PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM (PRESTO)

FORWARD PRESTO COORDINATOR Tourism plays an important role in Uganda’s economy. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Uganda. It has grown over the years to become a major source of revenue and also has the potential to even become the economy’s backbone over the next few years. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism (PRESTO) launched by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in February 2012 came to boost the tourism sector, diversify tourist products, initiate and/or tap tourism promotion opportunities through organizing and promoting various exhibitions and events about tourism, religion, culture, and tradition like Busoga Expo through the active participation of the private sector. Busoga is one of the most endowed regions in Uganda with major tourist sites but most of them are undeveloped. These include the world-famous

source of the Nile, where the world’s longest river starts its 6,500km journey through the Sudan, Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. In that vein The Speaker Of Parliament Rt Hon Kadaga Rabeca convened a meeting of critical stakeholders in November 2012 in Jinja chaired by herself and with PRESTO Coordinator identified areas important for the success of the event and these included: Infrastructure especially access roads to Jinja SS; Health and Sanitation facilities including toilets and watering places; Construction of sheds; Provision of marquees for service and display points; Provision of screens and public address systems; information centers’; and Provision of materials for decorations, branding and signage. Several Sub-committees which include Security, Infrastructure, Health and Sanitation, Branding, Publicity and Information, Transport, Hospitality, Protocol and Accommodation were put in place to ensure that this Busoga Expo is a special one with high standards of hospitality, infrastructure, security, transport, feeding, health, sanitation and hygiene. The PRESTO team worked very closely with already existing committees of members of Parliament of Busoga region. We are very grateful to H.E The President and Rt. Hon Speaker Rabeca Kadagafor spearheading the involvement of PRESTO in the 2012 Busoga Expo Celebrations. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism in a special way recognizes and extends its gratitude to the Religious institutions, Government Ministries and Agencies, the Private Sector and the General Public for making this Busoga Expo, a very successful and memorable event. It is therefore my pleasure to invite you to read this report and find out more about the involvement of PRESTO, achievements and areas for improvement. MS. NAAVA C. NABAGESERA SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT TO H.E. THE PRESIDENT PRESTO COORDINATOR

BUSOGA ANNUAL EXPO -PRESTO REPORT 2012

President Yoweri Museveni President Yoweri Museveni h pledged to support the Busoga Tourism

Expo if the Busoga loyal chiefs agree to unite and bury their hatchet

and selfish interests.

"I am extremely very happy that the 11 Busoga royal chiefs and the

Busoga members of parliament have united for a general cause of

Busoga tourist expo and I am convinced that it will take Busoga to

another level of development. Now with the discovery of oil in

Uganda which we are yet to produce, I will fully support tourism not

only here in Busoga but Uganda as a whole," Museveni said

The president, accompanied by first lady Janet Museveni made

these remarks on Saturday during the closing ceremony of

Busoga tourist expo at Jinja secondary school in Jinja town.

President Museveni says that Uganda earns 800 million Uganda shillings every year from

tourism and assured the people in Busoga to support the recovery and improvement of the

existing and new cultural and historical sites in order to translate them into sources of income

Addressing himself on the Kyabazinga stalemate, President Museveni distanced himself from

the persistent failure of the cultural institution to have a successor.

"I have heard and been told about people lying and confusing you that I support any of the

contenders but I want to put it very clear that I am not one of the 11 hereditary chiefs in

Busoga kingdom and therefore can never interfere. Just task them to come to consensus and

show you the Kyabazinga, my work is to advise where necessary," Museveni noted.

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga

The speaker called upon all people of Busoga to stop

politicizing cultural issues.

Kadaga who is also the Woman Member of Parliament

for Kamuli district and chairperson Busoga

Parliamentary Forum says culture is universal to all

people irrespective of political and other affiliations.

She said MPs from Busoga sub-region have streamlined

ways and strategies of promoting tourism as one sure

way of empowering the region out of absolute poverty.

"Let us all desist from engaging in political wrangles and internal bickering that has sunk the

region into poverty. Busoga is endowed with a rich cultural and traditional heritage that once

exploited fully, will not only generate revenue for our region and our people, but also bring

about real socio-economic development in our area," she noted.

