Uganda in the eyes of Sir Samuel Baker’s offspring

(L-R ) Sir Samuel Baker’s great grandson David Baker, his daughter Melanie Baker and UWA Executive Director Andrew Sseguya

“Uganda has a diversity of tribes, landscapes and water bodies that are not found anywhere in the world” observed the visiting, explorer Sir Samuel Baker’s great grandson David Baker.

“It has been amazing to stand at the exact spot where my great grandfather stood with his wife Florence

150 years ago to see and name Lake Albert.”

“Thanks to RGS, the modern GPS and Google map. The exact spot is today a refugee camp,” added elated Baker.

Flipping his ipad open, he quotes from the griping account of Sir Samuel Baker’s exploration, a description of the people, lifestyle and dress code found in place way back in the 19th Century. “The reception I got was warm.

The natives greeted me by raising my hand up above my head. Then as a gesture of acceptance by the tribe-pumping it three times before-letting go,” read Baker.

Comparing experiences, Baker considers himself and his daughter Melanie lucky to meet Ugandans who are citizens of the global world today. 

They tweet, joke, wear Jeans, speak English, drink Coca cola and dine posh.

“Para Sarova is a ten star hotel,” said Baker. “Where else in the world can you see the big five, the cascading River Nile, birds and live dances like I have seen in one day. 

The thunderous drums are still ringing in my ears and the choreographed Bwola dancer’s footwork

is engraved on my mind. 

They can fill a theater to capacity in Central London!”

Great granddaughter Melanie who lives in Canada was speechless and could not wait to publish her experience in Africa.

“Getting to learn that there is a school named after my great granny makes me proud of my roots,” boasts Melanie. “And it has awakened me to the fact that not what we all take for granted in the developed world,

like education and healthcare, is available to all.”

National Geographic leader of the expedition Julian Fisher said credit goes to Uganda Wildlife Authority, Para Safari Lodge and National Geographic

By Bruce Amp

Rare monkey specie is tourism’s new kid on the block

A mangabey monkey. Recent research shows that the rare monkeys prefer to live in undisturbed natural high forests. 

Buikwe - In the next one year, Ugandans and other tourists can prepare to engage in a new form of tourism activity—tracking the Mangabeymonkeys.

Beyond the pleasure of following the grey-cheeked monkeys lies the unique fact that one will be tracking primates whose existence is largely limited to Uganda.

The government’s decision to promote the monkeys, also known as Uganda Mangabey or Lophocebus Ugandae, as the newest tourism product followed the commissioning of their habituation recently.

At the forefront of this initiative is the Ministry of Environment, the National Forestry Authority and Nature and Livelihood, an NGO.

Dr William Olupot, who works with Nature and Livelihood, said the monkeys are only found in Uganda although a small number lives on the Tanzanian side of the Uganda-Tanzania border along Lake Victoria.

Locations
“In Uganda, they are found in Lwamunda, Sango Bay and Bugoma forests in KibaleNational Park and in the Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Buikwe District,” Dr Olupot said.

He said recent research has shown that the rare monkeys prefer to live in undisturbed natural high forests, prompting the authorities to start the habituation process.

The exercise, which will last between one and two years, will see tourism officials slowly introduce humans to monkeys in a bid to make the latter get used to the former.

Once the monkeys are comfortable relating with humans then the public will be free to track them like they do with mountain gorillas in BwindiImpenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.

Dr Olupot also wondered why Mabira, despite being close to the city (60kms from Kampala) with a large forest and plenty of flora and fauna was yet to be developed into a vibrant tourist destination.

Mr James Ndimukulaga, a director at the National Forest Authority, said far from claims that humans had invaded Mabira and destroyed it for charcoal and timber, the forest was still largely intact and could be developed into a tourism hub.

The call from Mr Leo Twinomuhangi, the ranger manager at NFA, however, was different.

He said there was evidence of “powerful” people connected to the UPDF, the police and local leadership clearing sections of the forest.

“I wish all the mentioned people can repent and stop the act. No one should ever cut a tree in Mabira and we will enjoy many more benefits,” he said.

By: Bruce Amp

Tourism ambassadors deliver Uganda to the world

Miss Tourism Uganda contestant Aisha Nagudi is welcomed to Germany. 

Kigali

Mountain Gorillas, the Source of theNile, music, dance, art and the hospitality of Ugandans, are some of the reasons tourists descend upon Uganda every day. Uganda is the Pearl of Africa and generously endowed by nature– the more reason visitors are interested in finding out more about this tourist destination.

The story was, however, different last week. Instead of waiting for foreign tourists here, Uganda was ‘exported’ to the world by nine tourism ambassadors who are also contestants for the MissTourism Uganda 2013. Travelling to Ethiopia, Turkey, Belgium, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya, the ambassadors took with them knowledge about Uganda’s tourist attractions as well as products that define Uganda.

