Activities

Climbing the Mysterious Kagulu Hill

Are you an adventure enthusiast looking for an activity that will refresh your body and make you appreciate the mysteries of nature? Kagulu Hill in eastern Uganda is your place to be for an unforgettable hill climbing experience. Kagulu Hill stands at 10,000 feet above sea level, is comprised of huge rocks and offers tourists with a challenging yet exhilarating hill climbing experience that is impossible to forget for a real l0ng time. It is said that Kagulu hill was the first settlement area in Busoga Kingdom. If hill climbing is your favorite activity, climbing the Kagulu bill is a must do while on a Ugandan safari through Eastern Uganda.

This fantastic Kagulu Rocks are found on the Kagulu hill in Bugabula sub-county of Buyende district (that was recently separated from Kamuli district) in the Eastern side of Uganda. It is believed that the founding fathers of Busoga Kingdom rested on Kagulu hill in Buyende district while transversing to Busoga from Bunyoro on Lake. The Shiny rocks and grey Caves on this Hill are now habitats of several Primates which you might see on a lucky day.

This Hill is full of mysterious tales, a number of which you will hear before climbing the hill while others will be told in the process of climbing. Before you embark on the life changing mountain climbing adventure to this historical site, you will be required to first greet the custodians/caretakers of the Kagulu Rocks who are said to be some of the survivors of the Bachwezi. The authoritative custodians have their residencies  within the grass-thatched huts but have mysterious powers to call upon the elderly women on top of the hill to let her know of anything they would desire to pass on to the locals in Buyende.

At the top of the hill is where you will see a big hut that functions as the main house and a small hut in the compound that is occupied by an elderly woman who is believed to have a cure to most diseases. This elderly woman – called Mandwa Kagulu Nabiryo is believed to be the mouthpiece/oracle of the gods, haunted by the 45 spirits that own and patrol the Kagulu Hill and she has a shrine at the peak of the Hill.

The Hill has two starting points for climbing, of which one is on the Northern side and the other one being on the Southern side, and is where climbing steps are to make climbing relatively easier. Much as no one will force you to go up to the peak of the hill, it is very rewarding to reach the top where you will be amazed by the breathtaking views of the countryside. The Climb always starts with anxiety but you will definitely enjoy climbing the Kagulu Hill and feel fulfilled for reaching the top. The climbing Steps/staircase on the Southern side of the Hill was constructed on the orders of President Idi Amin Dada who was excited by the astonishing view it rewarded him of the surrounding Teso, Busoga and Lango regions.

Climbing to the Peak of Kagulu Hill transverses through six small rocks which are believed to be Mukama’s wives and they include Mpanga, Kagweese, Butadewo, Kagweere, Muwaale and Bukolimo. Nevertheless, the legends dispute and claim that the Caves were sanctuaries to the ancient settlers in Busoga region. The most attractive attraction on this Hill is the small Lake at its summit that attracts tourists and locals from all over the Busoga region to received blessings from the ancestors-it is believed that the Lake is a source of blessings. However, it is said that the blessings depend on how you ask from the gods and what exactly you desire. It is believed that the mysterious Lake doesn’t dry up regardless of the intensity of the dry season and drought. When you offer sacrifices and gifts such as throwing coins into the water of the Lake, you will be rewarded greatly by the gods.

In conclusion, the Kagulu Hill is one of the adventurous sites but also a significant cultural and historical site in Busoga Kingdom. When you visit the site, you will be able to learn and understand about some of the region’s history..