Tourists brace for Kagulu Hill climbing challenge 2023

KAMULI

The Kagulu Hill Climbing Challenge where thousands of local and foreign tourists throng to participate in the annual event in Buyende district is back again.

Slated for tomorrow, the event is expected to feature the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope as the guest climber, backed by his cabinet, Members of Parliament, prominent figures and hundreds of mountain climbers.

Speaking to the media on Monday, the Busoga Kingdom tourism and culture minister, Hellen Namutamba, said the event which has been organised under the theme “Promoting job opportunities for the youth through Tourism”, is aimed at showcasing Busoga’s culture and tourism potential.

“The subjects are eager to see the young energetic monarch conquering the 3,484 feet range,” Namutamba said while inspecting the hill on Monday.

She added that the beauties of the Miss Tourism Busoga contest have been lined up and the winner is expected to be announced at the event.

The event is being supported by the ministry of tourism, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in conjunction with Busoga Tourism Initiative (BTI).

Moses Magogo, the FUFA president, hailed the Government for upgrading the hill to enable both the energetic and weak climbers to participate.

“The tourism ministry has built staircases and chains for the climbers to hold as they climb,” Magogo, who is the host Member of Parliament, said, adding that the upgrading cost over sh350m. The route is blessed with two white painted cottages where the exhausted climbers can rest before proceeding to conquer the summit.

The hill has been upgraded to enable all climbers to participate. (Tom Gwebayanga)

Prominent singers from Busoga and Kampala usually come for the event.

Commissioned by President

Commissioned in 2012, President Yoweri Museveni named Kagulu Hill among one of the nation’s tourist destinations.

The day President Museveni commissioned the Hill. Second left is Kadaga.

The event gains vibe every year, featuring local and foreign tourists jostling to participate, before winning big prizes which include motorcycles, mattresses and bicycles.

In 2018, the speakers of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD-IPU), dared to climb the hill.

Showcasing culture

The event showcases culture, featuring the “Oracles” (Abaswezi) of the hills, forests and huge trees. The Baswezi include Mmandwa Kagulu (Kagulu Hill), Iyingo Kireeba Isabirye (Iyingo Hill), Dhaadha Bujagaali Nabamba (former Bujagali falls), Mayembe, Siraje Kinagoidhi, Kasaato and Kitukiro.

Why climb Kagulu hill?

At the summit is the sacred well with a sailing canoe and a small oar in it.

On the western side are prints of a human foot, a spear and a dog, the property of Mukama Namutukula, Basoga’s original ancestor.

Legends tell that the foot mark is where he stepped on arrival from Bunyoro, across Lake Kyoga, way back in the 17th century.

A deep well, whose tunnel joins Lake Kyoga, about nine kilometres away, is another wonder.

After performing some rituals on the hill, Namutukula settled near Iyingo hill, about 9km away, where he begot 11 sons.

He then conquered the entire Busoga and divided it into 11 chiefdoms. He allocated each to the sons, thus birthing the 11 chiefdoms in Busoga Kingdom.

Beautiful panorama

Other fascinating features while at the summit include the beautiful panorama of over 600 villages and the green vegetation.

While at the summit, Lake Kyoga seems to have extended nearer the hill. A deep well whose tunnel is believed to join Lake Kyoga, about 9km away, is another wonder.

The neighbouring zones are blessed by the shorter rocks popularly known as Kagulu’s “wives” and “children.”

These include Mawaale, Bukolimo, Kagwese, Nakyeere and Mumpanga.

In the thick forests at the extreme northern end is the “enkuni” (most sacred cultural stone), including the shrine (eissabo) and the courtyard (embuga) of the 72 year-old racle, Mmandwa Kagulu Nabiryo.

Shrubs, long bushes, depressions, cliffs and the mahogany trees clinging on the sides and cliffs, add to the hill’s beauty.

The hyenas’ mass grave

At the western side of the summit, tourists don’t miss the big cave known as the hyenas’ grave. This is where locals suffocated over 200 hyenas to death, accusing them of mauling their livestock.