BUYENDE- We set off at Javas in Jinja and the journey took about 2 hours with of course some stopovers for refreshments like water, fruits and other bites to make the journey enjoyable.
We hit Kamuli road which was well tarmacked which is an advantage to the site since it is gaining traction as a formidable tourist destination in the region.
The team reached Kamuli and veered off to the road that heads to Buyende where our site is situated. This was for about an hour.
It was a murrum road better than some tarmacked ones in Kampala town with some potholes which is a plus for this far- flung rocky tourist destination driving traction in the East .
In our Caravan, the residents knew that we were headed to Kagulu at some point they directed our drivers and for the children they wondered what was going to happen that side since to some of them it was their first time to see many vehicles headed there plus those high – perched tourist vehicles that were part of the fleet and some waved to us.
On our way to the murrum road to Kagulu rocks, we barely found or saw cars coming from the opposite direction which validated the power of tourism and its benefits that trickled down to the local communities.
In our briefing, we were told to pack hiking shoes, comfortable clothing and most importantly carry water to keep us hydrated as we embarked on the expedition and this was duly respected by the team.
As we stretched further, we also found out that the community grows rice especially in the swampy areas besides the usual sugarcane plantations known for the region. Some little kids were seen swimming in swamps while others waved at us before reaching the road heading to Mpumudde.
We drove farther to Ngole and made a right turn and at this point, One could see the ranges of the rocks which was an indicator we were headed in the right direction.
We successfully reached the bottom of the rocks and one could vividly see that there was activity going on because even the locals were ready there waiting for us with welcoming dances and chants.
THE HIKING EXPERIENCE
I had donned the right attire as per the advice given to us by the organisers which was a pair of comfortable shorts and snickers and I was good to go.
Mentally, I was ready for the experience since I had done the Kibiro salt mine hike last year which is tougher than this. We reached the base, the vibe was real and one could tell it from the communities who had eagerly waited for us in a sizeable number and the signage with brief history of Kagulu and another rock painted white with messages such as ” Welcome to Kagulu Rock” created that perfect mood for the much anticipated hike.
I started in full gear hitting fast the cemented steps that had metallic rails that were very clear and demarcated.
Since we were very many in hundreds, I could not move fast and proper timing was not possible because others took their time, rested and took their pace which antagonised my estimated pace.
I did the role of a cheerleader and reminded them of how many steps were left to reach the peak.
At some moment, there was a monument that one sees and we thought it was the peak yet it was not.
As we moved up, you could see other kids descending down on the rocks away from the demarcated trail flawlessly without any fear which gave us the energy that it was very doable, and indeed it was.
On the way up, some of the people took the game early and were seen taking selfies, videos as evidence that they had made it to the great rocky hills in Buyende district which is the beauty with tourism.
This was fun- filled because it was one of the major activities that I had planned to do without fail and I successfully accomplished my mission.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT KAGULU ROCKS
1. UNDULATING ROCKS .
The now famous rocks have gained a lot of traction for the past few years and this has been deliberate with efforts of the Busoga Tourism and Heritage, Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities and it’s Campaigns such such as Explore Busoga, Bunyoro and others , Uganda Tourism Board and off course private and other entities with the love of promoting tourism at heart.
These rocks are seen from far as one approaches Kagulu though there are smaller hills apart from the major one that is usually hiked with walking wands.
2. CAVES
According to history, these were said to be the residence of Prince Mukama Namutukula of Bunyoro who used to settle there with his family as they moved away from Bunyoro to Busoga. They are vividly dark and some people were advised to go there and seek blessings so that they could prosper in their endeavours .They are on the other part of the rock slightly away from the peak.
3. VIEW OF LAKE KYOGA
This is one of Uganda’s fresh water swampy lakes that we have. While at the peak of the rocks, that spectacular view of the water body is seen at the other side of the rock which is usually called ” WindWard side” which complements the beauty of the rocks giving it that mirage view.
4. PRINCE MUKAMA NAMUTUKULA STATUE
In remembrance of this great prince of Bunyoro Mukama Namutukula from the Babiito Clan who moved to the East of Bunyoro towards Kamuli around the 16th Century with his wife Nawudo, subjects, arms and dogs as part of the Bunyoro expansionist policy settled at Kagulu with his five sons.
Namutukula set up a residence at Kagulu and lived in the caves as his base while doing farming and animal rearing.
On the other side of the rock, a huge and tall statue was erected in honor of this formidable leader of Bunyoro and Busoga who is said to have given birth to the present day Busoga Kingdom.
5. KAGULU ROCK PEAK
This is approximately 3,600 feet or 1,000 metres above the sea level. This is high enough and one is able to have a bird’s view with wide coverage of Buyende district for about 3 miles away.
This is the ultimate goal of any hiker to reach the peak. As soon as they reach, photo moments take the biggest portion of the time either through selfies, videos or still photos as evidence that they have hit the bulls eye and this is done at the signage with ” Finally at Kagulu Rock Peak 3,600 fft, Congratulations !”.
6. VIEWING SHELTER MONUMENTS
There are some site view monuments that are being worked upon and these are located at various edges of the rocky hills. The first one is visibly seen at the bottom of the rock while the other is one is at the peak of the rock including the one that was built by President Amin for a botched mast project.
7. PRESIDENT IDI AMIN’S TRAIL
It said that as president Idi Amin was flying in his helicopter when he observed the Kagulu Rocks and was impressed by their strategic location and beautiful scenery.
He suggested that they would be used as a military base due to their height and location, he later thought of setting up a place as a residence and eventually decided they set up masts to ease communication.
In all this, he visited the site and a path was established and it is now the current trail that is used to get to the peak.
8. COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS
The Basoga have got one of the best dances in Uganda this simply because of the energy and the way they shake their waists to entertain the guests. This was the same for us and it was one of the ways they welcomed us to the mighty rocks.
Their rich culture is one of the things one can enjoy through the stories told by the guides while walking you through the hiking.
TITBITS ABOUT KAGULU
History has it that the Basoga migrated from Bunyoro across Lake Kyoga around the 16th century and settled at the caves at the bottom of the rocks.
The caves were discovered in 1686, during the reign of Olimi I the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom back then .
During that time Bunyoro, which was a strong Empire, conquered Busoga with Prince Mukama Namutukula together with the royal guards, dogs and arms and his family evaded this area. He later made the caves as his personal residence.
With his team, they landed by boat near the shores of Lake Kyoga and it is about 10 kilometres away from the site.
Most people know Kagulu but there are other smaller hills that include ; Kagwese, Mawaale, Mpanga, Nakyeere, Bukolimo and Butadewo.
