, the hill is used by traditionalist and moderate religious people, for meditation and worship.
Busoga-Nhendahillof fortunesThe Igaga clan
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Nhenda hill, just a 15 minutes drive from Iganga town, overlooks Busoga; from it, one can sight Jinja and Kagulu hill far in North of Busoga. At its top there are two water reservoirs believed to give fortune and answered prayers to people who bathe in them or who sprinkle themselves with the water. Mzee Kisubi Fredrick, the clan elder, asserts that “at one time the region was very dry, hot and dusty. I went on the hilltop and prayed for rain, and rain got me on the way back.”The Igaga clan is proud that three quarters of the nation’s Busoga political leaders are either of the Igaga clan or their distant offspring, a fortune given by Nhenda hill. Some of the Igaga leaders are the National Speaker, Rt, hon. Kadaga Rebecca, and the Deputy Prime minister of the Busoga Kingdom, Owek. Dr. Lubega, to mention but a few.It is also claimed that the first agreement with the colonial masters in Uganda, around 1887, was made here and in 1932, the colonial government built a rest camp that
exists up to today.Upon a visit to the hill, one will witness true Kisoga culture; one will watch ancient worship, taste traditional foods and learn about local medicines (all the plants on the hill are said to be medicinal). Traditional music and dances for entertainment on the hill can be arranged upon prior booking. The hill is also rich in bird life, flora and fauna. It is very good for both holiday camping and picnics.From the source of the Nile, it is a one-hour drive to Nhenda via Iganga town. Kigulu cultural Museum is close by and Nhenda is a 2 hour’s drive from Kagulu hill. Affordable accommodation can be sought at Mum resort. Alternatives like hotel continental and Mwana highway hotels can be found in Iganga town.
Contacts: +256752049839 or +256782714955
Contact us on: 0312-299 788/ 0752-691 258 Web: chezjohnsonhotels.comContact us on: 0312-299 788/ 0752-691 258 Web: chezjohnsonhotels.com
La-Grande Chez Johnson Hotel MuyengaLa-Grande Chez Johnson Hotel MuyengaLa-Grande Chez Johnson Hotel MuyengaPersonalized and friendly servicesReal value for moneyLaundry and telephone servicesBar and restaurantConference facilitiesAll rooms connected to satellite TV and wireless internet
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Culture
Busoga Royalpalace
Igenge
It is a magnificent structure of modern architecture, with 11 master bedrooms, one for each of the 11 chiefdom heads, and a conference room for their discussions. The
palace depicts the true picture of the Busoga Kingdom motto, “Busoga Okwisanhia N’amaani” (Unity is strength). Busoga Kingdom is a unique monarchy, because while the chiefdoms are hereditary the King’s (Kyabazinga’s) seat is elective! This explains why there are 11 master bedrooms; their ownership can be traced from the migrations of the royal princes from Bunyoro.The Bunyoro-Kitara Empire was the
strongest in the interlacustrine region but was characterized by succession disputes. Overpowered princes had to run away and most of them landed in Busoga, between the 14th and 17th century.Okaali was the first to arrive in Busoga; he founded the Bukhooli chiefdom, under Wakhooli. his brother, Ibanda Nhiiro, who founded Kigulu chiefdom, under Ngobi, followed him. Inhensinko joined and founded Luuka chiefdom, under Tabingwa, followed by Wunhi who started the Bukono chiefdom, under Nkono. Ngambani came next and started the Bulamogi chiefdom, under Zibbondo, followed by Magoola who founded Bugweri chiefdom,
A glimpse of Busoga Kingdom
HRH William Nadiope Gabula IV waving to his people.
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Busoga Royal
under Menha-Kakaire. Ngobi Mawu moved in next and started Buzaaya (not a chiefdom) and the last was Kitimbo who landed at Iyingo around 1780 and founded Bugabula chiefdom, under Gabula. The current Kyabazinga (King) is a descendant of Kitimbo.All these chiefs and 4 others; Nanhumba of Bunha chiefdom, Kisiki of Busiki, Mukajanga of Bunhole and Ntembe of Butembe, were autonomous in their areas of jurisdiction until around 1919 when they (influenced by the colonial masters) agreed to have a King, a Kyabazinga of Busoga. They consented to having a royal palace where they could meet regularly and agree on a number of issues. hence the erection of the palace.Busoga was initially administered by the colonialists through Presidents and the first President of Busoga was Sir William Grant (British), between 1894 and 1906. The second President was Semei Kakungulu (Muganda) who was Busoga’s President from 1906 - 1913.The title of Kyabazinga was adopted much later in 1919 when chief Ezekiel Tenywa Wako became the first Kyabazinga of Busoga in 1919. he ruled till 1949. The second Kyabazinga was Sir William Wilberforce Nadiope who reigned twice; 1949 - 1955 and 1962 - 1966. The third Kyabazinga was henry Wako Muloki who reigned also twice; 1956 - 1962 and 1991 -2008. The current Kyabazinga,
hRh William Nadiope Gabula IV, is the fourth Kyabazinga.In order of precedence, we have the Kyabazinga as the Supreme head of the Kingdom. The Kyabazinga is followed by The chief Royals council (a council of the hereditary chiefs of the 10 hereditary chiefdoms of Kigulu, Busiki, Luuka, Bunyole, Bunya, Bukono, Bukooli, Bulamogi, Butembe and Bugweri). Then follows the Busoga Lukiiko which acts as the Parliament of Busoga, then follows the clan heads (Busoga is estimated to have 352 clans) and at the bottom of the pyramid are the people of Busoga, estimated to be 3.4 millionOn a tour of Busoga land, one will find a different albeit slightly related cultures in each chiefdom; from traditional foods, to medicine, ware, worship, ancient tools, religious martyrdom sites, social life and many other cultural and tourist sites, not forgetting Birding. “In tourism, Busoga has it all,” stated by the Kingdom Minister for tourism, Owekitiibwa Namutamba hellen Alga.The Kingdom is proud to have the source of the Nile, L. Victoria, Kagulu, Iyingo, Igenge, Nhenda, Bukowe, Bubbala and Busoga hills and many different types of traditional music and cultural dances. In addition, water bodies surround Busoga Kingdom: L. Victoria, Mpologoma River, L. Kyoga and R. Nile.
