THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF BUBEMBE ISLAND

Bubembe Island is one of the 84 Ssese Islands also popular as islands in Lake Victoria. This dramatic Island is situated within Kalangala district, northwestern side of Lake Victoria. Religiously, it is popular to the demi gods of Buganda as a home of the temple of Mukasa. Mukasa was a known giver of oracle a kindly deity who didn’t need any human sacrifice and this island served as an ideal area where messages were got from Mukasa. Myths have it that during Mukasa’s younger age, he refused to feed on ordinary food and disappeared from home but he was found on this island while sitting under a huge tree. He was taken to a garden where he was lifted on to the rock as most people feared to offer him refuge in their houses with assumption that he was a spirit. However, they constructed for him a hut on the rock. They never knew what to offer him to eat a fact that he refused eat their food but when they slaughtered an ox, he asked for its blood, heart and liver and this made them realize that he was a god and consulted him in any kind of challenges. Mukasa stayed on the Bubembe Island for years, got married 3 (three) wives, was cared for by priests and at the end disappeared just he did at the time he came. His temple was a conical reed hut that was re-constructed at intervals under orders of the King. Initially, it is believed that Mukasa spoke his will directly to the priests though after they used mediums who disclosed his messages. The medium didn’t enter the temple but had a special hut in front of it. While seeking to know about his will, the medium smoked some tobacco till the spirit appeared before her and then she announced in the shrill voice what was to be done. The medium wasn’t permitted to marry or even walk about in the sight of men or communicate to any man but the priest and once selected held the office until death.

Bubembe Island is remarkably a hidden treasure that you should consider a must to explore. Besides its dramatic cultural treasures, the island also boasts of its rare wildlife species, forests and swamps. For birders on Uganda safari, this island is one of the best birding areas that you should pay a visit to explore variety of unique birds. The virtually untouched land is endowed with bird species like the whale headed stork, herons, geese, grey parrot, kingfishers, fish eagles, weaver birds, flycatchers, horn bills, Turacos, paradise catcher and many others. There are several wildlife species for you to spot out in the island especially waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and several beautiful butterflies.

How to get to Bubembe Island

Bubembe Island can be reached within 9 (nine) hours from Port Bell or 45 minutes using a local ferry from Bukakata. From Bugala Island, you will spend about (3) three hours on boat ride to Bukasa Island or two hours to Bubembe. Banda Island is another remarkable island of the Ssese group and it is 3 hours if you are using a boat from Bugala.

In conclusion, Bubembe Island is one of the most spectacular and dramatic natural wonders within the large fresh Lake in Africa-Lake Victoria that you should count a must to visit to explore variety of its hidden treasures. Visit this island and you will be amazed by unique attractions right from cultures to wildlife species that make this island very special on its own.