Uganda’s products
Visiting Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and the Source of the Nile, among other tourism sites weeks earlier, was an opportunity for the ambassadors to ‘take’ these places and more, to the countries they visited.

In Rwanda, for instance, Kellen Nakaye, one of the contestants, took with her coffee from Uganda, cow horn–made items such as bangles and key holders; booklets on tourism in Uganda and wildlife carvings. The ambassadors met various people, including Uganda’s representatives in the countries visited, tourism stakeholders, ordinary people and the media.

The message, delivered by these ambassadors was to promote Uganda as a preferred touristdestination. 
Tourism minister Miria Mutagamba, while speaking to journalists who were to accompany the girls to the different countries, said: “The purpose of the travel is about marketing Uganda as the Pearl of Africa.” 
For the ambassadors, the experience has been fascinating but also key in their quest to make the world know what the country has to offer. “I believe we have so much to offer, but we need to improve our marketing strategies, how we present ourselves out there and making the tourism experience memorable,” says Nakaye.

The ambassadors are also keen on interesting Ugandans to visit tourist sites in the country, instead of leaving it to foreign tourists only. Sandra Akello, one of the contestants, says if she takes the crown, she will advocate for domestic tourism. “…I believe it starts with us as Ugandans to appreciate what we have even before foreign tourists can come in,” she says. Her colleague Nakaye shares her views: “As much as tourism is the second foreign exchange earner to the country, it has to make sense to the ordinary person.”

After nearly 20 years of Miss Tourism Pageant lull, a new tourism ambassador will today be crowned at an evening event at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala. One of the nine contestants will not just take the title - Miss Tourism Uganda 2013 – but represent the country at the Miss Tourism International Pageant on December 31 in Malaysia.

Nature-endowed
Most importantly, the Miss Tourism Uganda will be in-charge of promoting tourism locally and internationally with emphasis on culture, wildlife, weather, fauna and flora, eco-tourism, adventure sports and Uganda’s landscape, among others.

The Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with various partners, hopes that this effort will ensure “Uganda’s tourism industry claims its rightful place at the helm of African tourism” and become “a major driver of employment, investment and foreign exchange,” as minister Mutagamba explains.

Who will be crowned Miss Tourism today?

The Ministry of Tourism today picks the Miss Tourism Uganda 2013, a lady who will be Uganda’s tourism ambassador to the rest of the world. Out of the hundreds of girls who showed interest in the pageant, nine will today make a final show of their potential to take that coveted crown. Below are profiles and aspirations of the finalists.

SANDRA AKELLO, 20.
The student of International Business at Makerere University Business School, hails from Dokolo District. If she is crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2013, Akello will advocate for domestic tourism, because she believes ‘it starts with us as Ugandans to appreciate what we have before foreign tourists can come in’. Akello is eager to work with Uganda Wildlife Authority in conserving the country’s tourism wealth for the future generation. As a tourism ambassador, Akello also hopes to work with the Ministry of Tourism ensure safe and comfortable transportation and access to tourism sites. She detests poaching and the destruction of natural resources.

SHAMIM NAKAMYUKA, 24.
Shamim hails from Mukono District and holds a bachelor’s degree in Tourism from Makerere University.
If she is crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2013, Shamim will work towards improving how the country’s tourism industry is marketed. A focus on domestic marketing of Uganda’s tourism potential will be top on her agenda because she believes it is one way foreign tourists can get attracted to visit and invest in the sector.
Reaching out to other sectors and ministries to ensure the Tourism industry stands firm is what Shamin also intends to do if her dream to become Uganda’s tourism ambassador is realized.

KELLEN NAKAYE, 22.
Nakaye hails from Bbira Village in Kampala. The violinist recently completed a degree in telecom engineering from Makerere University and has been undertaking voluntary work for charities. When she wins the crown for Miss Tourism Uganda 2013, Nakaye intends to work with the Tourism Ministry to ensure Uganda’s tourism products are clearly defined on the international market. Drawing inspiration from the country’s diverse tourism varieties such as the mountain gorillas, the source of the Nile, arts and cuisine, Nakaye wishes to work with communities to conserve these potentials for the economic benefit of locals and the country.

Domestic tourism: The way to go this Christmas

Thousands of Ugandans spend a lot of money traveling to foreign tourism destinations like Zanzibar and Mombasa to be at one with nature especially during festive holidays.

But there is plenty of nature and adventure to be experienced inside Uganda.

Domestic tourism has grown a lot in the recent past and more Ugandans need to maximise the opportunities here. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in partnership with the Pearl Guide Uganda and Geo Lodges has embarked on a Holidays at Home campaign to promote domestic tourism, especially in this festive season.

The campaign is running largely through social media, getting Ugandans to post pictures of their local tourism visits and viewers will vote for the best.

The winner takes the grand prize of two nights for two at The Rainforest Lodge and the second prize is a fully paid trip to tour any of the Parks managed by UWA.