Busoga is blessed with a number of heritage sites including Iyingo, Kagulu hills, Budumbula

shrines, Bugonza Christian martyrs shrine and Bishop Hannington Memorial site among

others which can attract tourists in the region

She however attracted applauses from the enthusiastic revelers who shouted, "Time is now,

show us the legitimate Kyabazinga"

The chairman organizing committee and Member of Parliament for

Kigulu North Edward Balidawa Kafufu says that if Busoga's tourism potential is fully

tapped, the region will develop rapidly.

"There are many endowments that not even our hereditary chiefs had thought of and this is the

open opportunity for them to be known across the globe," Kafufu noted.

He says says the expo is aimed at popularizing tourism and cultural sites in Busoga in order to

promote more visitors in the region.

Balidawa says tourism in Busoga should be improved to compete with other regions in

Uganda. This can only be achieved if the cultural norms, practices and sites in Busoga are

made known to the world.

The Expo has attracted exhibitors from the 11 chiefdoms of Busoga. Each of the chiefdoms is

expected to have a stall to showcase the different tourist attractions in their areas. The sites

will be shown through recorded videos, pictures and written literature. Some of the tourists

will pay and travel to cultural sites in Busoga.

Some of the cultural sites that are less known by people are the six hills which the Basoga

have strong cultural attachment to. These are Mawembe, Nenda, Mpumwiire, Kagulu, Igenge

and Busoga hills.

Others are Iyingo landing site where the first Musoga Chief known as Mukama lived after he

came from Bunyoro. They also want to promote St. Gonzaga Martyr’s Shrine in Kaliro and

Bishop Hannington Memorial site in Mayuge. Hannington, a British missionary was killed in

Busoga in the late 18th century on the orders of Buganda King Mwanga II.

Busoga Expo 2012

Dates: 12th - 15th December Venue: Jinja S.S Grounds Theme: My Busoga, My Heritage, My Uganda Organizers: Busoga Parliamentary Group Convener: Rt. Hon. Rebecca A. Kadaga, Speaker of Parliament Objective: To celebrate Busoga's cultural heritage, trace the industrial life of Busoga,

highlight and awaken Busoga's tourism potential

Busoga Expo 2012 Background

The expo was in two parts: the first two days (12th -13th) will was for entirely exhibition

while the following days were for both exhibition and discussion workshops.

The eleven cultural Clans exhibited their regalia and totem symbolisms Selected industries in Jinja also exhibited their long journey in Jinja's life. Religious groups exhibited their story in Busoga's life Hoteliers in Jinja also exhibited what they offer Tour and Travel companies showcased their services Different communities that have lived in Busoga over years such as the Nubians, Asians, etc..

exhibited their unique culture

The expo was officially opened on 14th December by the Rt. Hon. Speaker with a key note

speech. There after a series of speeches and presentations were made before groups could

break up into workshop formats for the remaining days.

On the 13th December, an entourage of Busoga leaders and the Tourism industry players

officially launched the Busoga Tourism Circuit on a one day tourism trip to Busoga sites.

Departure was from Jinja. S.S at 9.00am on 13th

At the expo on 14th and 15th there were a series of presentations made as follows:

Dr. Andrew Seguya the Executive Director of Uganda Wild Life Authority on Status of Tourism in Uganda.

Mr. Amos Wekesa the Chairperson of Uganda Tourism Association on Busoga's tourism potential.

Dr. Peter Ngategize of Competitiveness and Investment Climate Secretariat on Busoga's Competitiveness in the tourism industry.

Mr. Roni Madhvani former Chairman of Uganda Tourism Board on Busoga's Tourism Opportunities.

Prof. Wasswa Balunywa on Busoga's drive for socio economic transformation. A digital presentation of the sights and sounds of Busoga.

Workshops:

The objective was to catalyze the participants to concretize on the vision for Busoga Tourism

potential. These discussions were able to generate areas of critical importance that require

intervention and also pointed out the kind of intervention needed. They also highlighted the

kind of interventions the local leaders at various levels need to make in order to enable spur

tourism in Busoga.

A report was synthesized and presented to the H.E the President by the Rt. Hon. Speaker on

the last day 15th December. The Expo was closed by the President.

Exhibition at the Expo

A number of companies and stakeholders both from Busoga and Kampala were invited to

exhibit at the expo. The 11 hereditary chiefs also exhibit the cultural and traditional heritage

of Busoga.