The Igenge Royal palace.
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Culture
Ekizinothe energeticKigezidanceThey proudly call their own traditional form of entertainment By Job Namanya
Have you ever visited Kigezi region? If so, I hope you chanced upon an energetic dance performed by the locals. With a lot of vigor and energy, the Banyakigezi will give
you a once in a lifetime treat that will live on in your memory.
The dance known as “Ekizino,” is one they proudly call their own traditional form of enter-
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the energetic
tainment. According to Levi Bigirimana, the direc-tor of Abakindamondo cultural Performers, this historical dance was in the past associated with important societal functions: “Whenever people had events like giveaways or weddings, they would dance with happiness and joy for the achieve-ments.” Important messages were also passed on through some of these performances. “Messages of encouragement and inspiration entrenched in these songs were of great value to the audience. A girl who was getting married for example, would be counseled on how to handle her new life, through
some of these songs,” adds Bigirimana.Nelson Twakiire, a cultural promoter in the region, says the nature of the Ekizino dance is also repre-sentative of the energy and hard work of the Ban-yakigezi. “Ekizino would be danced during harvest time when people were celebrating the fruit of their labour. After an efficacious harvest of sorghum, one would prepare local brew then invite friends and family members to his home. After eating and drinking, they would immediately start the energet-ic dance as a sign of appreciation,” says Twakiire. After a successful hunt, locals would also find it
Ekizino Traditional dancers at a show.
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Culture
hard to avoid this interesting dance. “In the past, Kigezi was a bushy land with a lot of animals. Whenever they hunted one down, they slaughtered it and ate it, and then would find themselves in a mood of dancing. Banyakigezi are strong farmers and they use a lot of energy in whichever endeavors they undertake. So danc-ing with a lot of energy is also part of what defines us. If you cannot dance with vigor then you are not a real Munyakigezi,” says Twakiire.
79-year-old Andrew Baryampika, the director of Kigezi cultural Dancers, asserts that for a successful per-formance of Ekizino, the props and costumes of traditional times must be respected. “Traditional drums, hides and skins were part of what was expected to be used in danc-ing Ekizino. If you do not have this then you are dancing to something else,” says Baryampika. Baryampika adds that Ekizino can be performed by all ages as long as they are well groomed to exercise it. “Even young people who grew up seeing their parents dance Ekizino kept learning how to do it until they perfected their performance.”
On the flip side, it is difficult to determine how much longer the Ek-izino will survive, because it is being replaced by modern dances. The elders believe that if the government empowered cultural conservation, some of these valuable historical performances would not die out. “There is a great need to support ex-isting traditional groups and muse-ums so that some of these historical cultures are keep intact. If we keep losing such invaluable aspects of our livelihood, our heritage and pride will die,” says Buryampika.
currently, Ekizino can be experi-enced by hiring a traditional dance group. Most of them charge about 300,000 UGX for a day’s perfor-mance, in Kigezi. Tourists who visit the region can get a feel of these dances on request, to their tour guides, or through any chance invitations to events like introduction ceremonies, that have traditional dance performances. The next time you visit Kigezi region consider seeking out the Ekizino dance.
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KaramojaMuseum
By View Uganda
TMoroto is home to Karamoja Museum, a wonderland that gives a deep insight into what the world was like before man was born. however, if looks are
anything to go by, one would be forgiven for omitting a visit to this museum from their to-do-list. On the outside, it looks just like an ordinary two bedroomed rental house. What’s more, it seems like forever since it received a fresh coat of paint; the little that is there is peeling off, giving the building a not very inviting look. There is nothing fancy about the facility whose construction was spearheaded by the
French Government. But its inside is the exact opposite. It boasts of archeological findings that no amount of money can buy. Most of its fossil exhibits are over 3 million years old. They were mostly exhumed from mountains in the Karamoja region where they were buried as a result of volcanicity. They include teeth of the oldest known fossil monkey in the world, which lived 19-20 million years back. Victoriapithecus macinneni is it’s its name. It was roughly the size of a ververt monkey. Despite its aesthetic challenges, a visit to Karamoja museum will be much worth your while.
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Front view of the Karamoja Museum.
Culture
Fossils on display.
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Culture
Mujaguzo Ku NgomaBuganda’s
the palaceof
Andrew Kagwa
Setting out to visit the Kampala slum called Mujaguzo Ku Ngoma in Kabowa in Ndeba, can be a daunting task.
Right from the city center, you will be amazed by the huge number of people that have no idea what you are talking about when you ask for directions. They imagine the place doesn’t exist. Yet only minutes after the Kabaka’s palace and lake, amidst the dusty roads in Ndeba, lies this vast land property that was in the past known as Ettaka Ly’Engoma where the special house/palace of the royal drums is
erected.Music was very important in the Buganda kingdom, not just for entertainment but even for communication. For instance, songs like Gwanga Mujje and Sagala Agalamidde were used to invite the community to action. Daniel Kimoomera Mukasa, a custodian at Kabowa ku Mujaguzo, says music was vital in the palace and thus was the presence of all the assigned instrumentalists. he narrates how there was always a different sound played for a particular event or time of day.Kimoomera is a title given to custodians at Mujaguzo ku Ngoma.
