Tribal clashes in Kasese affect cultural safaris in Uganda

At first,the impact was not felt but after sometime,it has been noticed that the recent tribal conflicts in Kasese,Uganda have affected cultural safaris in this country.It was last week when gun men attacked the palace of the recently installed Bamba king,the omundingya.It is said that the attackers were not satisfied with the installation of this kingdom saying that theirs was left out yet its the origin of the Bamba.

These clashes left many people killed and many injures still nursing wounds in hospitals fighting for their lives.It is not yet clear why the attackers tried to kill the omundingya of Bamba but the Ugandan government is still investigating the matter.

Though it sounds like a movie,its a fact and many people have lost their loved ones in the attacks.This has not only affected the local people but also foreigners who were planning to tour the area on a cultural safari since they will have to postpone the trip till peace is reinstalled in the area.

The government has lost a lot especially in terms of revenue as tourists are discouraged to visit the area fearing that they may loose their lives in the clashes which are feared to be associated with tribalism.In the longrun,its the government that is loosing out on revenue as the 'would have collected revenue' is lost.

Different tour operators in the country have vowed to the government to act as quick as possible in making sure that Kasese is safe again to avoid discouraging tourists who had planned to visit the area specifically for culture tour.

Art Festival to be held in Uganda - cultural safaris

In August 2014,Uganda is expected to hold an annual Art festival which will help to exhibit the various artistic objects the country has.This is one of the special events the country boosts of and there is a lot of wonders expected to be witnessed.As you plan your safari to Uganda in August,make it a point to attend this adventurous event and stand a chance of having a visual experience of some of the rare objects only found in Uganda.

African bag

Blessed with over 40 cultural settings, Uganda is the leading cultural destination in Africa and this is the reason why the number of visitors to this East African country has rapidly increased.The cultural fraternities in the country comprise of a unique artistic talent which the country wants to show to the rest of the world during the Art Festival slated to take place from 1st August to 31st of the same year.

Artistic Baskets

Different delegates from different countries are expected to attend the event and they will be availed with all the necessary tourism information which they will use to spread when they get back to their home countries.They will also visit other tourism sites in the country like the nationals parks,historical sites and many more.

An Art piece

Therefore as you plan for your safari to Uganda this year,extend your trip and attend the Art festival and stand a chance of viewing the beauty of Ugandan art.

The Uganda budget makes cultural safaris more costly

Many people especially tour operators expected the minister of Finance this time to read a budget that favors the tourism sector but on their surprise,more taxes were introduced in the sector.This according to the operators will affect the tourism industry as visitors will be discouraged by the increase in the cost of a Uganda safari including cultural safaris.

Lat week a budget for the next financial year was read to the public and 18% VAT on accommodation facilities where visitors stay was a newly introduced tax.Another tax which will affect the sector is the tax on the various sites including the cultural sites.These two taxes will affect the industry negatively because visitors intending to visit this East African country will be discouraged due to the increased costs.In fact a cultural visit to some of the major sites in Uganda is going to become more expensive to the visitors.The old itineraries you are used to are now going to be modified to include some element of tax.

Uganda is one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa and culture is one of the special attributes that have been attracting people from different parts of the word.However,there is fear that the number of visitors who visit this "pearl of Africa" annually will reduce as a result of the increased taxes.This is the reason why different tour operators have come out to ask the government to reduce these taxes.The government argues that its finding ways of raising more revenue forgetting that discouraging tourists from visiting the country will in a long run lead to a reduction in the revenue. Tourism industry in Uganda is the leading revenue-generating sector and by increasing taxes on the various sites and accommodation,income received from the visitors will reduce.

Apart from culture,visitors come to this country to participate in other adventurous activities like gorilla trekking,nature walks,game drives,hiking,bird watching,kayaking,chimpanzee tracking
,boat rides and many more

Pilrgimages to Namugongo Increase - cultural Safaris Uganda

I know you must have heard about this cultural and Holy site in Uganda (Namugongo Pilgrimage site). What you probably don't know is the true history attached to this place and what Ugandans think about it.It is one of the most adored sites in Uganda which is highly respected by cultural leaders,government and religious leaders.

Some of the people walking past the site

Namugongo Pilgrimage site is where the the early believers Christianity where brutally murdered from by the then king of Buganda, Kabaka Mwanga.They were burn alive for their faith at this place after refusing to denounce the religion which according to the Kabaka was a whiteman's religion.To him,he wanted his people to only follow the true African religion (African Tradition) and he never welcomed Christianity in his land.It was on 3rd June when the king ordered his soldiers to burn all those that had converted to this "threatening" religion.

Today,Ugandans keep on remembering these people who died because of their faith by making annual pilgrimages to the place where they were burnt from.Many people from different parts of the country walk of foot regardless of the long distance as a sign of hilliness and respect for the martyrs.

