Govt asked to protect tree with branches in three countries

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At Nyoke ward, Oraba town council in Koboko district stands a unique tree with branches spread across three countries — DR Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.

The tree has three branches, matching the size of countries with the biggest being in DR Congo and the smallest Uganda.

Joseph Lorinya, the LC1 secretary of Toligama village, says the tree, which has since been named Salia, has become the tale of West Nile, attracting hundreds of people.

The word “Salia” means a cooking place with three stones.

Lorinya said his area has become a tourist site because of the tree. In this area, youth have since fenced it off to protect it from destruction.

The tree has three branches, matching the size of countries with the biggest being in DR Congo and the smallest Uganda. (Photo by Robert Ariaka)

“A lot of visitors come in but the revenue aspect is missing,” Lorinya said.

He wants the Government to develop the site as a tourist attraction site to generate revenue.

The security situation at the border point is not bad, Loringa said.

“We all speak Kakwa and when we see a different face, we easily identify them,” Lorinya said.

Security has been boosted with the presence of Ugandan soldiers from Uganda and the DR Congo side who guard the border point.

“We are not aware who collects the revenue from the tourists. Sometimes they are escorted by the leaders from Koboko. The government should develop the place and come up with a plan to collect revenue to develop the place. Our plan is to build a wall to represent the point where the states meet in the form of a rectangle,” Lorinya said.

Alfred Batali, a youth, said the Government needs to support them to develop the place.

“We mobilised money from members to procure barbed wire and poles to fence the place. If the place is developed, it will provide jobs for us to collect garbage and guard the place. As youth, we are energetic and need jobs. Some of us have gone to school and need to work,” Batali said.

Derrick Tumusiime, who is in charge of tourism in Koboko, said in the 2024/2025 financial year, the tourism sector is not well funded.

“When I joined, I started with a budget of sh1.5m and this was increased to sh2m. In this financial year, all districts got a grant of sh10m,” Tumisiime said.

Foreigners share experience

A team of 12 missionaries from South Africa visited Salia Musala and now supports the communities.

The South African missionaries have established the Nations Worship Church, just 100m away from the tree. Van Der Riet Elize, a missionary from South Africa, said the people are welcoming.

“I really like the way the people live together as a big family, welcoming and nice to see how generous they are. They always want to give you something,” Debrunyn said.

Matthee Luan, a South African missionary said the tree symbolises that communities from the three countries are peacefully co-existing.