royal drums
HRH the Kabaka of Buganda with Vice President getting ready for the royal drums
Unlike the prime minister who is chosen by the Kabaka, this title is hereditary and is only held by people from the Butiko clan.The common story going round is that Mujaguzo is the biggest drum in the palace and is usually hit by the Kabaka on celebrations. however, Kimoomera asserts that the public has got this fact wrong; “Mujaguzo is the group of royal drums, it’s not just a lone drum.” Mujaguzo is the collection that comprises Entenga, Entamivu, Namanyonyi and Kawulugumu among other drums that were common in the palace. “Of course some of the drums were destroyed especially in the years when the kingdom had been abolished but the major ones still exist,” Kimoomera says.Entenga and Entamivu are some of the sounds that suffered over the years; they have barely gone quiet, because of their significance . Entenga is a set of fifteen pentatonic drums with twelve of them tuned to the notes of a xylophone. Thus in a full song played on the drums, one can experience the percussion, bass, rhythms and multiple melodies across its six players .Because of Buganda’s strong belief in power that is inherent in the drum, Mujaguzo is considered a king and thus can never spend a night in the same palace as the Kabaka; because a palace can’t have two kings at the same time overnight.Kimoomera says Mujagozo’s palace was originally located next to the Kabaka’s palace in Lubaga, in the area that currently hosts the catholic church cathedral. however, when Mutesa I gave out the lands to the catholic church, the palace was relocated to Mengo and the drums’ palace have now ended up in Kabowa in Ndeba, which was once a forest. According to Kimomera, the land was kept as a forest with just two houses for a really long time; that’s how it was saved from destruction during the 1966 crisis; “The area was a very
big garden with only two houses in the middle. During the crisis, Obote’s army was looking for things associated with the Kingdom but they couldn’t get to those houses.” Mujaguzo has since survived many other political and social crises that have come and gone in Uganda, despite sometimes finding Buganda in the middle of the crisis. much it is far from the glory of playing host to the royal drums, the history is still intact especially with people like Kimomera the current custodian.The house that keeps the Kawulugumu drum is of utmost importantance. In case a new kabaka is to be coronated, it’s in this house that the first ceremonies occur. Apparently, the old Kawulugumu is stripped of its skin and replaced with a new one to signify that the old drum (kabaka) is gone and a new one has been enthroned. The ceremonies end with the new kabaka hitting Kawulugumu for the first time; “By the time he goes to Nagalabi, he’s a complete king.”Despite the rich history and numerous years after Buganda kingdom was restored, many things have gone wrong from within. The general Kabowa area doesn’t befit the majesty Kimoomera describes. In fact the two houses that keep the drums are squeezed within a fast growing slum. It’s said officials from the kingdom were behind the massive sale that reduced the once glorious palace to a compound sharing a fence with an old garage at the rear end, and a car parking on the other side.With many decisions of the kingdom veering away from culture, the likes of Kimoomera can only hope places like Kabowa will not be forgotten, being reduced to a mere myth for the generations ahead.
The Kabaka playing the royal drum
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Q: What prompted the classification of hotels?
A. One of Uganda’s biggest aspirations is
to be a top destination for Meetings Incentives, conferencing and Events. This can best be achieved if our hotels are competitive enough, and thus the need to grade them. classifying our hotels will go a long way in attracting both tourists and investors.
Q: What role is UHOA playing in this grading?
A. Our main role is sensitizing and encouraging hotels to up the standards of their services and features as they await UTB to gauge whether they measure up to the respective hierarchies which they claim they are worth. We also arbitrate in cases where our members feel they’ve been ranked poorly.
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Ms Jean Byamugisha, The CEO , Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association ( UHOA)
Healthy exchange
A key aspect of any country’s hospitality industry is the quality of its hotels. In this regard, Uganda hotel Owners Association (UhOA) in partnership with Uganda Tourism Board and East African Business council is currently working on the clas-sification of hotels across the country. View Uganda explores more in this interview with Jean Byamugisha, chief Executive Officer of UhOA, a trade and lobbying or-ganization, whose membership comprises a vast range of hotels, lodges, motels, B&Bs, inns and camps.
UgandaHotel owners
Association
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Q: What qualities/parameters are being used to grade hotels and how far have you gone so far?
A. For starters, the exercise is totally free of charge. There are 16 main parameters being used. The key ones are; location of the hotel, accessibility of the hotel’s facilities by people with special needs like PWDs, whether they are insured, whether they have valid working licenses and occupational permits, safety measures they have put in place and their impact on the immediate environment.
Q: Compared to its neighbors, especially Kenya and Tanzania, most of Uganda’s hotels do not seem to measure up to the respective ranks that UTB has awarded them so far. Most of the hotels that have been ranked five star in Kampala are actually worth a 4 or 3 star ranking in the view of many customers. Why is it so? Were the officials entrusted with the project compromised?
A. No we weren’t compromised. The problem is much bigger than that. In a bid to make the grading systems effective, East African Business council, our apex organization in this exercise, trained tourism staff from each of the five countries. The plan was for each of these countries to rate and counter rate each other starting in 2013. This didn’t come to pass primarily due to limited funding. At the end of the day, each of the countries were left to rate their own hotels, and of course this came
with its share of complications and biases, resulting in poor grading of hotels.
Q: Uganda has over 2000 hotels, 450+ of which are your members. Less than 100 hotels have been upgraded since the exercise was started three years back by the quality assurance department of the Uganda Tourism Board. Any reasons for this situation?
A: I agree, 100 is quite a small development for such a long period of time. however, there are reasons for this. Like any other project in its infant stages, this project is faced with a couple of challenges, especially limitations in funding. This has slowed down UTB’s operations.
Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing most hotels around the country and what do you think is the fundamental solution to it?
A: While most staff serving Uganda’s hotels are educated, they haven’t undergone the much needed relevant capacity building. Training staff to international standards is such an expensive venture because it entails seeking expertise from neighboring hospitality schools, like UTALI in Kenya. This setback can be addressed by upgrading the quality of education being offered at Uganda’s only hotel institute at the moment, the hotel and Tourism Training Institute in Jinja.
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Zoey the story teller.
