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NEWS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENUERS

Hello, all you social entreprenuers out there!

Could you use up to $90,000 to launch your idea to solve the world’s most difficult problems? The Echoing Green Fellowship program identifies promising social entrepreneurs with bold ideas and provides them with up to $90,000 in seed funding, strategic support, and a powerful community of nearly 500 other Fellows and Alumni.

Online application open December 5, 2011 to January 9, 2012. Sign up to receive the latest news: http://bit.ly/p8euX1. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/rdOYb5.

CLIMBING TORORO ROCK




A looming Tororo Rock silhouettes the horizon at dusk

  


The exhausted group in front of Rock Hotel, Tororo at dusk. The writer is on the extreme right

  Tororo Rock is a vegetation-covered volcanic plug that juts out proudly from a flat plain that is the site of Tororo Municipality. Jugged rocks protrude from any surface that is not covered by foliage.

The climb is recommended for those who love challenges. The climb lasts approximately fort-five minutes to an hour. It could take longer, however, depending on one’s fortitude. This is because air is quite thin at high altitudes and this can cause shortness of breath and nausea.

VISIT THE KABAKA'S LAKE

Picturesque: Vegetation frames a view of the lake



Visitors enjoying the environs of the lake

 Visit one of the man-made lakes in Uganda near the Kabaka’s (King’s) palace at Ndeeba on the Kampala-Masaka Road. Local folklore has it that one of Buganda’s Kabakas, Mwanga gathered all the Baganda at the site; all one million of them at the time, about one thousand (more like five hundred) years ago and told them to dig the lake. And that because the Baganda loved their King a lot, they decided to dig the lake. Then they introduced fish like eels and Nile Perch into it.

‘At first, the lake disappeared because the rituals were mishandled. But after they were performed in the right manner, the lake came back!’ A local resident who preferred anonymity quipped in awe.

WHERE ANCIENT KINGS LIE



A side view of the main structure

 


In the same compound stands a similar side structure

  

The main site housing the Kings' graves

 Buganda legend has it that Kintu was the first man God created and sent down to earth via a rainbow. That he and his wife Nambi were the first King and Queen of Buganda; and that all subsequent Kings are direct descendants of Kintu.

At Kasubi, just outside Kampala lies the royal burial grounds of Buganda’s Kings – The Kasubi Tombs. Visit the site, enclosed in a reed fence and gate. This is the site of Kabaka (King) Muteesa I’s (1836 – 1884) palace. It was built by him in 1882 and was turned into a burial site after his death.

VISIT NABINOONYA: AN AFFORDABLE RESORT




Part of the beach detailing boating facilities

  


The Bandas, some of the accomodation facilities available

  

The disclaimer by the beach

 Set on the shores of Lake Victoria at Kasubi, Nabinoonya Camping Resort is the ideal retreat for bird watching and nature walks. The scenic beauty is breathtaking. The expansive grounds house a park, with Mvule, Eucalyptus and Pine, among other tree species. This used to be a tropical forest, so the plant varieties are almost limitless. There are also lots of monkeys and bushbuck here.

Mr. James Zake, the Assistant Manager at the resort is a soft-spoken, courteous and down-to-earth dotting host. The entry fee is Ug. Shs. 1000. Other activities are boating, kayaking, swimming, camping and fishing. There is also a conference facility for up to thirty people. Only experts are allowed to go kayaking.

NEWS: TRAVELITE EDITOR AMONG WINNERS OF COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY COMPETITION

I am glad to announce that I, Constance Obonyo, Editor of this blog was among the winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Competition, 2011. My short story, Stylish Marcella, was among the highly commended entries. For this, I received a 100 Pound prize.

I would like to thank the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association for giving us a platform and for appreciating our work. Read the story at: