It was Tuesday morning when I made a move to Uganda Museum which was a starting point of my 4 days trips to Mbale mainly to EXPLORE ELGON. It was a campaign that was led by Uganda Tourism Board and The Ministry of Tourism campaigning about Exploring Elgon. The big number turned up since it was a free trip and celebrities showed up like Sheebah Karungi, chiko, Golola Moses and many more. Despite the fact that it was a Christmas season, there was a lot of jam along the way but the trip was led by the minister Martin who had the covey clearing the way until we were in Mbale where we stopped at Mbale Court view hotel.
While on the way to Mbale, we made a stopover at Nakiwojolo where we bought chicken, beefs, water & snacks and many more as we enjoy the Mabira forest and sugarcane plantation along the way. After reaching in Jinja which is known as a tourism city, we moved out of the buses as soon as we reached at the bridge, we had beautiful photos with the best view of the source of the Nile where we spotted canoes and make a walk along the bridge as our buses moved empty crossing the bride. It was a great time walking with the minister of Tourism, celebrities and meeting new people along Jinja city.
After the walk on the bridge, we all entered our buses and moved into Mbale City where we were welcomed at the Court View hotel with Bagisu traditional dance which excited every one and decided to join the dance. It was a great moment at the Hotel after we headed for a conference where we were welcomed by the MP mbale and other leaders. It was a such great time that everybody will live to remember. At the conference we were welcomed officially in mbale city and we slept in town about 3 nights as we explore the beautiful sceneries of the city that is a home of Thousands falls along Mount Elgon national park.
While in Mbale I slept at Kaddos safari lodge which was friendly, comfortable and affordable which accommodates singles, doubles and twins rooms. The lodge was facilitated with warm showering water, breakfast, seats, tables, mosquito net, television, flashing toilets and many more. The place was quiet and its security was high. That late evening, I decided to have a walk with my friends Raffutajari and Farouk. We moved along the downer town and we spotted a delicious meal as we decided to pass by when our stomachs are full of Bamasaba meals. We did some shopping in the market where I bought water and sweets that I had planned to donate it to the Bamasaba people along the way during the hiking of wanale hill on Mount Elgon. After that, we went back to the lodge and slept.
Early morning of day 2 in Mbale city, we walked up freshened up and went for breakfast at Reben Restaurant which was neighboring court view hotel which was our meeting point. At exactly 8am, we entered into buses and head for tree planting where we were also welcomed with their traditional dances that excited everyone to join. Later as we were heading to another activity which was hiking wanale hill, we all entered into our buses and drove for about 30 minutes to where it was our starting point at the foot hill of wanale hill. We hiked with the minister Martin, celebrities like Golola, madrat, chiko and many more. It was not an easy hike although some managed to make it to the top and were rewarded with medals for making. I personally won the medal and was really excited about it however the hiking wasn’t easy.
while on hiking, we met some local people washing clothes, other were farming, and harvesting. I hiked with two Sackets of sweets to give to the local people I was meeting along the way. I served sweets until on top of wanale hill. It was really a great experience for me to reach at the top where i spotted wanale falls as well as giving the best view of Mbale city.
After hiking we went to the zoo where we spotted camels, cows, Grey crowned crane, ostriches were they allowed us to feed them cabbages, we spotted a traditional doctor and local women cooking their local food called amalewa with matooke which I personally tasted by supporting their business. It was my first time to eat” amalewa” where bamboos are mixed in ground nuts. While I was eating, other two people joined me to enjoy” amalewa” food with me that was really delicious to the extent that buses almost left us while we were enjoying their meals. After entering the bus, we were all excited telling people what they have missed. We went back to our hotels for resting as we warm up for the next day.
Day 3 in Mbale, I waked up early morning, had breakfast and then head to Courts View Hotel which was our meeting point to set off to Sipi falls. while on the way, we spotted green vegetation and mountains which gives us the beautiful photos to remember. We were welcomed by Bamasamba people in Sipi town and led us to various falls within sipi. We were allowed to take many photos as we want as well as supporting their business about their coffee African Tea. After that we continued for abseiling on SIpi falls which I did and was really an amazing experience that I wish for everyone not to miss out while on Uganda safari. After abseiling, it was a serious hiking from the bottom side of sipi falls to the top which took about an hour hiking. As soon as we reached at the top I had to donate some of my clothes to the locals where some of them escorted us during hiking at Sipi. They were excited and I personally always feel happy when other people are happy. After the donation, we went into our buses and proceeded to kapchorwa town for lunch. It was really a tiresome day due to serious hikes but despite of it all, we all managed to make it to the top. We drove back to Mbale city to our respective hotels for rest.
Finally the last day of our trip in Mbale city, we waked up early and had breakfast then head to Late Semei Kakunguru lodge and his Museum where we met the grandsons and other relatives of the late Semei Kakunguru the former general commander of Buganda Kingdom back in the days of Kabaka Mwanga 2. We went where he was buried, spotted various tombs for his wives that were buried outside and his brothers, spotted historical different drums that were called for wars as a source of communication and one thing I discovered at his lodge is that is green vegetation which gives the cool breeze of air while at the lodge and gives the best view of Mbale city.
After the visiting, we went back to Kampala however the exploring Elgon gave us a story to tell as well as writing.
