Kagulu Hill: The rocky adventure

It towers high and from a distance, there are visible movements on it. As you draw closer, you see people, mostly children almost effortlessly running up and down, a fete that older and unfit folks can only envy. The all-imposing Kagulu rocks on Kagulu hill is located in one of the five traditional principalities of the kingdom of Busoga called Bugabula, Buyende District, which was recently in Kamuli District in eastern Uganda.

To trace the history of this rock on a hill, Edward Baliddawa, MP Kigulu County North, Iganga District, explains that Kagulu, which rises to 10,000ft above sea level, is believed to be the first migration and settlement centre in the Busoga region.

“The hill and the surrounding areas have a historical attachment to the formation of Busoga and hence exude a lot of cultural heritage for the Basoga,” he explains as he points to the grey and black gigantic rock with dots of green.

Before we can proceed to this historical site, we have to greet the caretakers of the rocks, who from Baliddawa, I learn that are some of the remnants of the Bachwezi. They live in grass-thatched huts but possess powers which Baliddawa says will at times call on one of the elderly women in this compound up the hill to inform her of whatever they would like to tell the locals in Buyende.

Besides the big hut which should be the main house, there is a smaller hut in the compound where the elderly lady says she cures many diseases. “We were told Kadaga is coming, what happened?” She asks Baliddawa, who is here as a representative of Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament, who travelled to South Africa.

“She had to travel but promised she will be here in May,” Baliddawa assures the elderly lady which calms her and prompts a smile on her hardened face.

He goes on to sign the visitor’s book before taking us around the hill. There are two points at which one can climb the rock, one to the northern side and the other to the southern side where there are some climbing metallic steps. And whereas it is no mean fete to get to the top, it is worth the try.

In fact, a challenge is on this May where local and foreign tourists will be taking part in a challenge under the dub, Kagulu Hill Climbing Challenge, between May 10 and May 12.

“This will be a chance for you to test your stamina and endurance by participating in this rock climbing competition,” Baliddawa explains to a group of locals at the slope of the hill before encouraging them to find more information at the www.busogatourism.com website.

He adds, “Our goal is to make this challenge competitive as much exciting and hence, we have packaged it in a two-day safari Kagulu hill Challenge Competition.”

It will not be a big challenge to the teenagers who go up the hill every day for pleasure but for me and you who hardly walk a kilometre a day. The friends this reporter travelled with were all soaked in sweat by the time they descended to the foot of the hill.

“It is an excellent experience even for me who has been on this circuit several times. Although I have watched the Kagulu adventure from below, it is such a wonderful experience. If anything, we brought excitement and hope to the village. You could see the enthusiasm on all the faces of the locals who turned up to witness,” Baliddawa added.

When you get to the top of the hill, you can view the beautiful waterfalls flowing from the top of the rocks, the ancient caves and Lake Kyoga at a confluence with river Nile. Kagulu hill is not only famous for its height and the challenge it offers to those who dare to climb it, but it also has caves which offered sanctuary to the early settlers of the area. Baliddawa shares more history connecting to this historical rock explaining that Bunyoro kings sought sanctuary and spent their leisure time on this hill.

He adds, “It is also believed that the caves were discovered around 1686 when Olimi was king of Bunyoro. It is said that Prince Mukama was among the first Bunyoro traditional rulers to conquer Busoga and to settle in the caves on Kagulu hill.”

These are located at the bottom of the hill, and one can take shelter there from the scotching sun in this part of eastern Uganda which does not have a lot of trees.

When you get to the top of the rock, you will be rewarded with panoramic sceneries of Busoga at an eagle eye’s view, and places beyond.

Plus, there is a small house which offers shelter from the sun though the breeze is relaxing enough.

[email protected]