KAGULU — A group of American investors who are on a business trip in the country on weekend took on the Kagulu Hill climbing challenge— one of the tourist attractions in Busoga sub-region.
The initiative that started with visitors from USA climbing the historic Hill
is part of Ministry of Tourism in Busoga Kingdom drive to market the famous Kagulu hill —located in Buyende District as a top tourist destination.
Launching the initiative dubbed Kagulu Rock tourism garden, Busoga Tourism Minister Hellen Namutamba said the initiative will encourage more tourists visit and climb the rock.
“It is designed in a way that when visitors come around, they climb the mount, come down eat, dance with the natives and thereafter go and plant a crop of their choice in the garden,” Namutamba said.
She added: “This will be an attachment and will always attract someone to come back into the country to eat of the harvest. The visitors shall participate in planting crops such as Matooke, Sweet potatoes, Cassava and Maize”.
Head of the American delegation Lisa Stark Hughes said that it is absolutely amazing to know that the people start climbing Kagulu rock and get to learn about their heritage, how their race started and get more connected to their land, culture.
“I feel honored to be part of the rock climbing challenge, to be so welcomed, it was amazing to be able to go and pray in the cave; it’s a wonderful experience and the challenge of climbing the rock is very acceptable in life,” Lisa said, noting that, the experience teaches people that they can accomplish anything in life no matter the struggle.
She also noted: “It is very touching to be welcomed by people who are so hospitable. “I feel so blessed to be part of an initiative by the Kingdom to allow me plant a crop at the Kagulu rock garden; I look forward to coming back to be able to harvest the plantation, prepare and eat them.”
On his part, Robert Gayman who is also part of the delegation appreciated the wonderful experience that he has acquired by taking on the Kagulu Rock challenge which is a life time changer.
“I am so humbled that I have been able to receive an invitation from the President which has given me an opportunity to experience the beauty of this land an experience that I have never had in all my life time,” Robert said.
He compared the climbing challenge to challenges of life and said “no matter how we look at things, we are going to be tested, we shall always face obstacles which we must overcome.”
The American delegation was ushered into the country by the East African Partners (EAP)a company that markets and promotes East Africa as a viable investment destination.
The EAP Managing Director, Isaac Kigozi has revealed that the delegation of American investors is in the country to undertake medical tourism and will be visiting a number of government agencies and medical facilities in the country.
“This team of investors is in the country to explore a number of investment opportunities in the country most of which fall under the medical sector. This visit will inform their investment decision,” Kigozi said.
Kagulu Hill is located in Buyende District, 30km from Kamuli town. The hill rises to approximately 3,500ft above sea level.
With a five-kilometre radius, the hill is the historical destination for the first prince-turned-king of Busoga, Mukama Namutukula.
It is here that he rested after he alighted from the dilapidated boat at Lyingo landing site on Lake Kyoga, 10km away.
One of the outstanding sites is one with an engraving of a man’s feet, a spear and a dog.
This is supposedly the exact place where Namutukula rested on arrival, and it is believed to have been drawn by the ancestral spirits.
To the west of Kagulu hill, are smaller hills in a line, commonly referred to as Kagulu’s wives — Kagwese, Mawaale, Mpanga, Nakyeere, Bukolimo and Butadewo.
To the north is the shrine of the aging oracle, Mandwa Kagulu Nabiryo, said to be haunted by 45 spirits that own and patrol the hill.
At the summit of the hill are two wells, one with a dugout canoe with an oar. Legend has it that one time, a white man “stole” the oar, but his car was involved in an accident and he was forced to return it.
Since 2003, many people, especially foreigners, have been enjoying rock climbing at Kagulu Hill.
