Attractions
Forest fauna and flora/ Mukono is endowed with a wealth of natural attractions
ranging from a moderate climate to beautiful scenery.
The district borders lakes Victoria to the east and lake Kyoga to the north and
river Nile, which separates it from Jinja district to the north-east.
There are vast natural forests in the district, like Mabira forest, with a wide
diversity of flora and fauna.
Mabira forest Reserve
The Center is located in the tropics north of Lake Victoria Shoreline immediately
to the West of the Nile. It covers an area of 306km sq. it is the biggest Forest
reserve in Central Uganda and its one of the few surviving rain forests remaining
in Uganda.
Mabira is well known for Eco-Tourism, this started way back in 1984.Among its
attractions it has over 300 species among which are rare species, like species
are the pied Hornbills, Sunbirds, Grey Parrots, Crowned Eagles, Black-billed
Turacos attracting large numbers of bird watchers and the endangered species
Nahan's Frankolin.
The forest has trees and shrubs, which make up over 312 species among which
some are medicinal and others are of other values.
Forest walks
Among the services offered to tourists are guided forest walks, band accommodation,
camping sites, picnic sites and environmental education and entertainment with
local drama groups. There is a network of trails to facilitate the exploration
of the forest.
Najjembe Forest Centre
This Center stands at the head of the trail network and comprises of the project
of file, display room, dining room, bird watching plat form as well as camp
shelter and modest banda accommodation.
The Center has common bird species which are a tourist attraction these include
the Pied Hornbill, Superb Sunbird, Grey Parrot and others. The forest also has
a verdant of tree species.
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the world's second largest fresh water lake and certainly
the largest in Africa. The lake has huge water resources and provides the fishing
industry with some of the rare fish species including the Tilapia, Nile Perch
and Mad fish.
As a tourist attraction, the lake is a lasting source of pleasure. Key attractions
on the lake include water sports e.g., sport fishing, Rafting, canoeing, cruises
and sailing.
Buvuma Island
A few miles away from the mainland is Buvuma Island, which is part of Mukono
district.
The island offers splendid beauty through its diverse fauna and flora. It has
dense tropical forests with a range of rare bird, animal and plant species.
The island has some of the uncommon unspoilt sandy beaches.
A major activity on the island is fishing, which could be a good pass time
sport. The island has good camping sites for holidaymakers and the adventurers.
Sezibwa falls
In the middle of the district runs river Sezibwa, believed by Buganda legend
to have been born by one 'Nakangu Tibatesa' the wife to Mr. 'Nsubuga Sebwaato'
in Kawuna, Ngongwe sub county around the time of the Christian biblical prophet
Isaiah.
The river flows into lake Kyoga. The nature of its birth makes the river a
cultural symbol of great importance to Buganda's heritage.
A major tourist and cultural site along the river is the Sezibwa waterfalls
situated 2.5 km off Kampala-Jinja highway at Kayanja, Kawolo sub county, 7 miles
from Mukono town. The falls offer beautiful scenery for tourists and those in
love of nature. Next to the falls is a spacious ground for campers and holidaymakers.
The site also has a natural forest, which has forest walks ensuring the viewing
of birds for bird watchers. It is believed that over 100 bird species and some
wild animals including rare species of monkeys could be found in this place
alone.
As part of the Sezibwa attractions, is a cave commonly known by cultural worshipers
as 'embuga ya Jajja Musoke' (translated, the home of grand father 'Musoke'),
which is inhabited by one 'Nalongo', a python (snake) the mother of twins.
The 'Nalongo' or python is what is known as 'Jajja Musoke'.
Cultural worshippers and people seeking blessing and healing visit the cave
to consult with the 'jajja' on all sorts of matters.
The worshippers are also blessed by one 'Jajja Omukongozi', a traditional healer
who lacks hair on his head, a trait believed to have been born with since his
childhood. On this very site is a tree, one 'Nkalati ', which is said to have
been planted by King Mwanga in 1889. Kabaka Mwanga and other kings are said
to have held meetings with subjects and county chiefs at the site. Today the
site is preserved as Buganda's heritage. The money collected from the visitors
is used to support the restoration of the place to its original setting before
its destruction in the 1970s by former President Idi Amin Dada, who feared that
the place was a hideout for rebels and anti-government agents.
River Nile
River Nile is the world's second longest river, with an estimated 4000 miles
(6400 km). The river is of great geographical and historical importance locally
and internationally.
In Uganda River Nile has a cultural importance as well as economic significance
as many communities along its shores derive their livelihood from fishing its
waters.
The falls along the Nile have cultural significance and have been considered
so for a long time.
In Egypt and Sudan, the river is considered to be the 'source of life' as its
waters are used to irrigate agriculture for multitudes of people living along
the river since time immemorial.
In recent times the many waterfalls along the river have provided generation
points for hydroelectric power.
The Source of the Nile
River Nile borders Mukono district on the eastern part, where it begins its
long journey, which takes it 3 months to the Mediterranean Sea.
A key feature on the river is the famous 'Source of the Nile', the point where
the Nile begins to flow from Lake Victoria. This point is visibly evident from
Njeru in Mukono district and offers beautiful scenery for tourists and holidaymakers.
The 32 meters deep waterfalls that Bishop Hannington Speke saw in 1862 and named
"Ripon Falls" after the President of the Royal Geographical Society
in London, submerged in 1947 on the construction of the giant Owen Falls Dam
(renamed Nalubale Dam by President Yoweri K. Museveni).
The dam completed in 1954 is used to generate hydro electric power. Although
claimed to have been discovered by Speke, the river had been seen by the local
communities from Mukono (Buganda) on the western side and Jinja (Busoga) on
the eastern side, who because of the falls was commonly called "Omugga
Kiyira".
On the eastern bank is a bay called "Napoleon Bay", where the waters
of Lake Victoria funnel into the Nile.
On the western bank of the river is an obelisk marking the spot where Speke
stood for hours when he saw the source of the River Nile, making it known to
the outside world.
Bujagali water falls
Rafting at Bujagali falls
A few kilometers from the Source of the Nile are two important attractions on
the river including Bujagali water rafting sites (shallower falls) and the deeper
water falls.
The rafting sites are a common feature for water rafting sports, fishing, and
swimming.
They offer very attractive scenery and are visited by lots of tourists and local
holidaymakers.
The deeper waterfalls are some 3 km from the rafting sites and offer an attraction
one should not miss seeing in a lifetime.
Cultural sites
Sezibwa Huts
Mukono district, also known as 'Kyaggwe' was one of the most important counties
of Buganda Kingdom.
The district has some of the oldest Buganda cultural sites among which are Nabitimba
cultural site, where to date Buganda's cultural drums are still kept.
Other cultural sites include Ngamba Islands in Koome, Sezimbwa falls, the mysterious
palace of Kintu, the legendary first Muganda, which is located in Dindo is an
impressive cultural site one should visit.
Kintu is a mythological first King of Buganda Kingdom, whose utensils and furniture
made of rocks remained in Dindo.
Plantation agriculture
Tea plantations
The countryside of Mukono offers fascinating scenery of the evergreen plantation
agriculture. Right from the introduction of plantation agriculture and industrialization
in Uganda in the early 1930s,
Mukono has been a major agricultural district supporting hugely the production
of coffee, cocoa, sugar and tea.
The extensive sugarcane, tea, cocoa, coffee and more recently vanilla plantations
have enhanced the environment.
The plantations hold a fascination for visitors driving through the district
and those who choose to stay in the tranquil countryside with the luxuriant
vegetation.
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