UWA business development manager, Stephen Masaba noted that there is much more to see in Uganda and for so much less money, but he noted that the country’s beauty has not been marketed to Ugandans.

Vivian Lyazi, the public relations officer of Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities says similar offers will be organised regularly, especially during festive seasons.

By Bruce Amp

The virgin that is Kidepo valley

After 12 hours of a safari from Kampala, the Toyota grinds to a halt in the vast KidepoValley National Park. To get to this supreme isolation, a tribute which distinguishes it from other attractions, the odometer had logged 700km.

“I want to shoot the huge herds of buffaloes that featured on CNN,” Martin Sebuyira, a photo journalist, echoes a widely shared dream. “Then there are those famed tree climbing lions.”

We did not expect a quirky Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Sergeant Philip Akoromwe, 40, to crack our ribs with laughter. Equipped with rosy words, he furnished his attentive audience with a wealth of information.

“This is River Nalusi, a watering hole that never dries up. Animals resort to her when the entire neighbourhood dries up. Somewhere in the park, she joinsRiver Kidepo. Later they join the mightier River Nile for the 6,500 miles journey to the Mediterranean Sea,” Akoromwe says.

Fond of making sudden comical announcements, Akoromwe paints mental pictures of what one cannot see physically.

“Plenty of drama unfolds in this isolated true African wilderness,” Akoromwe says.

“During the lion’s mating season, the female begins by releasing some sweet scent that sexually stimulates the male. She then exposes her behind to the male and he has no choice. The mating can go on for seven hours.”

Slice of Karimojong culture

Being a native of the land, Akoromwe packages the narrative with the history of Kidepo and the Karimojong.

“Life in gritty Karimoja needs the tough ones only. Like us, our ancestors braved droughts, floods and customary cattle rustling. In the past, marriage was a rite of passage into manhood,” Akoromwe recounts, before detailing how a young Karimojong man was required to wrestle down the woman he admired into sexual submission and that marked the engagement.

“If he won the wrestling match against the woman, he was considered a real man and was permitted to marry her. Dowry negotiations could then begin between the family of the bride and the groom.” Akoromwe adds that in the past, a Karimojong man married to a woman from another tribe was automatically regardedunable to wrestle and therefore not man enough.

Kidepo’s wildlife

Akoromwe asks the driver to stop by a group of basking bushbucks. But he does not stray far from the comic streak in him and promptly personifies the poor animals:

“That is a handsome boy attracting so many girls. Unlike the Karimojong girls who are hard to woo, in the culture of the bushbucks, the female proposes. Look at that, the males are displaying themselves for the females to take their pick.”

By 1:00pm, the king of the jungle, who everyone anticipated seeing, is nowhere to be seen. This prompts one of us to ask Akoromwe what he would tell a guest who badly wanted to see a lion.

“I would say Kidepo is the closest you can come to the jungle as it was 100 years ago,” responded Akoromwe. “Kidepo, with a population of 120 lions, is not a zoo where animals are caged. Moreover, lions do not have mobile phones for me to be able to summon them for viewing,” he says.

“There is a lady who visited the park three times but missed the lions. Last week, she came again and saw them. Besides, there is lots more to interest you. The panoramic view, birds, phallus-shaped anthills and the rocks where the late South Sudan president John Garang’s chopper crashed,” he adds.

We later come across a dry bed of the 50-metre-wide River Kidepo. “Some rivers here are seasonal,” Akoromwe explains.

“This river is unpredictable. One moment it is there and the next, it is gone. A river flood can show up without warning. That is how rally driver Richard Tebere and his navigator Rashid Mudin died. At times, the tide is so high and fast it can sweep away a bus,” he says.

Later, Akoromwe pays tribute to giraffes. “The idea that giraffes are mute is wrong! Although they are normally quiet, calves bleat and make a mewing call, cows seeking lost calves bellow, and courting bulls may emit a raucous cough,” he says.

As if to illustrate the guide’s point, one of the giraffes snorts and another moans.

We also get a lesson on ostriches. “For self-defence, ostriches have very powerful legs that can kick a lion or a human being dead. I do not know where the saying of burying the head in the sand, like an ostrich, comes from, but the ones in Kidepo do not do it,” quips the tour guide.

Kidepo is good for bird watching, and birds to expect include the Abyssinian Roller, Purple Heron and the Ground Hornbill.

Hot springs

Kidepo and Karamoja are not short of mysticism, as testified by Kangarok hot springs, where people go to make their skins smooth and heal skin diseases.

“Cockroaches which risk to drink this water die instantly,” Akoromwe says. “If you wash your face with the Kangarok water for 30 days, it becomes very smooth and soft.”

Local legend has it that it was named after Longorok, a man assigned to carry water in a gourd from Kochetut to Lotukei village. On reaching this spot, clouds gathered and it rained heavily. The lightening that struck was blinding and Longorok died. It is believed his blood and water mixed to begin boiling and healing his people.