Up to 10 local cultural music groups were at hand to perform through the period of the expo

Steering Committee:

A steering committee of 10 MPs from Busoga coordinated the activities and preparations of

the expo with the critical and central role played by SPA-Political Naava Nabagesera

(Presidential initiative on Sustainable Tourism) coordinator. .

About Busoga Expo

The Busoga Expo 2012 was held in Jinja from the 12th to 15th December, it brought together

various levels of society and stakeholders in Busoga. The objective of the expo is to create

awareness and awaken people's recognition of Busoga's cultural, historical heritage and the

enromous natural endowement that the region has. During this time, the leaders of Busoga

launched the Busoga tourism circuit which will subsquently be marketed by the entire tourism

industry in Uganda.

There was exhibitions of Busoga's unique cultural heritage and the Busoga's hidden tourism

attractions. There were discussions on how this vibrant potential can be harnessed to not only

create wealth but also to bring about sustainable socio-economic transformation in the region.

Since this was the first ever such expo in Busoga.

History of Busoga

Busoga is a traditional Bantu kingdom in present-day Uganda. It is a cultural institution that

promotes popular participation and unity among the people of Busoga, through cultural and

developmental programs for the improved livelihood of the people of Busoga. It strives for a

united people of Busoga, who enjoy economic, social and cultural prosperity. It also continues

to enhance, revamp and pave the way

for an efficient institutional and

management system for the

Kyabazinga kingship.

Busoga, literally translated to Land of

the

Soga, is the kingdom of the 11

principalities of the Basoga/Soga

(singular Musoga) people. The term

Busoga also loosely refers to the area

that is generally indigenous to the

Basoga. The kingdom's capital is

located in Bugembe, which is near

Jinja, the second largest city in Uganda.

As of June 2007, Busoga Kingdom is composed of eight politically organised districts:

Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Mayuge, Jinja, and the newly created districts of Kaliro and Busiki

(luuka district).

Each district is headed by democratically elected chairpersons or Local Council Five, while

municipalities are headed by an elected mayor. Jinja is the industrial and economical hub of

Busoga. The Busoga area is bounded on the north by the swampy Lake Kyoga which

separates it from Lango, on the west by the Victoria Nile which separates it from Buganda, on

the south byLake Victoria which separates it from Tanzania and Kenya, and on the east by the

Mpologoma River, which separates it from various smaller tribal groups (Padhola, Bugwere,

Bugisu, etc.). Busoga also includes some islands in Lake Victoria, such as Buvuma Island.

A map of Busoga Kingdom and some of its districts

The Busoga Flag

The Kyabazinga

Busoga is ruled by the Isebantu Kyabazinga of Busoga. This name was a symbol of unity

derived from the expression and recognition by the Basoga that their leader was the "father of

all people who brings all of them together", and who also serves as their cultural leader. In

1995, the government restored monarchies in Uganda with the promulgation of the new

constitution of the Republic of Uganda; Article 246(1). On February 11, 1996,[1] His Royal

Highness Henry Wako Muloki was reinstated as Kyabazinga Isebantu of Busoga. He served

until Monday, 1 September 2008, when he finally succumbed to esophageal cancer at the

Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, at the age of 87.

In a condolence message, Y.K Museveni, the president of Uganda described Muloki as "a

great cultural leader and father" who was "generous and kind". Since his re-installation on 11

February 1996,[1] Muloki had been a unifying factor in Busoga, the President noted. "The

Government has had the privilege of working with Isebantu Muloki in developing our nation".

Referring to the Kyabazinga as "a strong pillar", Museveni said although Busoga was one of

the youngest kingdoms, under the leadership of Muloki, it had become strong. "Uganda

mourns not only one of her esteemed traditional leaders but a national who put development

and the welfare of the people of Busoga at the helm of his reign", Museveni added. The

achievements of Muloki include special programmes initiated for girl-child education, for the

youth and for the elderly and the disadvantaged.