Some of the attractions at the site

Initially,the Pope had pro promised to grace the function slated to take place on 3rd June at Namugongo Pilgrimage site in remembrance of the Uganda martyrs but later communicated that he wouldn't be able to make it this year and promised to put it into considerations next year.Many tourist had planned to travel with the Pope on his visit but Uganda missed out this great opportunity.However, there are other tourists from different parts of the world who have already jetted into this East African country to grace the ceremony.
From this place,they will extend their safari to other destinations in the country where they will get a chance of exploring some of the great adventurous sites which are had to find.

A cultural safari to Uganda this year is one of the "must" experiences that you should not miss because of the guaranteed lifetime experiences that will help you discover why Uganda is ranked the best tourism destination in Africa.

Peter Mayiga,Buganda's Prime Minister praised by Kabaka - Cultural Safari News Uganda

If you are a Ugandan especially from Buganda kingdom,then you know this gentle man and what he has been doing for the last one year.In case you don't know him,he is the prime minister of Buganda and he was assigned to do this job by the Kabaka(king) of Buganda.For the past years,prime ministers of thie largest cultural kingdom of Buganda were old and many Baganda men and women were surprised by the kabaka's choice of a youthful Katikiro.Some thought that he can not do well and they related him to failure but after sometime,they started believing in his success.

Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga sitting down at one of the cultural ceremonies

One of the kings that have made Peter Mayinga standout to an extent that every Ugandan knows him is his move to revamp Kasubi Tombs,a royal site which was burnt down in 2011.This is the site where kings from this great kingdom are buried and many tourist from  different parts of the world on their cultural safari to Uganda endeavor to visit the place.In his movement known as "tafaali",he has gained momentum and love from the local people of Buganda and also some from other kingdoms.Tafaali means a brick used for building and it was chosen as a slogan for his campaign because he moves around collecting money for reconstruction of the Kasubi Tombs(Amasiro). Though little was known about him,it didn't stop him from even crossing the borders of Buganda and going to other tribes collecting money for thr reconstruction of this cultural site.

He has collected a lot of money in that he also can't believe that his campaign has turned out to be a success.Today, he is one of the most prominent person in Uganda and he has achieved this in just one year.Since his appointment as Katikiro,Buganda has experienced  rapid development and this has won him trust and love among the Baganda people.He has promoted unity among the people especially the youths which had started deteriorating.

In recognition of his achievements,the Kabaka,King came out and thanked him and he also praised him for being an achiever who has helped in restoring Buganda's pride.He further on urged him to continue with his campaign of bringing back the lost glory to the kingdom.

On your cultural safari to Uganda,you can visit this largest kingdom in Uganda and also tour some of the historical cultural sites that will leave you wondering how a true African came into existence.

Buganda Launches its Tourism and Heritage Board

Also known as the biggest and prominent ethnic tribe in Uganda,Buganda is one of the leading attractions when it comes to Cultural safaris.The kingdom has experienced numerous reforms that have seen it develop at a higher rate compared to other kingdoms.The loyalty that the people of this great Bantu-speaking people have for their Kabaka (King) has continuously bonded them together for a long time.

The king of Buiganda during a cultural ceremony

Located in the central Uganda,Buganda is enriched with cultural and historical attractions that have led to an increase in the number of visitors registered per year.Many tourists from different parts of the world come to Buganda simply to witness the true life style of an African.This ethnic group is blessed with cultured people who highly value their history to the extent that they keep all their valued objects which their ancestors used.

Last week,the kingdom through its board decided to revive the glory of the tourism sector in Buganda.This was suggested by Ssaabasajja Kabaka (the King of Buganda) who pointed out that there is need to use what they have to impress the tourists who are interested in exploring the cultural side of the kingdom.However,he reminded the board members not to forget their key values of protecting the image of Buganda as they execute their duties.

Some of the key roles that this board is meant to do include establishment of management policies on running the royal tombs of Buganda (commonly known as Amasiro ga Buganda).The main tombs suggested include Kasubi and Wamala royal tombs.The  secret behind these sites is that they are homes of the ancestral fathers of the Baganda people.Other policies to be included are;appointment of the technical staff to aid work of controlling both income and expenditure of the heritage sites.

Kasubi tombs of Buganda

On top of administering,the board is expected to promote tourism in Buganda by finding all the historical places in the kingdom,protect and preserve them for the future.They are to formulate policies of innovating and manning the Buganda museum and other cultural sites just like the royal palaces.

In his words,the Katikkiro of Buganda,Charles Peter Mayiga  comprehended the Board and said that its the first ever board to be established in the kingdom and board members have gone in the history of Buganda.He emphasized much about preserving,protecting and conserving the heritage sites.

The Kattikiro of Buganda- Right and the Kabaka - Left

However,he showed concern about the increasing vice of deforestation in the region which has greatly affected nature.He therefore


asked each person to at least plant 2 trees during an introduction ceremony  in order to protect the environment in future.

For Cultural Safaris to Uganda at low costs,inquire or contact us on info@adventureugandasafaris.com