As night falls, we drive back to the UWA bandas. Akoromwe suddenly orders the driver to stop the van. He switches his torch on and beams it at a laughing hyena. Soon, we notice a mane rustling in the grass. Shiny eyes squint at the blinding beam of the torch — here were the lions we had longed to see.

“There are three of them. These cats are night animals. Their best dish is antelope meat and the ‘bodyguards’ (the hyenas) eat the leftovers,” Akoromwe says.

The day is crowned by a goat roast, yummy boiled offals wolfed down before a bonfire and washed down with pints of beer, tea and wine.

By Bruce Amp

Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari – A Feast For All Senses

It’s no idle boast that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill christened Uganda the “The Pearl of Africa.” When it comes to wildlife conservation andeco-tourism, Uganda does command outstanding respect. However, a visit to the country cannot be complete if some time is not set aside to visit QueenElizabeth National Park.

The park can be reached from Kampala either by air or road. From Kampala, the park can be approached from the south via Mbarara (420 km) or the north passing through Fort Portal (410 km). Three airstrips serve Queen Elizabeth National Park and these include Ishasha, Mweya and Kasese airfield.

This 2,056 square kilometre park was established in 1952 when the two game reserves of Lake George and Edward were merged into Kazinga National Park. Two years later it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park when Queen Elizabeth II of England visited Uganda.

It is one of the oldest national parks in Uganda and is designated as a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under the auspices of UNESCO. Together with Kyambura and Kigezi wildlife reserves, the park forms one of the most diverse eco-systems in Africa.

Queen ElizabethNational Park is really enticing. Take time off and visit it. Visit with your family or that special person in your life, but go prepared to fall in love all over again for the park is blessed with spectacular scenery and attractions to fill one action packed holiday and still leave scores of other experiences to be enjoyed on a return trip.

The low attitude and its location directly on the equator mean that the temperatures can be warm, rising from a mean minimum 18ºC to mean maximum of 28ºC. The park receives up to 1250mm of rain mostly from March to May and September to November. The melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland system comprising of two main lakes George and Edward. Edward was named by the explorer Henry Morton Stanley after the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.

The two lakes are connected by a 40km long channel whose shorelines are populated by thousands of hippos and birds all year round.

This park is a paradise for dedicated ornithologists as well as the novice bird watcher. The bird list is 612 species including the rare Shoe Bill, the Martial Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, White tailed lark, Verraux’s Eagle Owl and the Lesser and Greater Flamingos.

The park is an ultimate feast for all senses. There are over 95 mammalian and hundreds of butterfly species. Activities like the launch cruise along Kazinga Channel will offer you a unique unequaled wildlife experience. It puts one right in the heart of nature where many Hippos nest in the water while big herds of elephants can be seen enjoying themselves along the channel banks.

Many who experience it consider it the highlight of their entire African safari. The launch cruise schedules run in the morning and afternoon. The open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provides habitat for lions, leopards, buffalos and Uganda kobs. Among the many other animals seen frequently are the water bucks, giant forest hog, hyenas and topi.

Networked by over 200 kilometres of well maintained tracks, the visitors get access to the park’s game as some of the tracks pass through large mating grounds of the Uganda kob.

The Kasenyi sector on the east side of Kasese road is best known for lions which prey on large populations of the Uganda kob while the famous tree climbing lions can be spotted on large fig trees in the Ishasha sector which is 100 km south of the Mweya Penisular.

Another principal feature of the park is Kyambura Gorge. This steep gorge was formed by turbulent waters of the roaring Kyambura River. It provides a lush riverine forest that is home to chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white Columbus monkeys, olive baboons and other primates.

The park also has one of Uganda’s largest tracts of tropical forest – Maramagambo forest which translates as “the forest beyond description”. This forest stretches from the foot of the Kichwamba escarpment to Lake Edward. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the bat cave floor using the bats as a source of food.

The cave is near thecopper rich blue lake and hunters’ cave. Beautiful crater lakes are spread throughout the park, the most notable being the Katwe explosion craters.

This cluster of extinct volcanoes north of Mweya peninsula can be explored by the winding 27km crater drive between the main and equator gates which provide superb views into the numerous craters.

As Christmas is getting closer, I recommend Buffalo Safari Resort, located in Katunguru, Queen Elizabeth National Park, overlooking Lake Rubirizi which is not only a jungle safari resort with a touch of class but it’s also a sanctuary for birds and other animals particularly the buffalo that come to drink.

If you are looking for a vacation get away, a romantic weekend, Buffalo Safari Resort will surely provide you with an extraordinary experience!

Other budget and up market facilities are also available in the park and could be good options for families but also for free independent travelers.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly amazing – take your camera, for you will want to record all the wonders you will see!