Early contact with European explorers

Written history begins for Busoga in the year 1862. On 28 July 1862, John Hanning Speke, an explorer for the Royal Geographical Society, arrived at Ripon Falls, near the site of the modern town of Jinja, where the Victoria Nile spills out of Lake Victoria and begins its descent to Egypt. Since Speke's route inland from the East African coast had taken him around the southern end of the Lake Victoria, he approached Busoga from the west through Buganda. Having reached his goal – the source of the Nile, he turned northward and followed the river downstream without further exploring Busoga. He records, however, being told that "Usoga" (the Swahili form of the name "Busoga") was an "island", which indicates that the term meant to surrounding peoples essentially what it means today. The present day Busoga Kingdom was, and still is, bounded on the north by the swampy Lake Kyoga, on the west by the Victoria Nile, on the south by Lake Victoria, and on the east by the Mpologoma River.

Early demographics

In the 19th century, one of the principal routes along which Europeans travelled from the

coast to Buganda passed through the southern part of Busoga. From John Speke and James

Grant, Sir Gerald Portal, F.D Lugard, J.R. Macdonald, and Bishop Tucket all noted that

Busoga was plentifully supplied with food and was densely settled as a result. However,

between 1898–99 and 1900–01, the first indications of sleeping sickness were reported.

In 1906, orders were issued to evacuate the region. Despite the attempts to clear the area, the

epidemic continued in force until 1910. As a result, most of the densely populated parts of

Busoga, the homeland of over 200,000 persons in the 19th Century, was totally cleared of the

population in the ten years. Lubas palace at Bukaleba, also the coveted European fruit

mission, collapsed and relocated to other parts of Busoga. Southern Busoga constituted of

about one third of the land area of Busoga, and, in 1910, southern Busoga was vacant. In the

1920s and 1930s, some of the evacuees who survived the epidemic began to return to their

original land. However, in 1940 a new outbreak of sleeping sickness resurfaced in the area,

and it was only in 1956 that resettlement, promoted by the government began again, but

things were not going to be the same again. Few Basoga returned to their traditional lands.

The consequences of the catastrophe were that the Southern part of Busoga, the area roughly

corresponding to what Johnston delimited as the most densely populated area, was virtually

uninhabited. Other areas originally affected by sleeping sickness, including the eastern

margins of Bukooli and Busiki counties were evidently depopulated too. Famines, too,

resulted in substantial population movements. Several areas in north east Busoga and in the

adjacent Bukandi district across the Mpologoma river were repeatedly struck by famines in

1898 to 1900, 1907, 1908, 1917, 1918 and 1944. Populations in these areas reduced, many

people, falling victims to the famines while the survivors moved to other areas for safety.

The effects of these movements were apparent from the growth in population density in the

central area of Busoga and in urban and peri-urban areas of Busoga. Many Basoga left

Busoga in the same period, settling in other districts. The demographic profile of Busoga

today is, as a consequence of all these developments. Today, Busoga is home to many people,

of about 6 different origins.

Early economic status

In the pre-colonial era, people left their traditional lands and state structures disappeared. A

number of clans and states decimated and people migrated into Busoga in large numbers in

this century, carrying with them the traditions and cultures of other lands. The most important

causes of these movements were mainly famines and epidemics, which occurred within and

the surrounding areas.

Busoga experienced massive movement of people right from the early period that led to its

construction as a nation. Several factors contributed to the trend of events. They included

mainly factors ranging from famine and security. Today, these factors continue to affect and

define the population mobility in the kingdom, in addition to the quest for employment and

social amenities. The changes in the demographical trends have continued to witness a

population influx in urban and peri-urban areas of Busoga kingdom for the above reasons.

Towns like Jinja, Iganga, Kamuli,Kaliro, and their surrounding areas are some of the areas

that continue to face high levels of immigration. Immigrants join town life in search for jobs

and security.

Between 1920 and the 1970s, Jinja, Busoga’s capital city, experienced economic changes and

gained in economic importance. During this period, it transformed into an industrial town

with the steady high cotton production, as well as the completion of the Uganda Railway and

Owen Falls dam. These factors elevated Jinja into an agri-industrial centre with over 46

factories, several cottage industries and a well-developed infrastructure. These developments

attracted people in the form of labour from the rural areas of Busoga to work in those

factories, help in housekeeping or in doing other urban development related activities.

Externally, many people also came from the neighbouring areas outside Busoga. Among the

newcomers were families of Asian origin who came to do business. Estates like Mpumudde

and Walukuba were developed to accommodate the increasing population. Other services like

piped water, electricity, roads, hospitals and schools were also extended to serve the

population. In the villages, the majority of people, with the assured market in towns,

concentrated on agriculture. They grew both cash and food crops like cotton, coffee, bananas,

potatoes and cassava, fruits and vegetables. Standards of living drastically improved and

Busoga kingdom raised its revenue and constructed more infrastructures. It reduced the

subsistence farming system of life and turned to real economic production that was in demand

by Europeans.

