Beauty queen determined to promote local tourism

By Titus Kakembo

Miss Tourism Buganda, Princess Barbara Nakiwolo, is determined to trigger domestic tourism, especially in central Buganda.

She has criticized fellow Ugandans for leaving behind their treasures at home and instead traveling abroad for holidays to have honeymoons or adventure.

“Sezibwa Falls for starters is awesome,” she said. “The air there is fresh and the scenery is any selfie lover’s dream come true.”

This was during a recent tour of the breathtaking falls, a location that is a Buganda Heritage Site.

The beauty queen and counterparts from Ankole, Toro and Teso regions sucked in deep breaths when they beheld a panoramic view from one end.

“Folklore has it that, this [Sezibwa] river was physically produced by a lady called Nalongo Nankangu,” narrated tour guide Christopher Tenywa.

“She carried the pregnancy for nine months. In labor, the birth attendant was shocked to see water flowing away and not a baby. The twins [two streams] went different ways.

 “This [Sezibwa] stayed here and the other went away to Bugerere – oral literature has it.”
 

A spectacular view of the Sezibwa Falls. (Photo credit: Titus Kakembo)

Switching from the superstitious to reality, Tenywa showed the beauty queens the trees there. One was planted by Kabaka Mwanga during his reign, another by Kabaka Mutebi and former UK Premier Gordon Brown followed suit.

Wondering why an exodus of people storm Entebbe when there are options like Sezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest, Kasenge Beach and Kalangala Island in Mukono, Nakiwolo is determined to change perceptions of Ugandans.

A casual walk around the falls was a revelation of shrines with pots, spears, pipes and bark cloth. Nearby were crosses and worship centers for worshiping the Almighty God.

Finally the tour was crowned by a visit to the Kyagwe Cultural Center where Luwombo, Mwenge Muganda and traditional music kept many viewers on the edges of their seats.

Local beverages like Omubisi and Omunanansi also featured. Stay warned, the roasted coffee beans served are reputed to boost libido.

A chat with the current Sazza Chief Benjamin Kigongo revealed a wealth of history, 250 bird species, butterflies and culture.

“We had one of the first cars in this country – a Dodge – driven by my predecessor Ham Mukasa in the early 19th Century,” boasted Kigongo.

“It is available for seeing at his plush home along Bugerere/Kampala highway.”

Ham Mukasa was a regent to Kabaka Daudi Chwa II and is also the grandfather to the reigning Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
 

Ham Mukasa's house. (Photo credit: Titus Kakembo)

Around the falls are shrines with pots, spears, pipes and bark cloth. (Photo credit: Titus Kakembo)

A mango tree planted by former UK Premier Gordon Brown during a visit. (Photo credit: Titus Kakembo)