Are you
interested in extra-ordinary cultural experiences but you do not know where to
go for a cultural safari in Uganda? Situated in Central Uganda, Southeast of
Dyango and Lubato-Nambesa and west of Ggambirana comes the Mpumudde hill at altitude
1223 meters. Mpumudde hill is a famous historical and cultural site where the
late Omukama of Bunyoro-Kabalega rested from. Kabalega became one of the
popular Ugandans to oppose colonialism and it is believed that he died while
returning to Bunyoro after serving his exile term in Kenya. He passed on at
about 86 years back, a time when Busoga Kingdom was awe stricken and hundreds of
locals carried stones to mark the hill where he passed on. The word Mpumudde in
Ganda denotes “I have rested!” It is believed that Kabalega when urged to move
on, told his friends in local language (Kinyoro) that “Mpumwire”-I have rested.
Up to date this exceptional hill is termed as Mpumudde. The hill belongs to the
Busoga Kingdom and it is on this same hill that the chiefs of Busoga made a
small cairn of stones in to commemorate the British Administrator Mr. F. Spire.
Most
culturalists and anthropologists view this extra ordinary site as a potential
tourist attraction that would generate Busoga a lot of revenue each year
although there are no sign posts to direct anyone to this remarkable cultural
spot. On its peak you will find a multi colored dilapidated monument which is
constructed with fired blocks and parts of it plastered. Behind the monument
there is a heap of stones covered under lantana camara shrubs and a tall mutuba
tree stands out. Mpumudde lies about 2 kilometers away from Kamuli Road in
Jinja Municipality. Kabalega and Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda fought colonial occupation
in the late 19th century. Kabalega had staged an eight year guerilla
war but due to their patriotic efforts, the British forces captured them on
April 4th 1899 in Dokolo, Northern Uganda in the house owned by
Langi chief. Upon their capture, the two were exiled to the Seychelles Islands
in the Indian Ocean where Mwanga passed on in 1903.
Kabalega
remained in captivity for several years till he was allowed to come back. But
unfortunately, while on his return journey to Bunyoro in 1923, he became sick
in Jinja as a result of Malaria and fatigue. His servants who used to carry him
on the shoulders decided to climb what came to be known as “Mpumudde hill to
permit the King to rest and resume his safari later. The unfortunate bit of it
is that Kabalega’s conditions worsened while on the hill’s top. The bodyguards
then carried his body to Namasagali landing site on Lake Kyoga which is
approximately 80 kilometers from Jinja. They transported Kabalega’s body by
canoe to Masindi from where they again carried the body up to Mparo, Hoima
where he was laid to rest.
Mpumudde
hill seems to be forgotten especially from the 1970s but some elders and
cultural leaders of Busoga still regard it with much reverence due to the
spiritual powers attached to it and interestingly the Kyabazinga also
originated from Mpumudde. At the time when the government restored monarchies
in 1996, the Busoga royals turned the hill into the coronation site for the
Kyabazinga Henry. It is on this hill still that the king’s witch doctors cleanse
the Kyabazinga during coronation. During such rituals each of the eleven
chiefdoms constructs a grass thatched hut on the hill and then slaughter goats,
sheep, chicken and many more animals and sprinkle the blood around. Kabalega’s
spirits perform miracles. Besides fighting the British, it is also evident that
in Busoga Kabalega is viewed as a man of fortunes. It is a healing hill to most
residents, and most women have been sighted trekking from far to visit the hill
for cleansing and after their prayers are answered, they come back and
slaughter chicken and goats for the residents.
In
conclusion, when it comes to cultural safaris in Africa, Uganda is
exceptionally a boiling pot of cultures. The Mpumudde hill features as one of
the most rewarding cultural spots that you shouldn’t miss to visit in Busoga
while on your safari to Uganda.
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