Buyende, (UG): Hundreds of thousands of people on Saturday converged at Kagulu in Kagulu sub county, Buyende district to be part of the Kagulu rock climbing challenge 2023, a ceremony which is commemorated every year to promote the tourism site of Busoga sub region.
The rock climbing challenge was presided over by Uganda’s first Deputy Prime Minister and East African Affairs Minister, Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and the Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom His Royal Highness William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope Kadhumbula IV as the chief climber.
This year’s preparations were based on the theme of; Creating employment through digital tourism.
A number of dignitaries were involved both from the Kingdom boundaries and others from the entire country as well as ambassadors of other countries in Uganda namely from Pakistan and Turkey.
Clad in casual attires, the Kyabazinga HRH Gabula climbed the 3,600 feet rock up to the top and he returned in cheers before addressing his subjects at the historical site where he was joined by Busoga Kingdom royal chiefs and others from the Kingdom administration led by the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muvawala Nsekere Mutamba and the Minister for Tourism and Heritage in Busoga Kingdom Ms Hellen Namutamba Oluga.
The Kyabazinga stressed the need for development partners in Busoga to emphasize the development of tourism sites in the region and commended the central government through the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for the support to the Busoga tourism ministry, adding that the sub-region is rich in tourism sites and there is only a need to develop them.
“Busoga is a tourism region and I want to emphasize this and it’s on this note that I encourage all our development partners to continue supporting us in uplifting the tourism status of Busoga. Busoga has got tourism capital and we need to emphasize this for the development of Busoga,” Kyabazinga said.
The Busoga kingdom leader commended Rt Hon Kadaga for her struggle in promoting Busoga tourism sites saying; “I thank Rt Hon Kadaga for your works in Busoga especially promoting tourism. You haven’t ended in Kagulu alone but even other parts of Busoga.”
He also thanked friends of Busoga for always attending the annual function and also appreciated people in Budiope (Buyende district) for the good hospitality to the people who attend the rock climbing day on an annual basis.
The first deputy prime minister of Uganda and minister for East African affairs Rt Hon Kadaga pleaded with the investors through the ambassadors of other countries to have a cable car which can ease the journey to the top of the rock for those who may not be able to use the steps.
“We need to lobby people who can build a cable car that can take someone from the group to the top without hiking passed the steps. Those able to go by cable car can go while others can go by the steps. We ask you if possible to get an investor and work on this,” Minister Kadaga said.
The Woman MP for Buyende district Hon Nakato Mary Annet on behalf of the political wing commended the Kyabazinga and Rt Hon Kadaga for promoting tourism in Busoga saying they have been key in putting the region on the tourism map.
She however stressed the need to have a presidential skilling initiative in Buyende district given the increasing number of children who can utilize it for their benefit in development and job creation.
“I want to appreciate our Kyabazinga for the initiative of skilling our girls who got dropped out of schools after being impregnated during COVID-19 time. I request the first deputy prime minister of Uganda Rt Hon Kadaga and the one of Busoga to work tirelessly such that we secure a skilling centre in Buyende district besides the one in Nakabango, Jinja because we have over 1000 children who can utilize it once it’s set-up,” Hon Nakato said.
Meanwhile, the Miss Tourism Busoga 2023/2024, Ms. Tenywa Mercy from Butembe chiefdom was also crowned on D-day together with the first and second runner-ups; Ms Kasoga Winnie from Bukooli chiefdom and Ms Naigaga Latifah from Bulamogi chiefdom respectively.
The Busoga Kingdom through the Tourism Minister Ms Hellen Namutamba Olga also unveiled the Kingdom’s Tourism Ambassadors; Talyaka Nuhumani aka Silcon Avokoz and Kakaire Mutwahilu aka Acidic Vokoz, the artistes, whose responsibilities are to bring on Board their fellow artistes, discovering new talents and also promoting Busoga to the highest.
The function was attended by among others the Iganga high court resident judge David Batema, former Uganda electoral commission boss Eng Badiru Kiggundu, the Busoga royal chiefs and other Kingdom administrators, ambassadors of other foreign countries, Hon MPs and cultural leaders.
History of of Kagulu Rock
It’s believed that the founders of Busoga Kingdom led by Mukama Namutukula, a Prince from Bunyoro kingdom and his wife Nawudo escaped from leadership crashes after the death of his father and settled at Kagulu Rock via Lake Kyoga.
From here, they gave birth to five sons whom they left in charge of various parts of Busoga before going back to the Bunyoro land.
The Kaguru rock climbing challenge day has been conducted over the years since 2013 unlike in 2020 when the day wasn’t honored due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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