Kagulu rock climbing

Kagulu rock is one of the newly opened tourist destinations following up on a government initiative to diversify tourist products in the Ugandan market. Rock Climbing is a new tourist activity added to Gorilla Trekking , Bird watching and Wildlife Viewing, cultural site tours, adventure tours, and nature tours among others.

Kagulu Rock is among a handful of hills that have been developed for rock climbing opportunities to tourists by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and other stakeholders. The hill is located in the eastern part of Uganda in Buyende District, just 30 km drive from Kamuli town center. The hill goes for approximately 3500 feet above sea level and because of this it is highly desired by rock climbers especially foreigners. Kagulu is an historical treasure to the people of Jinja. Kagulu Rock can be added to your Uganda Safari adventure and Jinja Safari after white water rafting, quad biking, horse riding, and boat trips done in the nearby Jinja city.

History of Kagulu rock

Kagulu is Busoga’s hidden mystical wonder. The hill is believed to be the first home to the founder of the Busoga Kingdom. When Mukama Namutukula, the prince of Bunyoro Kingdom, was running away from leadership clashes in their kingdom, he found refuge in Kagulu Hill where him and his wife birthed 5 boy children. When time for returning home arose he left his five children in charge of the various parts of Busoga and this later rose into chiefdom. Till date the hill is where the coronation ceremonies if the Busoga chiefs take place.

The illness was once a military base under the regime of President Idi Amin Dada in the 1970s. Since 2003 people have been climbing the hill especially foreigners but wasn’t yet developed and open to tourists. Later in 2013 the Busoga Initiative and Uganda Tourism Board officially opened Kagulu rock as a cultural tourist site and rock-climbing destination.

Attractions at Kagulu Rock

Cultural tourism

Kagulu is rich in Busoga tribe’s history, till date there are cultural activities that still take place at the hill like coronation ceremonies of chiefs. The hill is believed to be the true place where the Busoga Culture emerged.

Kagulu Rock

The rock is a major tourist attraction in the area, it goes up to 3500 feet in elevation, hiking the hill is rewarding and exciting yet challenging. You will be rewarded with amazing views once you reach the top of the hill like waterfalls from caves, views of Lake Kyoga at a confluence with River Nile.

Caves

The caves on the hill were home to the first settlers in the place, these stories will be told to you along the climb or at an entertained fireplace, stories of when the caves where discovered, it also believed that King Olimi of Bunyoro used to spend his leisure time at the hill.

Iddi Amin’s Trail

Hill was in 1970s a military base for the army of President Iddi Amin. Tourists are given a chance to walk on the trail that was used by Uganda’s most famous president. It is said that Amin had plans to build himself a palace at the top of the hill that would help him keep an eagle’s eye on the people across kyoga, Teso and Lango regions.

Sight Lake Kyoga

You will have beautiful views of Lake Kyoga, one of the closest water bodies to the hill,, reflecting that a number of activities can be carried out at the lake as well.

How to get to Kagulu Rock

The drive to Kagulu Rock might not be an exciting one but your guaranteed satisfaction on sighting at the Kagulu hills and listening to the interesting stories of the secrets that lie behind it. The hill is located 180 km from Kampala the Capital city of Uganda, 100 km from Jinja town and 30 km from Kamuli District.