By independence in 1962, Busoga was one of the most powerful regions in Uganda. Its power

lay in the regional capital, Jinja which is Uganda’s second largest city. Jinja was the home to

70% of Uganda's industries and also hosted the Nalubaale Power Station (Owen Falls Dam)

that supplies electricity to Uganda and parts of Kenya and Tanzania. Jinja was also the home

of the majority of Uganda's Asian population. The Ugandan Asians, who had been brought to

Uganda from the Indian sub-continent by the British during colonial times, had helped to

establish Jinja as one of East Africa’s most vibrant commercial centres.

Early political status

About the turn of the 16th century, an important event took place, which was to give the

Basoga their peculiar cultural configuration. This was the advent of the Baisengobi clan, who

bear their historical descendancy from Bunyoro. Prince Mukama Namutukula from the royal

family (Babiito) of Bunyoro is said to have left Bunyoro around the 16th century and as part

of Bunyoro’s expansionist policy and trekked eastwards across Lake Kyoga with his wife

Nawudo, a handful of servants, arms and a dog, and landed at Lyingo, located at the northern

point of Busoga in the present day Kamuli District.

Prince Mukama loved hunting and his adventures exposed him to the beauties of the new

found land. For some time he engaged himself in blacksmithing, making hoes, iron utensils

and spears. Prince Mukama and wife Nawudo bore several children of whom only five boys

survived. On his departure back to Bunyoro, Prince Mukama allocated them areas within his

influence as overseers. In this way, the first-born Wakoli was given to oversee the area called

Bukooli, Zibondo was to administer Bulamogi, Ngobi was given Kigulu, Tabingwa was to

oversee Luuka, while the youngest son Kitimbo was to settle in Bugabula. These loosely

allotted areas of supervision to the Prince’s sons were later to become major administrative

and centers cultural authority in Busoga. With time passing without the expected return of

their father, the five sons of Prince Mukama regarded themselves as the legitimate rulers over

their respective areas by virtue of their family origin (Babiito). They continued to preside over

their respective dominions; employing governing methods and cultural rituals like those from

Bunyoro-Kitara. This state of affairs in Busoga's political and cultural arrangement continued

till the late 19th century when the colonialists persuaded the rulers of Busoga into some form

of federation. This federation resulted into a regional Busoga council called Busoga Lukiiko.

Before 1906, although it was often called a ‘Kingdom’, it was debatable whether Busoga

could really be classified as such. Unlike its western neighbor, Buganda, Busoga did not have

a central ‘all-powerful’ figurehead (King or Queen) until 1906, at the behest of the British

colonial powers. Prior to this, the Basoga were organized in semi-autonomous chiefdoms,

partly under the influence of Bunyoro initially, and then later on, under the partial influence of

Buganda.

Before the coming of the British to Uganda, there was no uniting leadership in Busoga. When

Uganda became a British protectorate, attempts were made to create a central form of

administration on the model of Buganda which was a fully fledged kingdom. The Buganda

King – the Kabaka had lineage going back centuries. However, in Busoga some of the chiefs

had been simply appointed by the Kabaka – and it is believed that in some cases they were

descendants of favored Baganda chiefs who were given authority to rule over land in Busoga.

Others simply belonged to powerful landowning families in Busoga that had become self-

appointed rulers over vast areas. The British brought all these chiefs into an administrative

structure called the Lukiiko. The British appointed a Muganda from Buganda, Semei

Kakungulu as the President of the Lukiiko and he became Busoga’s first leader, although the

British refused to give him the title of 'King', as they did not regard him as a real king.

Past Kyabazingas

Obwa Kyabazinga bwa Busoga has evolved over years and each Kyabazinga that has presided

over Busoga has added a piece to the process. To date, there have been three past

Kyabazingas who have presided over Busoga since 1939 as an established federated state of

Busoga. These have been:- Chief Ezekiel Tenywa Wako, who was the first Kyabazinga of

Busoga and ascended to the throne in 1939: Yosia Nadiope, and Sir William Wilberforce

Nadiope Kadhumbula.

