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MAYUGE - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East Africa Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga has unveiled two new heritage tourism sites in Busoga region.

The unveiling, which adds to the 36 sites that already exist in Busoga, is expected to enhance tourism in the region.

Kadaga also urged local artistes, leaders, and tourism queens to popularise all tourist sites within Busoga and beyond.

The tourism sites Kadaga launched on Friday, March 29, 2024, in Bunhole-Bunhanhumba chiefdom in Mayuge district were Isenda Heritage Hill and Busiira Heritage Hill.  

She was welcomed by Bunhole-Bunhanhumba chief Nanhumba Muzamiru Bukumunhe who was accompanied by other royal chiefs led by Busoga chief prince Samuel Zirabamuzale of Bugweri, Busoga Kingdom tourism minister Prince Hellen Namutamba and Iganga Circuit Chief Magistrate David Batema.

They all headed to Isenda village in Mayuge where she unveiled Isenda Heritage Hill. She was led by the clan head of Abaise Matende, who is also the caretaker of the hill. She narrated to Kadaga the history of the hill.

From Isenda, Kadaga visited Busiira Heritage Hill and unveiled it as the 37th tourism site in Busoga. 

The minister later visited the Healing Chambers Medical Centre project, which is still under construction and owned by Bishop Alex Ekor. 

Kadaga also addressed a mamoth crowd at Bugadde Primary School playgrounds.

In her address to residents, Kadaga, who is also the chairperson Busoga Tourism Board, said they have embarked on unveiling to Ugandans and the world the second batch of tourism sites that were identified in the 11 chiefdoms, starting with those in Bunhole-Bunhanhumba.  

Kadaga urged leaders in Mayuge district and residents to promote domestic tourism.

"For those who stay around these tourism sites, I kindly request you to construct traditional wattle and mud huts, furnish them with beds made out of Bamboo and you will be able to charge a tourist $50 per night. This is good business,” she said.

Kadaga urged entrepreneurs to set up restaurants and hotels in the different tourist sites to trap cash from those who visit the sites. 

Busoga Kingdom's Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala (C) addresses residents while at Bugadde Primary School ground in Mayuge district on Friday. Looking on are Busoga Kingdom's Tourism Minister Hellen Namutamba (R) and Busoga Kingdom's Constitution Affairs Minister Alex Luganda (L). (All Photos by Donald Kiirya)

Kagulu Rock doing well

“In 2013, we unveiled 35 tourism sites, including Kagulu Rock, Itanda Falls, Source of the Nile, Busowoko and Bishop Hannington Memorial site and Kagulu is doing well because tourists now travel from as far as Japan to come to Uganda and enjoy the climbing experience,” Kadaga said.

Busoga Kingdom prime minister Dr Joseph Muvawala Nsekere appreciated Kadaga for her unwavering efforts in developing Busoga, especially in the tourism sector.

He requested Kadaga to help Abasoga to solve the issue of harassing them while fishing on Lake Victoria and the issue of increasing prices on a tonne of sugarcane at Sugar factories.

Schools should lead tourism campaign

Iganga High Court Circuit resident judge Batema urged schools to always take their students to tour tourism sites in Busoga and by doing so they will be learning geography.

He encouraged local artistes from Busoga to also shoot videos of their songs from the beautiful sceneries of various tourist sites in Busoga so that they could be marketed worldwide.

Chief Nanhumba Muzamiru Bukumunhe, requested Kadaga to help and connect youth who are university graduates to the employment world since she has a good network with various businessmen and companies.

Chief Bukumunhe also requested the Busoga Kingdom’s tourism ministry to include islands like Jaguzi in the tourism sites to be unveiled in the second phase.

Malongo sub-county councillor David Zijja requested the Government, through Kadaga, to find solutions to community issues, including tarmacking the road from Iganga-Mayuge-Bwondha, barring residents from fishing silver fish (Omena/Mukene) and realising the increase in sugarcane prices at all sugarcane factories in Busoga.  
  
Kadaga promised to present their issues before the Cabinet.

The event was climaxed with performances by local artistes from Busoga, including Cilcon Avokoz, Tinah Baiby, Cool Demus Omubedhe, Smart Dee, Dosal Man, and Lady Sumu.