By: Bruce Amp

Awe at Bwindi

Trekking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

When somebody mentions Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south western Uganda, the first picture that pops into your mind is the mountain gorilla, right?
Well, it happened to me as well when I checked the plan we were to follow alongside this year’s Miss Tourism contestants.
The contestants were to film part of their boot camp around tourist sites like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

While other parks have a lot to offer in flora and fauna, Bwindi is synonymous with the endangered species of mountain gorillas. The park boasts of half the world’s population of Gorillas (approximately 400).

But that is not all about Bwindi. A first-time visitor will appreciate the beauty of this park. As soon as we drove through the Buhoma entrance at Bwindi Forest, we were struck by the piercing chills amid tall trees of over 1,000 species.
You may have heard that Bwindi forests can be cold in the mornings and evenings, but when it is cold in Bwindi, it is really cold. Our knuckles popped. We froze.
Nothing inside the vehicle could warm us up as we drove to Ruhija village, east of Bwindi. The village is just outside the park boundary and is home to three gorilla groups namely Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro.

The road to this village is rocky and almost impassable when it rains. The journey takes close to two hours. It took us three hours because we could not easily navigate through the muddy and water-logged road as our mini-bus was not elevated enough. Whenever we encountered a deeper water-hole and the driver laboured to beat it, the girls would disembark from the bus, lest it rolled down the valley.

The baboons that patrol the roads seemed familiar with vehicles. When they saw our vehicle, they retreated to nearby trees and cliffs not in fear, but to give way and after, resumed their road patrol. The colobus monkey that rarely touches the ground just peeked through the tree branches as if in acknowledgement and then resumed its leaf-eating.

As kilometres raced under the bus, the journey got tedious since we had driven all night from Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi and accessed Bwindi through Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha.

We were awed by the sight of mist-covered hillsides blanketed by this old diverse forest. The home settlements down the forested narrow valley and the rising Virunga volcanoes, in a haze, were such a marvel.

Our evening at Ruhija was not hospitable enough as the wild rains sent us huddling around the only furnace at the Gorilla safari Lodge overlooking the valley forest and volcanoes, where we pitched camp for the night. The good thing is, we were all bracing for the one activity you just cannot miss out on while at this park. We were to track gorillas the next day.

GORILLA TRACKING


By 8:00am, we were at Ruhija tourism zone outpost getting briefed about the trek. We were to keep at least seven metres away from gorillas to avoid disease transmission between us and them.

A silverback gorilla. Bwindi is home to many gorilla groups, each comprised of about 19 members

We were warned not to run for our lives when the gorillas charge at us, but stand still and look down. I must say, chills swept down my spine at the mere mention of a gorilla charging at us. Really? We should not run for dear life?

After the orientation, we were each given walking sticks and off we went into the forest to start our search. On our way, Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger Job Nahabwe, who led us in the tracking, showed us the Olea tree species that gorillas love for their fruits. We also saw the thorny Rubus specie, Momodica trees, Urea hypsoldendron and the Rytigimia tree species known to be medicinal to human beings.

Even after encountering a huge heap of their faeces abandoned on the leafy ground, 30 minutes later, we had not seen any gorilla. But the varied melodies of the birds and the swinging monkeys up in the trees served as a precursor of things to come.

We abandoned our walking sticks along the way because we had to penetrate deeper down the valleys past a rich population of flowering plants, various tree species and ferns.

Time check: 10:37am and Eureka! we finally found a gorilla. The unique black and silver gorilla at Katonvi area of Bwindi was seated on the leafy ground like a retired elderly citizen in his compound, counting his ducklings. Its black cub huffed around, playing by its dad just like a human child basking in a treat.
The other individuals revelled in their breakfast, breaking branches and picking leaves, only that there was no drink to escort the digested foliage. This silverback we found is called Rukina and heads the Kyaguriro troop made up of 19 gorillas.


It felt great being close to Rukina and his troop who were grunting and belching, signalling contentment at whatever meal or dessert of fruits they were having. And that sealed it for us in Bwindi.

By Bruce Amp

The symbolic Gandhi statue in Jinja

Chacko Babu, the chairperson of the Indian Association in Jinja, adorning the statue of Gandhi at the source of the Nile last year.

Down the deep valley that feeds into the blue waters of what is largely known as “the source of the Nile” in Jinja, a busy day rolls on.

Tourist vans roam; petty traders beckon tourists, tour guides pounce on unsuspecting passersby and attendants of little wooden craft shops call out to prospective customers. We know this as the spot where John Speke, one of the early British explorers, allegedly witnessed the source of River Nile.

With its lush greenery and cool sea breeze, it remains one of the most visited sites in Uganda. But the ‘source’ is also famous for hosting one of the world’s most charismatic figures: Mahatma Gandhi.