Sir William Wilberforce Kadhumbula succeeded his late father’s (Yosia Nadiope) quick sense

of judgement and love for the people. He ridded the kingdom of insecurity; eliminating bad

elements in society in the famous operation named Emizindula (war against theft), ended the

British policy on the fight against smallpox (Kawumpuli), during which residents were

ordered to carry rat tails to Busoga square for counting as evidence that they had really killed

the diseases agents (rats). This, he saw as a dehumanising act and joined his subjects to

denounce the policy, which brought him in conflict with the British administration. As a result

he was exiled to Bunyoro where he was called to lead the Basoga into the Second World War.

His war skills and mobilisation ability earned him Queen Elizabeth's admiration and love. He

was honoured with the title Sir among other awards.

He also played a big role in Uganda's independence struggle and before the end of his career,

he had served as the first Vice President of the independent Uganda. He was also the

Chairman of Uganda People's Congress political party (UPC).

He mobilised for the construction of infrastructures like roads, hospitals, government centres

like county and sub-county headquarters and most of all mobilising the Basoga to productive

farming of both food and crops. During his tenure of office doubling as the Vice President,

Kyabazinga and UPC Chairman, he managed to push for several development projects in

Busoga that include construction of schools like the Balangira High School, which later

became Busoga College Mwiri.

ATTRACTION SITES IN BUSOGA

Kagulu Hill

Kagulu Hill in Buyende is a mystical

wonder to see. This rock marks the

first settlement area for Basoga of Bunyoro origin led

by Prince Mukama. Although the cultural value of

Kagulu extends to cover a wide area, the remaining

and visible landmark is the Kagulu hill. The hill sits in

between two roads that divide at the foothill to lead to Gwaya and Iyingo.

The hill, although not yet familiar to many people outside Busoga, Kagulu hill has a

breathtaking scenery that gives a clear view of almost the entire Busoga. Kagulu hill is unique

in the attractions it offers. It is the only hill in Uganda that has been adapted for tourist

climbing, with constructed steps to make it easy for visitors to access the top. on the top of the

hill are unique vegetation, fauna and crater lakes which are "a must see" to any visitor to the

area.

The source of the Nile

The source of the Nile, the second longest river in the

world, marked by

the ?discovery of

one of the first

European

explorers, John

Speke, is an

internationally

?unique attraction.

The tranquility and

splendour of both

Lake Victoria and River Nile embody great memories of any

visitor.?

The source of the Nile can be accessed from both the eastern

bank where Jinja town centre lies and the western bank where the Speke Monument (from where John

Speke viewed the Ripon Falls - 1862) & Source of the Nile gardens lie. On the eastern side of the Nile

lies the Muhatma Gandhi monument and a big tablet written on facts about the Source of River Nile.

Boat and canoes are available to cruise the river at both banks and the operator offer rides at

negotiable fees starting from Ush5,000+.

With a surface area of 68,800 square

kilometres (26,600 sq mi), Lake

Victoria

is

Africa’s

largest lake by area, and

it is the largest tropical

lake in the world. Lake

Victoria is the world's

2nd largest freshwater

lake by surface area;

only Lake Superior in North America is larger. In terms of its

volume, Lake Victoria is the world's ninth largest continental

lake, and it contains about 2,750 cubic kilometers (2.2 billion acre-feet) of water.

Budhumbula shrine/palace

The site comprises a shrine and the residence

of the former Kyabazinga of Busoga, Sir

William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope,

who died in 1976. The shrine, covered ?by

beautiful marbles consist of graves of other

various members of the royal family, ?such

his father and mother, Yosia Nadiope and

Nasikombi respectively.?

Lake Victoria

Ghandi's Shrine in Uganda

Ghandi's Shrine in Uganda? It comes as a bit of a surprise, doesn't is?

Well, there really is Ghandi's Shrine in Uganda, near the Source of the

Nile. Upon Ghandi's death in 1948, his ashes were divided up and sent

to many locations around the world to be scattered, and some ended up

in the Nile River at Jinja.

Near the source of the Nile plaque is a small memorial garden

commemorating Mahatma Ghandi, the centerpiece is a bronze bust

donated by the Indian government. The place is becoming a pilgrimage site for Ugandan

Indians.