The well of
life on Kagulu hill has offered the people in Busoga hope as many climb the
hill so as to get blessings from this supernatural small well.Kagulu hill is
found in Buyende district where the founding fathers of Busoga’s royal clan
rested as they moved from Bunyoro to Busoga via Lake Kyoga.Today Kagulu Hill
has become a must visit tourist site and many visitors go their mainly to see
this supernatural water that is said to cure people of their diseases. As a result,cultural safaris in this area have increased.This
hill is estimated to have more than 1000 year and its huge rocks on the side
are credited for an endless support to this holy site of Busoga.
Kagulu hill
is subject of many mysterious tales many of them concerning its supernatural cultural background.
Every king to-be of Busoga (Kyabazinga) has to climb this hill on his
coronation day. In Busoga this is known as a ‘holy journey for the King’ and
the main reason is that the king has to go up the hill and consult the gods of
Busoga so as he is provided with Knowledge and wisdom to lead the Kingdom.
Climbing the hill
The journey
to the top of the hill is interesting as you get a chance to see beautiful
small shiny grey and black rocks which tradition says they were wives of the
first king of Busoga.Around the hill there are also dark caves that are said to
have been the hiding place for the king in times of war.
Up the hill
is more attractive than the lower parts of this 10000 feet above sea level hill.
This is simply because of the small attractive well that contains water that is
said to be holy. This wall attracts people from all over Busoga who believe it
gives good fortune. The residents claim that this well does not dry up even in
drought times.Ngobi Fahad one of the residents of Kagulu said the water is a
source of blessing but he added that it depends on what and how much you want
from the gods. He also noted that dropping a coin into the water earns you a
reward from the ancestors.
It is said
that there is an oracle on this hill that is haunted by the 46 spirits that own
and patrol the hill, and she is known as Mandwa Kagulu Nabiryo.She has a shrine
at the top of the hill and always people enter it for blessings. Also on top of
the hill there are multicolored snakes with two heads, two wells, and a dugout
canoe that belongs to Nabiryo.
The spirits
on the hill are harmless to the visitors and today many tourists climb the hill
to have a glimpse on the wonders of African magic. Also a number of men and
women climb the hill to ask the gods to strengthen their marriages and also
bless them. Although the water of the well seems to be dirty, people still take
it so as to show their seriousness in what they are seeking.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Kampala
taxi park, its 86km to Kamuli town in the Eastern part of Uganda. From Kamuli town,
you board to Buyende town 30km west of the town. While in Buyende town, you are
already at the place since its just 2km from the town to Kagulu village. The
whole journey takes 4-6 hours.
Other than reading about this adventurous place,a wonderful cultural safari is the best idea.
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