Life style
Reviving the art ofAfrican Story
sessionBy Andrew Kaggwa“If we don’t tell the African story, Africa will disappear,” the words of Ousmane Sembene, the father of African cinema, open the documentary Sembene which celebrates the legacy of the storyteller.Much as the formats of telling an African story have since evolved thanks to people like film maker Sembene, author Ngugi W’a Thiongo, and playwright and poet Wole Soyinka, today, in 2017, some people still feel the need to revive the traditional and innocent storytelling that used to happen around the fire place.She Zoey says that traditional storytelling in Africa is something that started long ago with the stone man around the fire. With time, people in the ancient days were telling stories in various ways. “They would do it in all forms, oral, painting, warriors would sing songs about the battles they won and how they won them,”
she says.Zoey She says that there’s a need to revive storytelling especially if Africa has to archive her heritage and traditions. “If we don’t tell these stories, Africa may stunt; Africa survives at the foundation of her stories,” she says.Born Janat Kyazzike, Zoey has been telling stories since she was a child. Back then, they would do it as a family and at different school competitions. It was only in 2012 that she took on the art professionally. “See, people may not understand this but one day at campus, God told me that that is where I would earn money from, this is what I was meant to do,” she says adding that pursuing storytelling for her is more like a calling. She has done a number of corporate jobs but never found them as fulfilling as she found storytelling when she took it on.Using gestures, signs and her native lingo, Lugwere from Eastern Uganda, Zoey usually
African Story
A story telling session
tells a story about love, family, leadership but above all, African unity. “What I am mostly interested in is exposing the African culture through folk stories. Even if someone asked me to perform about something else I will end up taking it to that direction.”Much as it looks like an art of standing and talking to people, Zoey reveals that it takes more than that to have an impact with the performances. For instance, the way she performs for children will not be the same way she will deliver to adults. “For children, there’s some content you can’t include and it altogether differs,” she says adding that the type of audience usually determines the energy of the performer but it only plays out depending on whether they are children or adults; “If I am performing for people of different cultures, nothing changes.”Storytelling in the centuries before was a powerful tool that didn’t only entertain but also passed down norms and culture, with stories about legends like Kintu and Nambi. They
drove messages about creation, birth and death while in proverbs like ‘If you want to go fast, Go alone. If you want to go far, go together,’ they seemed to reinstate lessons for daily community harmony like the importance of working as a team.In his single Namukwakula, folklore artist Giovanni Kiyingi talks about the demise of storytelling by noting that our culture was infested by foreign influence thus robbing us of things that made us African; “Today, people have taken on foreign cultures to an extent that they think theirs are backward,” he says.Today, even with Zoey and friends trying to revive the original art, she claims she’s not static but rather moves with the times; her performances marry folklore music and poetry to bring the art up to date.The fusion seems to be working since Zoey is one of the contemporary in-demand performers that has graced Laba art festival, Fete De La Musique, Nteredde Documentary Showcase and A Ka Dope Weekend,
a festivity that tends to celebrate art that’s not very conventional.But even when she seems to be doing well with the art, she reveals that people are not so ready for an art that takes them to a place they don’t want to be at; “Ugandans like to be like the people they see on TV, thus they are still afraid of a performance they think is taking them to what they think is backward.”Kagimu Joshua, also known as Rap Poet, says that storytelling and poetry are swiftly getting an audience willing to consume the art. “There are people that are consuming the art, problem is that many of them like the English kind which is like poetry, they are yet to adapt to those performing in the local languages.”
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Life style
Friends taking a selfie at a festival
Bayimba InternationalFestival
of the Arts
Almost the most famous arts event in the country, Bayimba is credited for opening the arts market up to Ugandans. This September, in the third week
as usual, the festival will be celebrating ten years since they started rocking the arts scenes. Even with a variety of
art disciplines, the public usually pays more attention to what happens on the music stages and it’s not so different this time round. Acts like Haka Mukiga, Makadem, Apio Moro, Maurice Kirya and Coopy Bly have since been announced as performers.
Festivals not to miss in Uganda.Uganda may not be anywhere close to Edinburgh when it comes to hosting festivals, but we can’t ignore the fact that the mood of celebrating our heritage is fast catching up.For instance in the past two years, those that celebrate the arts have added festivities like Nyege Nyege, Tuzinne Festival, Kampala International Documentary Film Festival, Stone Fest Music and Arts Festival and Kampala International Short Film Festival among others. It’s probably because of the increasing numbers of festivals that many organizers have started venturing way out of Kampala in search of alternative venues.As we get into the busiest season of the art industry this year, we present to you those festi-vals that you should look out for.
Madox in Nyegenyege
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Bayimba International
Uganda Film Festivalcommonly known among film makers as UFF, it is a government initiative sponsored through their Uganda communication commission (Ucc) arm. The festival has in the past been happening in the third week of August but this year it will happen in the last week, and part of it will spill over into the first few days of September. The festival celebrates the art of telling stories through film by screening over a
hundred Ugandan fiction, documentaries, short films and animated films in cinemas across the country.The festival ends with a gala where the best films, actors and other contributors to the industry are awarded.
JamaFest East African FestivalIt’s an East African community festival that brings together cultures from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Southern Sudan. The festival
will be taking place at both the National Theatre and Kololo Independence Grounds in the second week of September.
Kampala Fashion WeekAbbreviated as KFW, this festival has positioned itself as the most anticipated fashion event in the nation, even ahead of the Abraynz Fashion Awards. Usually held at The Square, KFW brings together the best brains in Uganda’s fashion to showcase their progress, and at the same time ushers in newer talents through independent programmes like the Seed Show training where winners get a chance to showcase.
Kampala Capital City festivalOriginally created to celebrate fifty years of Uganda’s independence in 2012, the Kampala capital city Authority (KccA)-organized carnival has since grown into a calendar event that happens in the week ushering in the October 9 independence celebrations.The carnival gives Ugandans a chance to love and embrace the beauty that Kampala city is. During the festivities there’s a showcase of food, culture, music and of course beer and liquor.This year’s edition will be preceded by a charity concert that will be headlined by Tanzanian Bongo star Diamond Platinumz.
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Nyege Nyege was officially unveiled in 2015 as Uganda’s premiere camping festival. With over 80 performers on two stages, the first edition that took place in October
was all the festival needed to claim a place among the most anticipated events. It is happening from 1 – 3 September this year with over 200 acts, ranging from local to international performers.
But besides the music, Nyege Nyege is fast becoming the runaway festival; the place where people go to forget about their city struggles, by hiding in the confinements of the Nile Discovery beach gardens, where much of the action happens. The festival is famous for good food, abundant beer and liquor and of course, camping.
Life style
Nyege NyegeInternational
Festival
Eddie Grey
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Nyege NyegePearl Rhythm FestivalThis festival gives prominence to the Ugandan organic sound. Started by Susan Kerunen and her husband and music producer Jude Mugerwa, Pearl Rhythm brings together recognized and upcoming acts to form the show programme.Much as the main festival always happens in October, the initial activities start in May, giving new folklore acts a chance to showcase their music. The prior shows are referred to as the Pearl Rhythm Stage coach activations and many of the artistes from such showcases make the lineup for the main festival.
