RIVER NYAMWAMBA AND ITS MYSTERY

While on safari in Uganda, expect to enjoy more than just wildlife species! If there are a few unique destinations that you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit while on safari in this beautiful country then Kasese is one of them. Like other destinations, Kasese is credited not just for its splendid and extensive savanna plains, the magnificent mountains of the Moon, parks especially the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park but its dramatic River Nyamwamba is such amazing place with unique traditions and mysterious history for you to explore. It runs from Mount Rwenzori via Kilembe Valley, Kasese Municipality and Queen Elizabeth National Park and finally empties its water in Lake Edward.

Its existence comes with both positive and negative impacts especially for those that stay along its banks and not to exclude the region as a whole. Interestingly, it offers them water that helps in irrigation purposes, home use and influences the climatic conditions of the area. However, mystery attached to it may make one to wonder if there is any kind similar to what this River has had. Its flooding is another thing! But traditions of the Bakonzo have a lot more to tell. There is a belief that severe shining in the region denotes the River will consume a person and because of this, children are never allowed to get in it or even just near this water body and this information is always told to all generations. For those who ignore the alert have ended up being consumed while others get stuck in it till goats and chicken are sacrificed as away free them. Others simply disappear.

The Bakonzo who live here are deeply into traditions and this water body has become a worshiping ground for most of them. They believe that Ndyoka the god of all rivers lives in this water body and in case he is not happy with what locals do, he expresses his annoyance further. It has had more impacts for the last few years compared to what it did around 2013. Locals believe that danger is occurring given that the spiritual mediums ‘Batahwa’ who are responsible of cleansing the river are losing their lives so quickly that the community remains with no mediator with the water body. Unfortunately, the prominent leaders especially Mburamushenyi could study more about the behavior of this river, throws herbs and sacrifice animals as away to appease its gods but when passed on, the water body isn’t easily controlled.

In conclusion, River Nyamwamba is dramatic in its own way and a visit to it while you are on safari in Uganda rewards you thrilling traditions and history.