The father of the Indian nation, Gandhi rests on a raised brown slab plinth in the lush green gardens on the extreme right hand corner of this expansive space. Appearing in an artfully rendered bronze bust, his presence bestows a calming tranquility in an otherwise busy environment.

In this dark, grey-brown bust, Gandhi spots a pensive demeanor, looking down on all his visitors or perhaps praying for them. Set against green towering trees and a thriving fl ower garden, the bust shares in the cool whispers of the fresh breeze emerging from the tender leaves of the healthy trees surrounding it.

It brings down a sort of calmness and peace that seem to elude any part of this active place. In a symbolic sort of way, such a background powerfully resonates with the very values that this man stood for: peace, calmness and co-existence. And, it easily rubs off the visitors.

As I stood below this monument, marveling at its chiseled bronze glazed body, I witnessed the nearly divine spell that it seems to have on visitors here. In groups; in pairs; even as individuals, people approach this statue with some sort of prayerful reverence.

A young woman came to the statue as I watched. With calculated steps, she made her way to the garden; her initially quick strides growing ever slower as she got closer. She suddenly stopped right in front of it.

She looked at it straight up, went up the steps, closer to the pedestal, read the words on the foundation stone, turned her head, looked up and lightly reached for the statue with her hand.

“Why?” I asked. “What is it about this man that brings you here?”

“I do not know. I want to know more about him, maybe I can teach my students about him; I do not think he is covered in our syllabus. I would like to go back and ask those who know more about him to tell me,” said Joyce Asaba, a teacher of mathematics and social studies from Hoima.

She afterwards paused for a picture while standing next to the statue and disappeared. As an artwork, Gandhi’s statue bares appealing aesthetic qualities; a shapely torso with a glazed yet rutted finishing that makes for powerful texture.

This is the kind of statue that you see and also want to feel. Through well-considered, even slightly exaggerated rendering of the eyes, nose, moustache, lips and ears, the artist draws us into the soul of this highly acclaimed individual.

His eyes are not just closed or half closed, the lips are not just firmly clenched, and brow not just well-lined, and the ears not just wide spread- the artist is saying something: that Gandhi is watching, praying, listening; please join him.

Birth of the statue

The statue at the source of the Nile was an idea of the Indian community in Uganda in collaboration with the Indian government.

It was unveiled on October 5, 1997 by His Excellency Inder Kumar Gujral, then Prime Minister of the republic of India. It has since been maintained by Bank of Baroda, an Indian owned bank here.

According to Ashok Garg, the bank managing director, this monument stands not only as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s in­ uential work in Africa, but also as a reminder of Gandhi’s decision to have a portion of his ashes sprinkled in the Nile in 1948.

“By putting up the statue, we commemorate a great man, who worked hard to spread a message of peace in the world, but also whose virtues of non-violence in­fluenced leaders like Nelson Mandela and other rulers,” Garg says.

Gandhi spent 21 years of his illustrious career in Africa where he championed the rights of the downtrodden and marginalized communities.

It was his wish, according to some unofficial sources, that on death, some of his ashes be sprinkled in the Nile, perhaps to cement a long lasting relationship with a continent that shaped his career, but also, I guess to immortalize and spread his legacy in Africa and beyond.

No doubt the ashes sprinkled in Nile in Jinja have been washed all over the continent and beyond. The Gandhi monument has become a pilgrimage and tourist site for Ugandan and Indian nationals.

According to Garg, every year, on October 2, Gandhi’s birthday, the Indian community pays homage to their country’s founding father by visiting the statue and presenting ­ flowers.

For many Ugandans, this monuments stands for the honour and grace of a peace activist and world icon.

“To see that Gandhi’s ashes were immersed here and his statue located here is a great honour to our country,” Susan Mulungi, a restaurant operator, says.

She adds that as an individual, the presence of Gandhi’s monument here reminds her “to always be tolerant with my friends”.

 Ismail Kirunda, a tour guide at the source of the Nile, says alongside the spot where John Speke is said to have seen the Nile, Gandhi’s monument has added a tourist value to this place.

“A number of people come here just to see and take pictures next to Gandhi’s statue” he says.

Locations

Locations of statues of Mahatma Gandhi in Jinja
 

• “The source of the Nile” in Jinja

• The compound of the Hindu temple on Bell Avenue West in Jinja. It is a full figure statue of Gandhi, holding a stick in the right hand and a book in the left, while sporting his famously simple traditional Indian dhoti and shawl. It is a beautiful statue, standing on a raised red-brick pedestal, which shows Gandhi seemingly taking a step. Its dark monochromic rendering gives this work harmony and easy viewing.

• Rajni Tailor, a renowned businessman, talks of a third Gandhi statue at Gill Singh’s house not far away from the temple.

By: Bruce Amp

Going for the hybrid eclipse? Start preparations now

The beautiful thing about this historical moment is that it will not cost an arm and a leg. With about Shs200,000, you can get to enjoy and be a part of those who witness the eclipse.