Kampala International Theatre Festival The only festival that celebrates the art of theatre; over the years, Kampala International Theatre Festival has introduced us to theatre productions from USA, Iraq, South Africa and France among others. It’s a top notch festival that calls for the best written scripts, play directing and costuming and yet remains minimalistic.The first shows used to take place at the National Theatre, but since 2016, the festival has since moved to Ndere center.
Milege World Music FestivalMilege is a camping festival that takes place at Entebbe Botanical gardens, but since many of the people that attend are from nearby and Kampala, there’s little camping activity.The festival brings together spoken word, poetry, storytelling and music.The three-day festival has in the past been graced by Rachel Magoola, Maddox Ssematimba, Mo Roots, Giovanni Kiyingi and the Undercover Brothers among other people.
Eddie Grey
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Life style
Michael Kitandajazz music
Michael Kitanda’s star started rising while he was still a veterinary
student at Makerere University. None of his classmates could have guessed that the baby-faced student was the guy doing corporate gigs, let alone being featured on stages of shows like the Jazz Safari. Today, he is one of the most highly rated jazz artistes gracing the scene, with songs like the Grooving Anthem. Sanyu FM’s Angella crystal Newman describes him as the guy to watch. Many other people including artistes like
violinist Emmanuel Zinda and Jose chameleone, have rated Kitanda highly. Born to Mr and Mrs Kalyowa 23 years ago, Kitanda’s music prowess was exposed during his childhood days in Omega Primary School, where he was part of the school band. Because his dad was a great fan of Jazz Music, Kitanda easily found himself playing the trumpet, and all the other instruments on set. All this wasn’t accidental; he comes from a musical family, seeing as his older brother Andrew Kagumba is a music professor at Makerere University. Later however,
Out to make
funky
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Micheal Kitanda with his brother Happy
Kyazze
Micheal Kitanda
Michael Kitandawhen Kitanda joined St. Joseph SS Nagalama, his commitment to music was almost effaced as the school gave more attention to academics and allowed very little time for co-curricular activities. In the six years he spent there, he played no instrument, even though his passion for music kept burning.During his senior six vacation, his passion caused him to join Kampala Music School, and he even joined a band that one of his teachers, chris Weigers had started. Kitanda still chose to play the trumpet. In fact, it took the insistent advice of Weigers for Kitanda to try out the saxophone, and as they say, the rest is history.he later left the band and joined Baximba Waves, under the guiding hand of music veteran Godfrey Lubulwa.With Baximba Waves, Kitanda says it was the first time he got the feel of performing jazz music, with monthly performances at the National Theatre and Sheraton hotel among other places. It wasn’t long before the group got booked for the biggest festival in the country, Bayimba International Festival of the Arts, in 2012. “It was the first time I was performing before such a huge audience,” he says.his talent later saw him play at the 2012 show by lawyer and musician, Oscar Kihika codenamed Oscar and Friends. This is when other bands started fishing for his touch in their performances; that’s the time he played for Qwela shortly after their saxophonist Brian Mugenyi joined code 9.he tells how his 2013 appearance at an Isaiah Katumwa concert will always stay with him. Being a little known performer, he took to the stage to start playing, and “Before I even started playing, I heard someone scream my name,”
he says, describing how terrific it was to be acknowledged at such a forum.Kitanda released his twelve track debut album Saxfaction, in 2014. Kitanda is not the only musician etching out his niche though. his brother happy Kyazze is also a prolific saxophonist whose style totally differs from that of Michael. “Kitanda is smooth with his ballads while Kyazze is kind of rough,” says a fan of the brothers.The two have often played together at the Qwela Junction: Sax Aces and a christmas special, where they took off some time to play a tribute to their late mother who lost a battle against cancer last year. The song ‘Twala’ appears on Kyazze’s debut album that will be released later this year, though for the junction, they performed it together. The two have since shared more stages together, for instance during the Pearl Rhythm Festival final show in 2016, Kitanda invited happy to join him in playing one of their songs.Today, Kitanda is one of the most sought after saxaphonists. he has contributed to music by artistes like Levixone, charmant Mushaga and Baximba Waves among others. his second album, Saxology, is different from his debut album, right from the sound to the production and points of view. he says he wants to debunk the popular belief that jazz music is boring; “I want people to dance to the music.”The debut single off the album, Shine, has influences of zouk and rumba yet his playing still maintains the jazzy feel we’ve always known him for. The song is easy to the ear and can easily invoke a mob flash kind of dance. Look out for more of his performances in jazz shows all over Kampala.
By Joseph Bahingwire
A strong part of christian growth is communion with like-minded believers because there are lots of blessings to be gotten through prayer and fellowshipping, which empower man with spiritual health. This appears to be the main reason lunch hour fellowships have taken Kampala by storm. They were introduced by Pentecostal churches targeting the corporate class, but have now been adopted by other religious sects.
The Muslim community has lunch time prayers in every mosque around the city between 1:00pm and 2:00pm, and the catholics in the city
centre usually attend lunch time prayers at christ the king church. The Anglican church is yet to fully embrace this but such prayers are sometimes arranged at Namirembe cathedral church and Nakasero church .
Lunch hour evangelism in Kampala is organised by christians who have taken up the responsibility of preaching to the public. This preaching is a positive response and an indication of commitment to the great commission of Jesus christ to his disciples; “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28; 19-20 RSV)
Many churches in Kampala
have scheduled lunch hour fellowships and prayer centres in the heart of the city because more and more people want to be prayed for and to speak to God irrespective of their busy schedules.
