Love led me to Kyaruhotora
This article was selected among the best 20 articles for the #TravelWritingCompetition2023 by Uganda Uncovered, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Explore Uganda together with many other partners. Here is an article on how a close friend’s love story led me to hiking the hills of Kyaruhotora.
Growing up, I enjoyed watching the sunset. There was something about them, the sun and its rays that kept me coming back one day after the other as it retired to the ends of the earth after the day’s work. And then there was something I enjoyed more, school trips. I remember visiting the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, commonly known as the zoo in Entebbe. I was also privileged to visit Entebbe International Airport long before I got onto my first flight. Over the years, I have felt Uganda and its nature to be the same — to keep me coming back over and over again.
As a young adult, I got to travel more often to places like Mabira forest, the source of the Nile, L.Bunyonyi and Kagulu hills. That’s just off the top of my head because after that, exploring Uganda became irresistible. Fun fact; One of the things on my bucket list is to visit more than half of the districts in Uganda. I have visited my hometown Nkumbura in Kabale more than any other district and for that, home will always be home.
However, there are places that we visit and they tag closer to the heart because they remind us of home. The food, the language, the views and the experience in its entirety just seems familiar, regardless of what corner of Uganda you are in.
Let me tell you about a village called Kyaruhotora. But first, how I got there.
It was 6:15am on a chilly Friday morning as I embarked on my journey to the western region of Uganda for a friend’s ‘Kugamba obugyenyi.’ I slept halfway through the journey, the crazy chaos and the heavy traffic leaving Kampala. I was later awakened by the echoes of silence as we drove farther and farther away from town but closer towards the countryside. My excitement was through the roof as I stared into the distance where the mountains lay ahead. I could feel a breath of fresh air as the wind blew on my face, almost proceeding with my ears.
After about 6 hours on the road, I was ready to grab a cob of boiled maize to munch on. As soon as I arrived at my destination, the mountains were calling, not even the maize mattered anymore. In sight was the prominent ‘Ihunga’ translated as a place of refuge. As I stood in admiration of my surroundings, I also found out that Ihunga is the highest point in Rukungiri district — an elevation standing high above the surrounding area with a small summit area, steep slopes and a relief of over 300m.
My immediate instinct was to go hiking. The mountain was so fine looking to miss. Together with a friend, we went through the village trails and trees steadily pacing towards the mountain. As we got closer, the mountain looked gigantic as my figure was lost in sight just by standing next to it and the other hills in range.
The peak seemed closer than it was from the start. But the higher we went, there was an unfolding of more terrain as the views also got breathtaking. The wind blew like never before. I could feel the chills through my spine as my heavy breathing burst through my chest. Hiking in Kyaruhotora was a slightly surreal experience as the journey got tedious towards the summit. The sunset also seemed to be leading the way as it led us further and further towards the top of the mountain.
As I sat on a rock that was bigger and taller than I was, I couldn’t help but marvel at the aligned trees in their glory as they embraced the sun rays, turning the stems to a reddish brilliance. Further insight were other mountains that surrounded and shielded ‘Ihunga’ the highest and greatest of them all. The clouds and the birds of the sky all resounded in unison and agreement of this view that I was privileged to behold.
An hour later at the mountain top, I could see from a distance Rukiga district and the famous Kisiizi hospital, having now established a strong reputation for its mental health services in the rural areas of south-west Uganda. The houses below looked like peanuts and so did the people that I could hardly see them. I was reminded about how invisible we all are in view of the skies that now sheltered the mountain. The awe in my heart and the pride of nature that I felt at this moment couldn’t let me feel the tension and muscle aches in my body. I only knew one thing — I had just experienced astounding views and I now had a story to tell. A story to share with you, with Ugandans and the entire world.
Times and seasons have revealed to me the mysteries of what our country Uganda, beholds. From traveling with family to our hometown, to traveling on a budget as young people and then traveling to not only support but celebrate with friends the beginning of their marriages. In this season of my life, I have had the privilege of celebrating my friend’s love stories while traveling to the corners of the Pearl of Africa. Each of them has been special and close to my heart because then I can attach a story to every destination.
With 146 districts in Uganda and innumerable tourist sites to visit, there is more to experience than we know. Rukungiri district is home to Kitagata hot springs, Kisiizi falls and Kingha coffee farms. Rukungiri is bordered by L.Edward in the NorthWest, Mitooma district in the NorthEast, Ntungamo district in the East, Rukiga district and Rubanda district in the South and Kanungu district in the west.
Kyaruhotora village, in Rubabo parish, Nyarushanje sub county, Rukungiri district is one of those destinations that has given me an incredible experience close to my heart. One I wish for every Ugandan to experience in this lifetime.
