Call Us: +256 (0)414 337 000 Mail Us: news@newvision.co.ug Advertising Rates
Plot 19/21 First Street, Industrial Area, Kampala
New Vision
Home
Media
Supplements Tenders Notices

Sightseeing CPC delegates soak in Ugandan culture

Sep 25, 2019

From taking selfies at the Equator to enjoying breathtaking views at the summit of Kagulu Hill in the east, Commonwealth delegates relish a day out experiencing Ugandan culture in various locations.

64TH COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

September 22-29

alt=''

It was a day of sightseeing as delegates attending the ongoing 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Uganda spent most of their Wednesday on the road, checking out places of interest in different parts of the country. While some groups stayed within the central region, others embarked on the eastern route to conquer Kagulu Hill in Buyende district as well as visit the Source of the Nile in Jinja district. Here is a roundup of what happened . . .


Presented by Joseph Kizza

alt=''

@joekizza

______________________________


NAMUGONGO

The group that remained in the central zone visited Namugongo Martyrs Catholic Shrine, with Father Vincent Lubega, the in-charge at the shrine, leading the visitors on a guided tour of the famous basilica dedicated to the Ugandan martyrs.

(Photo: Catherine Namuddu)


The basilica is located at Namugongo, Kira Municipality in Wakiso district, central Uganda. Groundbreaking for its construction was in 1965, with construction completed in 1968 - a year after Uganda had hosted the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference for the first time.

(Photo: Catherine Namuddu) 


The basilica was decreed on April 28, 1993, and is administered by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala. It is built close to the spot where Saints Charles Lwanga and Kizito were burned to death in 1886 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II.

(Photo: Catherine Namuddu) 


Every June 3, this place is a beehive of activity and human traffic as millions of visitors from around the world join Ugandans to commemorate Martyrs' Day.

Pictured below are Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference delegates from South Africa posing with Toroma County MP Joseph Andrew Koluo (far right).

(Photo: Olive Eyotaru)


Nwoya County MP Simon Oyet and co were welcomed by Fr. Vincent Lubega, the rector of the shrine.

(Photo: Olive Eyotaru) 


This delegate from South Africa took time off to commune with the Omnipotent.

(Photo: Olive Eyotaru) 


______________________________


This is the second time that Uganda is hosting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

(Photo: Moses Kaziba) 


The first time the Pearl of Africa hosted the conference was in 1967, five years after gaining independence.

(Photo: Moses Kaziba) 


This time round, delegates started flying in for the week-long conference as early as Friday.

Already, there have been a series of meetings, during which women parliamentarians have discussed wide-ranging issues as well as conducted elections for new leadership - particularly for the chairpersons of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) and CPA Small Branches. The newly-elected leaders are Gulzar Khan (Pakistan) and Niki Rattle (Cook Islands), respectively.

Pictured below are delegates out on a sightseeing excursion.

(Photo: Moses Kaziba) 


______________________________


NKOZI UNIVERSITY

Mawokota South MP John Bosco Lubyayi welcomed CPC delegates to Nkozi University, which is in his constituency.

(Photo: Olive Eyotaru)


Fr. Joseph Ssembatya, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university, also welcomed the visitors to the institution.

(Photo: Olive Eyotaru) 


______________________________


CONQUERING KAGULU HILL

Buyende district was ready to receive the delegates, with Kagulu Hill the main point of interest.

(Photo: George Ssempa)


The hill is a high-rising rock of about 3,600 feet located and is now promoted as a tourist site in the east of the country.

Former Miss Uganda and reigning Miss World Africa Quiin Abenakyo was set to welcome the delegates.

(Photo: George Ssempa) 


Abenakyo hails from the eastern part of the country.

In July this year, she invited reigning Miss World Vanessa Ponce to Uganda. Ponce, who doubles as the reigning Miss Mexico, honoured the invitation.

During her six-day stay in Uganda, Mexican beauty queen called on President Yoweri Museveni, who received and welcomed her at his country home in Rwakitura in Kiruhura district.

(Photo: George Ssempa) 


Once the delegates had arrived at the foot of Kagulu, a warm reception awaited them.

(Photo: Donald Kiirya)


An intimidating view of Kagulu Hill for one that dared take it on!

(Photo: Donald Kiirya) 

 
The climbing challenge was on . . . and how delegates showed their steely side to scale it!

(Photo: Donald Kiirya)


On a gloriously warm day, beauty queen Abenakyo was not to be left out ofthe thrill.

(Photo: Donald Kiirya) 


The area residents were pleased to see their visitors.

(Photo: Donald Kiirya) 


Rope? Check! Determination? Check! And up they climbed!

(Photo: Donald Kiirya)


No turning back.

(Photo: Donald Kiirya) 


If you were not daring enough, there was another way of getting to the top.

(Photo: Moses Kaziba) 


And once at the summit of the hill, climbers were rewarded with a breathtaking view.

(Photo: Moses Kaziba) 

 
Is it harder going up or coming back down? Experts will tell you it is the latter.

(Photo: Moses Kaziba)


______________________________


EQUATOR

Several miles away, towards the western side, Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, donning a coat over a tunic, took group photos with CPC delegates at the Equator in Kayabwe.

(Photo: Olive Eyotaru)


Wood Fired Pizza at the Equator. Anyone?

(Photo: Catherine Namuddu)


No prizes for guessing the best place to be in two hemispheres at the same time.

(Photo: Catherine Namuddu)


______________________________


UGANDA NATIONAL MOSQUE

Also known as Gaddafi Mosque, this place of worship located in Old Kampala was one of the places of interest for the adventurous delegates.

(Credit: Arthur Musinguzi)


Completed in 2006, this tower of a mosque seats up to 15,000 worshipers and can hold another 1,100 in the gallery, while the terrace will cater for another 3,500. Fallen former Libyan president Col. Muammar Gaddafi commissioned the mosque as a gift to Uganda, and for the benefit of the Muslim population.

(Credit: Maria Wamala)


The completed mosque was opened officially in June 2007 under the name Gaddafi National Mosque, and housed the head offices of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. It was renamed 'Uganda National Mosque' in 2013 following the death of Colonel Gaddafi as the new Libyan administration was reportedly reluctant to rehabilitate the mosque under the old name.

(Credit: Maria Wamala) 

 


______________________________


BULANGE & LUBIRI

The group was also at Bulange Mengo and Lubiri, the royal compound of the king of Buganda.

They were received by Katikkiro (Buganda Prime Minister) Charles Peter Mayiga.

(Credit: Maria Wamala)


The Ganda culture cannot be complete without a dollop of traditional dances.

(Photo: Maria Wamala)


There was a whole load of stuff to see for the visitors.

(Photo: Maria Wamala)

 


______________________________
 
And after a busy but satisfying morning of sightseeing around the city, the group retired to Serena for lunch.

(Photo: Maria Wamala)


The afternoon was not short of entertainment.

(Photo: Maria Wamala)


In fact, some delegates tapped into their percussion potential.

(Photo: Maria Wamala)


What an engaging day it was!

(Photo: Maria Wamala) 


Vibrant performances were on show.

(Photo: Maria Wamala)


______________________________

alt=''

 
 A TRIP TO THE NILE

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});