“This Odongo here is an Alur from Jonam, the land that holds Packwach, the home of the total eclipse. That’s how we rock. Not even Jesus saw the eclipse during his time, but Packwach will have it,” Rwanda-based Ugandan journalist, Jacobs Seaman Odongo posted on his Facebook page at the weekend.

For starters, Odongo’s excitement won’t stop at posting on social media. The “boy” from Alur is actually flying down back home, “to witness the total eclipse and be part of history.” And history it is indeed. Now, the hybrid eclipse does not occur as frequently as a meal or even presidential elections. It takes generations and centuries, if not millennia to happen. The one we are all anticipating in which, to put it in the lay man’s language, the moon will pass in front of the sun and cause a shadow on the earth’s surface, causing temporary darkness, last occurred on March 16 1466. Scientists speculate the next will be on June 3, 2114.

If that doesn’t sound fascinating enough, then how about the fact that since Jesus Christ’s birth, the world has only witnessed seven of the type according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) website. Better still, the hybrid eclipse is the rarest of all. To crown it all, Uganda has been zeroed down on as the best spot to view the natural occurrence, estimated to last one minute and 40 seconds.

The sad news though is that not every corner of the country will give the best of the historical moment. During a press conference last week at the Uganda Media Centre, tourism minister Maria Mutagamba revealed that Masindi, Soroti, Gulu, Arua and Pakwach districts, “have been identified as most strategic vantage points to view the eclipse.” Yes, in the whole world. According to various sources, Pakwach has been touted as the most strategic place to view it. Owiny Primary School, the minister revealed, has been cited as the central ground for the event, expected to attract over 30,000 tourists dominated by scientists and foreigners, though only 10,000 have confirmed according to the minister. However, according to Benon Twinamasiko, a physics lecturer in Makerere University, Gulu out of all the places in northern Ugandawill have the best view because it is right on the path of the eclipse.

“I think the tour operators and promoters have latched on Pakwach because of the other tourism opportunities also available after the eclipse. There is a view there, but Gulu has the best,” he said in an interview later.

So how do we join the 30,000 or 10,000 for the 4.15pm historical episode? Is there anything on the side of preparation we need to think of before hitting the road? Oh yes, there is.

Mind about your health
“If we don’t take care, we are likely to have an epidemic of blind people inUganda. You know some of us like trying things out to see what happens, please don’t dare this time,” a ministry of health official sounded the alarm bells on radio last week. Speaking to journalists, Dr Issa Makumbi, the Ministry of Health Assistant Commissioner for epidemiology and surveillance resounded the warning with emphasis against using naked eyes to view the eclipse. “This could cause irreversible blindness. If someone lacks certified eclipse viewing glasses, pinhole cameras, welders’ goggles, undeveloped black and white film that is not closed, it is advisable to view the eclipse through water in a basin.”

The specialist has spoken and we can only add so much. Apart from using naked eyes, even sunglasses, binoculars, telescopes and developed films are dangerous and must not be used.” Certified eclipse viewing glasses and pinhole cameras may not be that accessible but welders’ goggles are and may cost you at least Shs20,000 just like the undeveloped black and white film at your nearest photo studio which will come at half the price or less.

Carry enough money along for othertourism sites
The hybrid eclipse is not a film or football match that you watch till sleep takes the better of you. It is less than a two minute affair. Value for money therefore comes to play. You don’t want to travel from Jinja or Mukono to Pakwach, spend over Shs70,000 on transport for such a short time, however historical it is. The solution therefore is to maximise the time. Venture into domestic tourism. Like the state minister for finance, Fred Omach puts it, “With several tourism attractions like the White Nile, rift valley gorges, various species of migratory birds on Lake Albert and its 66 fish species, tourists will get value for money even after viewing the eclipse.”

When to leave
November 3, the D-day is a Sunday. Assuming you are going to Pakwach or Arua to leave on Friday or Saturday is the question. Or can you even hit the road that very Sunday?

Well that entirely depends on what else you want to do there. If you want to tour other places, one can leave as early as Thursday though that comes with a bigger budget. Ideally Friday is good. The different bus service providers such as Nile Coach and Gagaa operate on a fairly strict timetable. Whatever day you choose, beware that to catch a bus to Nebbi-Pakwach and Arua. Departure time is 7am, 11am (morning travel) and 9pm, 10pm for night travellers at a fee of Shs32,000 for the seven-hour journey. The executive section travels at 11pm at Shs50,000. You will need at least Shs18,000 aboard Teso Coach or Kakise buses to Soroti. The other areas like Gulu and Masindi will cost you about Shs20,000. Arua and Soroti have airfields so if you are considering air transport, book with the various airline companies in advance.
When there
Arua and Pakwach stand out as some of the busiest towns in this country, with a bee hive of business activity. Soroti and Masindi are equally busy. So is Gulu. This in itself is good news. Good news because accommodation, if you choose to sleep there before or after November 3, is easy to come by and affordable. White Castle Hotel, Oasis Inn in Arua, Solot Suites and Elysian Guest house in Soroti, the famous Acholi Inn, Pagoda, and Sport View in Gulu are some of the accommodation options you may consider. Phone calls made to the different service providers put the average bed and breakfast cost at Shs30,000 to Shs50,000.

