MBALE, UGANDA: In the direction to upgrade the historic environment in Mbale, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) is currently working to safeguard historic buildings in Mbale City and Bugisu as a sub region.
On Friday, CCFU featured in a fundraising function at Kakungulu heritage tourist site at Gagama hill, Namayonyi sub county in Mbale northern division of Mbale City to raise funds for the tourist site rehabilitation and maintenance.
The foundation also launched a campaign aimed at safeguarding and promoting historic buildings, sites and monuments in Mbale.
The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Mbale Northern Division, Ms Prossy Mwanjuzi pledged that government will support CCFU activities and ‘Inzu ya Masaba’ (the historic building at Kakungulu heritage site) to promote cultural heritage since it presents potential for tourism in the city.
“Since tourism is a source of tax to the government, we pledge to support CCFU and Inzu ya Masaba to promote cultural heritage. It presents potential for tourism in the City as well.” RCC Mwanjuzi said.
Ms Mwanjuzi however, urged people of Mbale to emphasize unity for development of their culture and refrain from unnecessary fights amongst themselves.
“I also urge you to be united for development of your culture and stop unnecessary fights amongst yourselves,” Mwanjuzi said before emphasizing that the government is interested in working with an organized group.
CCFU Executive Director, Ms Barbra Babweteera rallied Locals to love the tourism industry and pleaded for support from the government in promoting the industry.
“I urge you people of Mbale city and Uganda at large to love and promote tourism. We also request for support from the government as far as promoting tourism is concerned”, Ms Babweteera said.
She said they are safeguarding these sites because they are an integral part of whom they are.
“We must safeguard historic buildings, sites and monuments in Bugisu because they are an integral part of who we are,” Babweteera said before appreciating the embassy of Ireland in Uganda for supporting the documentation of the 4 historic buildings at the site where she cited that it is a wake up call for everyone to safeguard their cultural heritage treasures.
Meanwhile, the great-granddaughter of Semei Kakungulu, Ms. Racheal Kakungulu commissioned the construction of the Semei Kakungulu country lodge and museum in which his artifacts will be preserved and showcased.
While commissioning it together with the RCC Ms Mwanjuzi, Racheal Kakungulu requested to support their developments in any way to boost tourism in Mbale city.
“We request the government of Uganda to support these developments since they are key in promoting tourism,” she said.
Racheal Kakungulu says that; “historic buildings, sites, and monuments define us. They beautify our towns and cities and we immensely generate revenue from them. We should therefore protect them.”
One of the cultural leaders in Bugisu sub-region commended CCFU for responding with the initiative pointing out that there were so many historic places in the 1960’s unlike these days.
“It is true, there were so many historic places in the 1960’s. This city was very beautiful. I remember the green parks. This generation is unfortunate to have not seen it. We thank CCFU for bringing this initiative to us,” he said.
CCFU ended the day by unveiling an information board at Semei Kakungulu House and awarding young people who won the video competition.
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