Pastor Yoweri Maganda, of Dove Freedom centre Maganjo, says prayer is the essence of spirituality. It affords a wonderful recreation of the body, mind and soul and brings in a form of complete satisfaction that nothing else can give. he says the peace that comes with prayer is of a unique nature; quite unimaginable, and in order to help people fellowship with the Lord, churches have scheduled lunch hour prayer
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Life style
The Quest forSpiritualhealth behind Kampala’s Lunch
Time Fellowships
A prayerful congregation
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sessions, more so to help the working class be able to seek spiritual health and wealth. This is echoed in 1st chronicles 16:23-31 that goes; “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’”
Among the pastors who hold lunch time fellowship prayers in the city centre are Pastor Irene Manjeri of Bethel healing church at Pride Theatre from 12:00pm to 4:00 pm, Bishop David Kiganda of christianity Focus centre, Pastor Tom Sembera , Apostle Katongole, Pastor John Mulinde of Trumpet centre church and Apostle Franklin Mondo Mugisha of Empowerment christian centre. “People are turning to God to solve their difficult problems such as marital distress, job insecurity, and relationships issues. Because they are usually busy with their work, they find lunch hour
fellowships more convenient,” says Andrew Kavuma a junior pastor at hope Deliverance church in Lubaga. he asserts that people have learnt that without God nothing is possible or worthwhile, for they have testimonies of rich people who die miserably, hence the need to seek spiritual wealth. “I normally attend lunch hour prayers to get empowerment and have a good day because in spiritual life God responds faster which we people in the corporate world desire,” says Mr. Brian Kimuli, a member of Miracle centre cathedral Lubaga. “When I praise and worship with other believers, I feel fulfilled and prayer keeps me focused. But I always make sure that I am back at my work station on time to keep a good relationship with my employer,” he adds.
Due to the current challenges facing the world many people feel rejected, disrespected and not loved in their communities. The desire to attain this has made many run to God because they believe it is only in church that they can feel loved and
respected. Ms Erinah Mugabi, a member of Watoto church Ntinda, says most of the believers fast for their prayers to be heard and attending fellowships empowers
them with spiritual strength and wealth. Ms Mugabi says whenever she attends lunch hour fellowships, she feels like a weight is lifted off of her shoulders and everything in her life runs smoothly including finances, relationships and her general happiness. She however says, their pastor ensures that the fellowship is strictly for one hour so that they can be at their places of work in time not to contradict with the on-job rules.
The amazing love and transforming power of God is what people can expect in fellowship centers at lunch hours, a new prayer trend in Kampala. Ms Moreen Kiconco spares an hour every day from 1:00pm to 2:00pm to attend the lunch hour service at christ the King church in Kampala central. She has done this for the last five years. Ms Kiconco says she also attends this service to stay close to her religious past. “I
grew up from a religious family
and attended only
The Lord reigns.
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Life style
Christ the King church Kampala one of the founders of lunch time prayers
religious based schools. To make sure I do not fall short of God’s grace I utilize the lunch hour to attend church services,” she says. Moreen tells me she can forego lunch or eat simple foods and snacks but cannot miss the lunch hour service unless she has a very tight deadline to meet, seeing as she works for a media house.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up,” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10), answered George Kalyango when asked why he attends lunch hour prayers at Namirembe cathedral in Lubaga. he says unlike in the Pentecostal churches lunch hour prayers are not an everyday occurrence at his church but whenever they are organised he has to attend so as to pray with people, pray for others and be prayed for, because joint prayers are often more effective than the efforts of just one. “We have seen their impact over the years through personal testimonies of healing and break through like finding jobs and promotions at work places, spiritual development and development of members who usually attend, and we are delighted to see that lunch hour
prayers have grown to this phenomenon across the different religious sects,” Mr. Kalyango adds.Nasser Ssemugabi usually leaves his desk at ten minutes to 1:00pm to attend prayers at Namuwongo mosque. he chose this mosque because it is near his work place, thus enabling him to utilize the one hour well and come back to work before the time allocated for lunch is over. “I work at Monitor Publications limited and we have two hours for lunch starting from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. This enables me to rush to the nearby mosques and come back to continue with my work. When I am too busy to rush to the mosques I can spend ten minutes praying to Allah even at my work place,” he says.
When you pray with other people during the lunch hour fellowship you witness God’s work in your life and in the lives of many through his word, testimonies, hymns, praise and worship. Don’t forget to attend one whenever you are in Kampala, the capital of the Pearl of Africa.
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44 VIEW UGANDA - ATTRACTIVE PACKAGES
The organizers choose the music acts so expertly, so delicately. They have, over the years, studied their target audience’s tastes and they speak their language.
Tulambule
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Suggested 3 days 2 nights tour packages at Queen Elizabeth National park
Life style
SUGGESTED 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS TOUR PACKAGESQUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park located in Kanunugu district. You can have a tour of the Buwama crocodile Farm and stop over at the equator for a photo opportunity. Proceed to the park and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the serenity of your environment.Day 2: Awake for an early
morning trek to view the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Kazinga channel viewing the wildlife as they come for a drinkDay 3. have an early morning game drive to view savanna animals. Proceed to Lake Katwe for a cultural tour on salt mining. Proceed back to Kampala.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for the park
located in Masindi town. Enjoy a game drive to the lodge. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Day 2: Enjoy a game drive to the Delta plains of the Nile. Watch out for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos lions and so much more. In the afternoon enjoy a cruise on the Nile to the bottom of the falls. You will then take a hike to the top of the falls to enjoy the grandeur of Murchison Falls National Park. Day 3: After breakfast, proceed to Ziwa Rhino
Murchison falls boat tour ride
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Sanctuary where you will learn more about conservation of these beautiful endangered species. Proceed to Kampala.
KIBALE NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for the park. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Fort portal including the Tooro Palace. Day 2: Enjoy a morning chimp trek and spend something with these fascinating animals. In the afternoon enjoy a community walk with the local KAFRED community. Day 3: Visit Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru for a cultural experience and hike the surrounding hill for exquisite views of Fort Portal. Return to Kampala
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARKDay 1: Depart for the park located in Mbarara. Enroute, have a stop at Buwama crocodile Farm for a tour and refreshments. Proceed to the park. Enjoy an evening boat ride.Day 2: Enjoy a morning game drive to view the animals that inhabit the park. In the afternoon, enjoy a nature walk within the park. Day 3: Go for a morning game drive as you proceed out of the park. Enjoy a cultural visit at Igongon cultural Museum to find out more about the local communities. Proceed back to Kampala.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST PARKDay 1: Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable forest park. Stop at the Igongo cultural Museum for a tour and lunch. Proceed to the park and spend the rest of your day at leisure. Day 2: Early in the morning, you will trek the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. With a population of only 660, the gentle giants are a must-see when in Uganda.In the afternoon, you will take a community walk showing you how the locals are conserving the forest as well as benefiting from gorilla tourism. crown the evening with a dance and drama performance from the Buhoma community Orphans Group.Day 3: Enjoy a nature walk to through the forest to have one more feel of the mysteries it has to offer. Proceed to Kampala.
