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BUYENDE - Hundreds of tourism enthusiasts have spent a six-day experience touring some of Busoga’s tourism attraction sites in a campaign dubbed Explore Busoga.

The adventure, which started on February 13 and ended yesterday (February 18, 2024), was organised by the tourism ministry in partnership with Busoga Kingdom’s tourism ministry.

On Friday, tourism state minister Martin Mugarra who was also spearheading the campaign, was joined by Busoga Kingdom premier Dr Joseph Muvawala, former UTB chairperson Daudi Migereko, and kingdom tourism minister Hellen Namutamba to flag off the Explore Busoga Campaign at Java House in Jinja.

Local and international tourists who were aboard buses, vans, and private cars were led by a Police truck in a convoy up to Kagulu Hill where they adventured into a climbing challenge of the 3,600ft rock.

While speaking to New Vision Online after participating in the Kagulu Climbing Challenge, Bahinduka was mesmerised by the beauty of Busoga after viewing it at the top of Kagulu Rock.

“This was my second time climbing Kagulu rock and the first was when I climbed with the Kyabazinga of Busoga last year it is fun while climbing when you get to the top, it is flat and suitable for picnics in case one comes with his/her family and the one can see the beautiful scenery of Lake Kyoga and the River Nile,” Bahinduka said.    
 
He stated that there has been a mentality that travel is expensive but it is not and, therefore, urged Ugandans to promote domestic tourism by visiting some of the tourism attraction sites in their regions and also promote them by posting their visits on social media.

“Most tourism destinations like parks are full of Ugandans, almost 86% of the visitors are Ugandans and if you go to a park, over 60% are East Africans with Ugandans being the majority. We do these campaigns because we want to encourage Ugandans to travel so that we can have a more sustainable tourism sector and also increase the number of tourists,” Bahinduka said.

He added that the tourism sector employs about 1.5 million Ugandans, contributing about 8% of GDP.

When asked about future plans for developing Kagulu site, Bahinduka revealed that the Government has plans to construct a modern restaurant, and modern toilets, do proper landscaping of the area and also create good parking facilities.

“We have a few issues concerning land ownership around Kagulu Rock and we are trying to solve it through stakeholders like Busoga Kingdom and the Buyende district local government. Once this is done, we shall kick start the development works,” the minister said.

He added that the Government is also committed to developing other tourism sites in Busoga.

Local tourists climbe Kagulu rock during the Explore Busoga campaign in Buyende district. (All Photos by Donald Kiirya)

Artiste Joseph Mayanja a.k.a Jose Chameleon, who climbed the Kagulu Rock up to the top said it was a good experience for him.

“I want to urge fellow Ugandans to visit this place and do a challenge at Kagulu Rock, I have enjoyed climbing with the Ugandan flag on my shoulders, it is really breathtaking as you get closer to the top,” Chameleon said.

Government commended

Namutamba commended the Government for the various developments done at Kagulu Rock including the construction of the statue of Namutukula, the founder of Busoga, stairs, and resting facilities where one can rest as he/she climbs the rock.

Climbers who went to the top of Kagulu and back were given medals showing that they conquered the rock.  

On Saturday, they toured Itanda Falls, Busowoko Falls and performed activities, including water tubing, rafting, and quad biking. They also visited the Bungee Jumping site and enjoyed the experience of jumping until they kissed the waters of River Nile.

The Explore Busoga campaign also featured a variety of Ugandan celebrities, influencers, bloggers, and journalists to help promote the new National brand.

On Sunday, tourism enthusiasts visited Kakira Sugar Works and departed for Kampala in the evening.