With consistent assurances from the Uganda Police on security and efforts to allay terrorism fears, with speculation that the President might grace the Pakwach eclipse viewing, with the historical attachment this day brings, you don’t want to just hear and read stories and you also don’t want to be caught unawares. Let the preprations start now.

By Bruce Amp

Water protection key for tourism growth – Museveni

One of the Gorilla males in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi national Park. 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has asked Ugandans to develop a spirit of tourism and adventure as one of the ways of promoting sustainable tourism.

Celebrating World Tourism Day at Boma grounds in Fort Portal on Friday, the president, in a speech read on his behalf by defense minister Muruli Mukasa, said tourism is an exciting activity that arouses interest in everyone because its entails exploring new frontiers.

The day was marked under the theme “Tourism and Water protecting our common future”

Museveni said Fort Portal has been projected as the tourism city in the Vision 2040 because the region is endowed with plenty of attractive geographical features, climate, forests and the people.

But he still challenged the people of the area to work hard towards fulfilling the benchmarks government has put in place which include infrastructure development.

“We should not look at the visitors only,” he said. “We should also look at ourselves here as potential and actual consumers of tourism in this country.

“It is only in that way that we can sustain the tourism potential that is so abundant in this region and support Fort Portal as a tourist city.”

According to Museveni, tourism is the major consumer of water and therefore the protection of water bodies is of great importance to the survival and growth of the tourism industry.

In his speech, the statesman stressed the need for local governments to improve accessibility and infrastructure to tourism sites and challenged entrepreneurs to involve the local population to solve the problem of unemployment.

The minister of tourism, Maria Mutagamba said her industry has grown by 23% despite global economic challenges.

On his part, the king of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru appealed to the central government and the private sector to partner with his kingdom and invest in areas of ICT, tourism, agro processing, fish processing among others.

“Toro is the greatest tourism attraction in the country with a wide range of bird spices and the highest chimpanzee population in East Africa and I invite government and the private sector and other development partners to come and invest in Toro” appealed the youthful king.

By Bruce Amp

What you need to know when watching the eclipse

While we celebrate Uganda having the best view of the November 3 eclipse, there are some dos and don’ts to note so that we view it without getting hurt.

We all can’t wait, can we? To see that breathtaking moment when the moon blocks out the sun’s rays in what is known as the eclipse, which will take place on November 3, about three weeks from now.

As this day draws closer, there are certain dos and don’ts that everyone who is intending to watch the eclipse must put into consideration for their own safety.

Ben Enjiku, a senior lecturer of physics at Kyambogo University says during this time when the moon is obstructing the sun, the eye’s pupil will be dilated in order for it to absorb as much light as possible.

There will be no danger of course in looking at this spectacular sight. However, the issue only comes in as the moon is leaving the sun, thereafter casting its rays back onto the earth.

“The sun is the main source of ultraviolet light. In case you were staring at the eclipse with naked eyes and some of the rays penetrate into them, you will definitely get a problem,” Enjiku explains.

“This is because the widened pupil will be absorbing so much of the rays into the eye,” he adds.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is an invisible form of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength which cannot be seen easily by humans. It carries more energy than the visible light and can occasionally break bonds between atoms and molecules, therefore altering the chemistry of materials exposed to it.

Danger to the eyes
The effects, according to Enjiku, include the UV light causing partial blindness to the eye, where by one fails to see the difference between certain things for instance colour.

Even worse, one can become completely blind as a result of the UV light damaging the retina.

Adults tend to notice the effects more quickly than children. It is therefore important that all children are monitored closely by the adults on that day.

BBC news on November 29, 2002 in a story titled “How to watch the eclipse safely” reported that there is no pain when the retina is being burned, and the resulting visual symptoms do not occur until at least several hours after the injury has occurred, by which time it is far too late.

The news agency also added that depending on how long the retina is exposed to the sun, this injury may cause permanent damage to vision.

What you can use
On how these dangers can be avoided, Enjiku advises people to use devices that will enable them see the eclipse clearly but block the UV light at the same time.

“You can use film negatives that were commonly used in cameras back in the day. The other option can be to get a transparent glass and smoke it until it becomes black in colour. The dark coating helps in cutting off the ultra violet light,” he adds. Some of the sources of smoke can be wood, dry grass or a candle.

The other safe method that Enjiku suggests for viewing the eclipse is putting water in a basin that is coated with black paint at the bottom, so that you see the eclipse on the water surface.

By Bruce Amp