SSESE ISLANDS KALANGALADay 1: Depart for Entebbe and get on board the fully stocked Kalangala Ship. Enjoy the 3 hour cruise on Lake Victoria. Arrive at the Ssese Islands and check in to you hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.Day 2: Today you will have a morning nature walk. View the flora and fauna associated with the Island. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you will take quad Bile rides to explore more of the Island. End the day at the sandy beaches enjoying
swimming, beach games and camp fires. Day 3: Enjoy the 3 hour cruise back to Entebbe.
KABALE, LAKE BUNYONYIDay 1: Depart for Kabale town. Enroute stop at Great Lakes Museum Ntungamo for a tour and lunch. Proceed to the lake and spend the rest of your day at leisure. Day 2: Tour Kabale town. Learn more about the Bakiga and Batwa who inhabit the slopes of the Kigezi hills. You will then have a tour around lake Bunyonyi. Tour Punishment Island, The Upside-down Island and so much more. Enjoy swimming and water sports. Day 3: Visit Kisizi Falls and Museum for a cultural tour and learn more about the local. Proceed to Kampala.
Around Africa
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By Solomon Oleny
In a peaceful setting in Southern Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve stretches out over the savanna terrains. It is an unspoiled wildlife sanctuary
where tourists are guaranteed encounters with Africa’s most admired animals, especially the Big Five. Its grasslands, wetlands and extensive bamboo
woodlands are full of diverse wildlife and undisturbed nature, and this is one of the things that sets it apart from other game reserves on the continent. It is a world heritage Site!!!In terms of size, it comes across as Africa’s biggest reserve, measuring over 50,000km2; roughly 12 times the size of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest reserve.
In between these Islands lie calm stretches of the Nile where one can take a dip or swim under the warming rays of the African Sun. By the time they come out, they will be washed of all their stress.
Meet AfricasGame Reserve
Biggest
Hippos at Selous game reserve.
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The fun it delivers is equally 12 times more, considering it is one of the most ecologically developed wildlife estates on the continent. It is also ‘developed’ with an endless list of classic safari lodges, most with champagne views and a rich African Tradition that cuts across from basic to 5 star accommodation. During this particular visit, Selous Serena camp stole my heart; I bet it will steal yours too when you step into this part of the world for a holiday or for your honeymoon. The menu at the restaurant lists reasonably priced food, given the high level of service and quality. The menu features
a variety of choice meals and vegetarian guests are also well catered for. My favorite picks were local dishes like ‘ugali’ and ‘nyama choma.’ Back to the park; if you are an animal lover, the Northern wing of the park will leave you with tears of joy. It is full of picturesque and animal-friendly encounters. On the other hand, its Southern wing is largely designated for sports hunting. Both sides of the park blossom with a renewing freshness that frees the mind of all work related and family stress. The best way to explore the park is by taking a nature walk in the company of a game
Majestic Zebra
A heard of elephants grazing
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An amazing sight of buffalos
ranger. This adventure off the beaten track will enable you to see lots of interesting species that keep off the tracks because they are naturally shy. One such is the East African Wild dog. If you have limited time though, you could opt for a game drive and later on take a boat cruise along the Rufigi River. It is a majestic freshwater river which flows into the Indian Ocean. The two tour types offer guaranteed ways of comparing ways in which the respective wildlife species differ. For instance, you will spot the differences between forest elephants and savannah elephants, and the difference between birds that thrive in water bodies and those that thrive in highlands.Regardless of how you choose to tour the reserve, you will have limitless encounters with large crashes of hippos, black rhinos, towers of Masai giraffes, zeals of plain zebras, schools of fish, murders of crows, and parades of elephants. A visit to Selous is incomplete without a stopover at the grave site of Sir
Frederick Selous, a famous early conservationist after whom the reserve is named.What you need to know:Selous is one the parks you can visit any time of the year because it has all-year-friendly weather. however, the dry season from June to October provide the most premium wildlife encounters.how to get thereThe fastest way to access Selous is by air means. If you are looking for a scenic route full of wow moments, then the Dar-Es-Salaam-Selous route will blow you away! The good news is that coastal Aviation (domestic airline) now flies there daily.
For details Visit www.selousgamereserve.net | If you desire adventurous packages, Selous Serena camp has you covered. You can reach their country manager, David Sem, on [email protected]
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By Solomon Oleny
Over the years, many hotel groups have opened up in East Africa but not stood the test of time.
They usually go wrong with areas like mismanagement, provision of low quality services and an inability to meet or foretell customer requirements. In contrast however, Serena is an international hospitality company that has beaten the odds and remained a first-option destination for many high-end travellers (since the 1970s). To get an accurate picture of what makes them tick; Solomon Oleny recently visited four of their properties in Tanzania where they have 10 hotels. These comprise safari lodges, beach front hotels and city hotels.
here are his findings in relation to what Uganda tour operators can do to strengthen their businesses. Establish operational structures that reduce staff turnoverThe bottom-line of creating a business is to achieve profit maximization – an objective best facilitated by rewarded, committed staff. Regrettably, most employers consider rewarding their employees as a “by-the-way”. This usually results in high staff turnover, and shoddy services from dispirited staff. Given that prevention is better than regret, Serena hotel has a structure which honours and rewards employees who have dedicated themselves to its sustainability and growth.Ellieta Mbisse manages two of their premium lodges found in Africa’s
Lessons fromSerena
hotels
Tanzania’s
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Serena Dar Es Salaam, one of the 10 properties of Serena in Tanzania
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biggest game reserve, Selous Game Reserve Tanzania. The lodges are; Mivumo River Lodge and Serena camp. chaulo joined Serena Group in the early 2000s as a waiter. Due to his dedication, the gent now in his early 40’s has risen through the ranks over the years. his life story being an example, he observes that it is typical for
most employees to work for Serena for over 10 years, and their hard work is not in vain. The staff get health benefits and community support. “This goes a long way in making them give their all when attending to clients... At the end of the day, the equation is a win-win for all the three parties involved; staff, management and clients,”
chaulo delights. Image and ReviewsIn the yesteryears, travellers used to rely on destination adverts to determine where to go for holiday. This isn’t the case anymore. Adverts are usually biased and do not give the accurate picture tourists need to make well informed decisions. Travellers now opt for
Guests dining at Serena Dar es salaam
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Travel Advisories like Trip Advisor and Safari Bookings, which publish reviews of clients who have been to the various destinations and hotels. While just a few of these reviews are biased, most are honest, and one bad review is powerful enough to interfere with client traffic that would have flowed to a particular hotel.Given this background, Serena gives ample attention to detail in its service provision to clients. In tricky situations, they are always very quick to make it up to him/her. For instance, if you were accidently served mutton yet you asked for beef, they would not only reconsider your order but also refund your money. Why wouldn’t a client recommend the hotel with a great review? If Ugandan eat-outs did the same, the rest as they say would be history.
