Dokolo: Kabalega-Mwanga heritage site in Kangai excites South African, US tourists

Dokolo | A group of South African, United Kingdom-Nigerian, United States and Namibian tourists visited the Omukama Kabalega and Kabaka Mwanga historical site in Kangai town council, Dokolo district on Tuesday, August 26 under the leadership of Ambassador Paul Amoru Omiat.

Speaking at Angai ward, Kangai town council, Ambassador Amoru who is Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, revealed the main purpose of the visit.

“Kangai is a strategic area for tourism,” he said, shortly posing a question: “Why are we here?” “Uganda, through the missions abroad, is able to project friendships, goodwill, protect its image but also look for opportunities that will result in development, investment–more trade.

“So, all our missions abroad continue to protect Uganda’s image, continue to provide consular services, and continue to expand our bilateral and multilateral relationships. But lately, the most important thing we are doing is what we call commercial-economic diplomacy.”

Under commercial-economic diplomacy, Amoru said different missions are handling about five key sectors under “ATM in the Uganda National Development Plan”. ATM stands for Agriculture [Agro-industrialization] Tourism and Minerals.

“Tourism, many people think it is just about animals and about landscapes, but tourism is actually more about the people, about their culture, about their language, food, dress code.”

During their preparations in South Africa to come with the visitors to Uganda-Kangai, including those from the United States, Ambassador Amoru said they had a great time promoting “sports tourism”. “And all these people participated in the Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese. Myself, I was one of the star performers,” he told community members of Kangai.

The Ambassador appealed to them to prepare themselves, be well equipped and innovative to receive more visitors who will come from different parts of the world.

tourists — *Some of the community members including pupils in Kangai were present.*

Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Lira University, stated that Kangai is a major site for us not only in Uganda but in Africa. “This is a site of resistance, it actually speaks about the anti-colonial struggle and how people who had very limited equipment–all they had was a desire to defend their country, their dignity and their resources fought very hard against British colonialism which had superior weapons and tactics.”

Known for his ingenious authorship and history, Prof. Dokotum says the Kabalega-Mwanga historical site “is very important to us and helps us to remember our colonial leaders, especially a gentleman called Owiny Akullu.”

“Owiny Akullu was a commander and he helped the Baganda. He fought and helped the Banyoro. So, he’s the guy at the center of this entire story because he went and fought the British to help Kabalega, and when they overwhelmed the British, he (Owiny Akullu) brought Mwanga and Kabalega and hid them here.

“We want to really remember him and also celebrate him.”

Meanwhile, the Town Clerk of Kangai town council, James Acar applauded Ambassador Amoru for his initiative in promoting tourism in the district, saying bringing tourists to visit the Kabalega and Mwanga heritage site was a great achievement and a valuable contribution to the country.

Acar emphasized that such visits will not only raise the profile of Dokolo district, but also create opportunities for the local community in areas such as hospitality, cultural exhibitions, and business.

He encouraged residents to embrace tourism by safeguarding the historical site and maintaining the cultural identity associated with it.

Ambassador Amoru has assured the leaders and community members of his continued commitment to supporting projects that market Uganda’s beauty, history, and economic potential to the world.

Tourists Sipho Marima, Nathan Chad and Crystal Geniene spoke about the excitement of visiting the Pearl of Africa. They described the Pearl as one of the most suitable countries with many beautiful creations.

“Being in the area is amazing,” Nathan said. “Hearing the story about the Kings and how so much money is going to be put back into this area is going to be amazing to see what this area looks like now. I am going to come back in a year or in two years: I want to see this all blooming with life and more smiles and more happiness.”

“So, yes, it has just been amazing being here in Uganda, being with all the Ugandan people,” he added.

Sipho, from Johannesburg, said being in Uganda has been amazing. “I said to a friend of mine that the whole experience is unique, unique in the sense that I saw gorillas for the first time and I had a conversation with them. Me and gorillas speak the same language, by the way–believe it or not.

“We have visited beautiful places. I have never been to a place where you are driving to a hotel and you get to see animals–the lions, elephants, rhinos. The Marathon (Rwenzori) itself was beautiful–running through the city–the town of Kasese with the kids… it was such a beautiful experience for me.”

A renowned content creator, Sipho appears like he will never forget about Uganda and Dokolo. “The people of Uganda are very warm. Dancing is a lot,” he says. “I have been dancing since I got here. I lost weight from dancing. It is a lot, nice and beautiful. Music is beautiful, so it has been such a pleasure and an amazing experience.”

Here is one lesson he will take from Uganda back to South Africa. “They (Ugandans) celebrate life…. the people of Uganda just like celebrating and that is one thing I am taking with me. People celebrate life everywhere I go.”

Geniene, who has been to Uganda for the fourth time, says the country is beautiful, gifted and full of potential. To her, “Uganda is her second home” and she “knows every corner of tourist attractions.”

Kabalega-Mwanga Heritage Site under construction: phase one

With the construction of the shs15 billion heritage site currently at 31 percent, expectation is that the structure will be complete within the contract period, Aaron Lakonyero, Clerk of Work with Rohi Services Ltd, a company hired to do the work, told reporters on Tuesday.