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.

What food for what tribe? - Cultural Safaris Uganda

Blessed with over 50 ethnic tribe,Uganda is the leading cultural safari destination because of the adventures one is guaranteed while visiting the various cultural settings.For a true lifestyle of an African,Uganda is the best country to tour and trust me,you will have a lifetime experience.

However,you need to know about the foods which are treasured by the different tribes of Uganda and why these foods instead of what you are used to.


Matooke (Bananas)
This is one of the widely consumed food in Uganda and it is the stable food for Uganda's largest tribe,Buganda.On your cultural safari to Uganda,you will see many people mainly in the central part where Baganda people are found eating this yellowish delicious food.
According to Buganda custom, Matooke food was the most treasured food by the ancestors and this is the reason why it is hard to find a Muganda homestead without a banana plantation.
Other tribes which take this as a stable food include the Ankole found in western Uganda.


Sweet Potatoes
As you hear the word sweet,Sweet potatoes are consumed by almost all the tribes in Uganda because of their delicacy.On you Uganda Safari,you will have a chance of tasting these potatoes which are sweeter than sugar.
However,its the Busoga ethnic group of Uganda which takes this food as a stable food and a Musoga farmer cannot complete a year without growing this cultural food.Other tribes that highly feed on thi sfood include the Itesotes, Baganda, Gagisu,Luos and Bagisu.


Millet Flour (Kalo)
Kalo is believed to be a brain booster according to many cultural members of Uganda.This true African food is made from Millet and many parents in Uganda feed their children on this special dish so as to make them more brighter and intelligent.
Though its consumed by most ethnic tribes of Uganda,it is taken as a stable food by the Itesotes,Acholi,Bakiga,Banyoro,Bagisu,the Luos,the Japhadoras,Toro,Ankole and others.




Irish Potatoes
I know you are well conversant with this food.In Uganda most modern homes feed on this delicious food because its cheap and easy to cook.However,it is taken as a stable food by the western tribes of Uganda including the Bakiga,Banyankore,Toro and Banyoro.






Posho (Maize floor)
This is one of the widely consumed food in Uganda.It is made from maize a food crop widely grown in this country.To many Ugandans,this food is taken as an energy giving food and it is mainly consumed by people involved in jobs requiring a lot of energy.There is no specific tribe in Uganda which takes this food as a cultural food because it is consumed by almost all the ethnic tribes.





On your cultural safari to Uganda,you may find people consuming other foods like Rice,macrones,pumpkins and others.Don't miss out on a village tour which will enable you to interact directly with the local people and ask them any question.Take a lifetime drive through the villages of Uganda and witness how these black people live.
Incase you are interested,just live your comment here and we shall respond immediately or visit www.adventureugandasafaris.com for more safari packages.

Ajono,a margical-uniting drink in Uganda - Cultural safaris

When it comes to Uganda culture,there are amazing things that a tourist has never imagined.The lifestyle of a true Uganda is so interesting that if explored about,one may wonder how these black people came into existence.The diversity of cultural experience guaranteed to visitor on his/her safari to Uganda is one of the unique features of this East African country.

Local people enjoying Ajono

Forget about the distilled alcohol in your home country,Ugandans have their own way of making local brew and if you are not keen enough,you may mistake it to be manufactured.The African chemistry involved in the process of making this local brew (Ajono) is so interesting and many tourists on their cultural safari to Uganda have appreciated the art of Ugandans.

Ajono is one of the leading consumed alcohol in Uganda because of its strong attachment to African culture.There are some tribes in Uganda which take this brew as a cultural drink which everyone must take.Some even believe that by taking this drink,the gods or ancestors are pleased and the community gets blessings.It mostly consumed by eastern tribes of Uganda with Itesotes leading the trend.

What is Ajono
Ajono is simply a local  alcoholic brew made from millet  and sorghum.It is also known as "Malwa" in the local language it is a common drink among Ugandans.To many people,this drink is termed as a uniting drink simply because people gather in big numbers and discus various issues about their society.They make friends at the drinking point who they couldn't have met without this special drink.

About Ajono
The history about this drink drifts straight from the ancient times.History has it that the first people used this drink to create friendship amongst them They could our the drink in a big pot and all men from different corners of the village sit around this pot to have a sip.Meanwhile as they are drinking,many issues concerning the community are discussed and solutions are reached at.

The same history is reflected today in some of the ethnic tribes of Uganda and in the evening,local people meet at a designated point and enjoy the drink.They usually play music while drinking and some even sing-along.

However,not everyone is allowed to take this uniting drink.Children below the age of 18 are strictly not allowed to take Ajono and if found,its a serious crime.Women are also exempted from sharing a pot of Ajono with the men.

On your cultural tour to Uganda,don't miss to see a group of people converging around a pot full of Ajono.It is a common practice (mainly in villages of Uganda ) to drink this uniting drink and therefore,you should make a village tour inorder to see how this brew is consumed.

Ajono is cheaper compared to other alcoholic drinks and a pot full costs around shs.1000.It is of late that some distilling companies have started packaging this local brew each pack going for UGX 2000.

Make a cultural safari to Uganda and enjoy this magnificent drink.

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