Building one’s own business Vs buying an existing oneThere are two kinds of food lovers. The ones who believe cooking their own food is more beneficial than buying some from a restaurant (especially in terms of saving money), and those who reason that buying food from a restaurant is better (as it saves them time to do bigger things). Serena subscribes to the latter school of thought to expand their empire.According to Rosemary Mugambi, Serena’s Regional Sales and Marketing Director, experience has taught them that the latter option is much more profitable. Rather than start building a hotel from scratch, they usually buy off dying ones and retain their staff. Then they dedicate ample time to rebranding the new acquisition and training the inherited staff to international standards. It is only
As is typical of Serena, its property it
acquired in Zanzibar has a view worth
dying for
As is typical of Serena, its
property it ac-
quired in Zanzibar has a view worth dying
for .
when this phase is completed that they open business. “considering scenic views are one of the strongest points for hotels, we usually opt for buildings in the most remarkable vantage locations. This coupled with our high calibre of service naturally makes our hotels hard to resist,” she explains.The point here is that one doesn’t have to start from scratch if they desire to invest in Uganda’s tourism. They can acquire an existing business and still be able to pull things off.
SpecializeEveryone has something they are extremely good at, and something they really suck at. For instance, one might be a very good writer, but a terrible speaker; a good distiller but a chef whose produce almost tastes like food, and so on. In its foundational stages in the 1970s, Serena’s initial mission was to be a service provider of everything that relates to travel;- airlines, agriculture, interior design and the like. They didn’t continue down that path when they realised they were just gambling. They specialized in hoteling when they realised it was their strength. They have given it their all, gained lots of expertise and have now emerged as one of Tanzania’s most outstanding hotel brands. One of the avoidable mistakes that most Ugandan tour operators make is trying to be travel agents, hoteliers and safari company operators at the same time. A couple of times, they register considerable strides across the board. however, their businesses never graduate from SMEs to powerhouse status. Emulating Serena’s approach could go a long way in turning things around for them. PricingThere are three categories of travellers, classified according to their spending; the high end, mid-range and budget traveller. Uganda is among the African countries whose safari lodges mostly appeal to mid-range and budget travellers, who characteristically look for value for money, even though they don’t mind paying a
little extra comfort. Unfortunately most Ugandan safari lodges hike rates basing on the traffic they are receiving. The worst part is that most times their services do not measure up to the rates they set. Serena Tanzania does the opposite. According to David Sem, country Manager for Serena Tanzania, this explains why most of their facilities are fully booked for much of the year.
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By Kidron Nabende Googo
When you hear the word ‘mall’, the first thing that springs to mind
is a concrete jungle of sorts; crowded escalators and lots of stairs. Well, please think again next time you hear the word mall. There is a warm and little known welcoming getaway neatly tucked away along Ggaba road, that will give any connoisseur a run for their money. This establishment is a definite must-visit for anyone who genuinely appreciates life, style and taste. Be you a business traveler, a tourist or honeymooners looking
for an out-of-town intimate experience yet within the heart of the city, then Quality hill has you at the heart of their offering.Quality hill is simple yet elegant, clean, clandestine and conveniently situated. The eco-system of brands and service providers interspersed in the epic architecture of Quality hill Boutique Mall was specially crafted for the luxury and business traveler who loves contemporary living but at the same time values exclusivity and convenience with a touch of class.After all it is said that where style & comfort meet, elegance is permitted I mean, where else in Kampala can you find contemporary rustic
safari style lodging, a coffee lounge, a fine dining restaurant, conferencing facilities, a banking hall, a furniture/decor store and a winery plus crafts center all in the same vicinity! With a dedicated executive chef, a gourmet kitchen and a French bakery close by, you can be certain that all your breakfast recipes, pastries and portions will always be fresh. Needless to mention, all your meals will be equally rewarding. Did I mention the monthly bottomless brunch at Le chateau is the hottest event in town? If you’re the kind who is put off by uncontrolled crowds, just make an effort to drop by on any last Sunday of the month. You will be
Quality HillKampala’sbest kept secret
Investments
Le Petit Village Hotel (Aerial view of the exclusive safari style boutique hotel)
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rewarded for your curiosity. Reservations are highly recommended though, to avoid disappointment.
Located just a few meters after the US Embassy, opposite Tirupati Mazima Mall, Quality hill is a few minutes’ drive out of Kampala city center and is barely five minutes shy of the highway to Entebbe International Airport. If you’re looking for a place to host your next business meeting, office workshop, product launch, private cocktail, corporate party or even just lunch, dinner or a fresh croissant over coffee on a solo date, then please look no further. Perhaps you’re looking to complete your bathroom, bedroom or office space with that signature piece. One visit is all it takes to prove that this is indeed Kampala’s best kept secret.
For any inquiries or reservations, just reach out to Ronald via [email protected], [email protected] , [email protected] or [email protected]
Le Chateau Brasserie Belge (fine dining
restaurant with conferencing facilities)
M-Maison (Signature furniture & exotic
interior decor store)
La Patisserie (Signature French bakery &
coffee lounge/pastry shop)
Life. Style. Taste
Gourmet Foods | Coffee | Wine | Home Décor | Hotel
Quality Hill Boutique Mall Gaba Road Nsambya Next to the American Embassy
For more information or if you have an inquiry;E: [email protected] | Tel: +256 791 819483
