A REPORT

OF ACTIVITIES PERFOMED AT SSEZIBWA FALLS MUKONO

PRESENTED TO
THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCES [SCOS]
NKUMBA UNIVERSITY

IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS F0R THE AWARD OF A

BACHELORS DEGREE OF SCIENCE IN TOURISM OF
NKUMBA UNIVERSITY
SUPERVISOR:
MR. RUSOKE TADEO
BY
NABIRYE RACHEAL
2013/ AUG/ BTM/B11887/ DAY
TOPIC:
Relationship between Tourism

and Human activities done around Ssezibwa Falls

in Mukono district.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ....................................................................................................3
1.0

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................4

2.1

JUSTIFICATION........................................................................................16

4.0

FINDINGS..................................................................................................17

5.0

RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................18

6.0

CONCLUSION.............................................................................................20

DECLARATION .
I hereby declare that this report is written by none other than me and no duplication
when writing this report. Both published and unpublished materials and articles thus
consulted are duly acknowledged.
Finally I assume responsibility for any mistake or short coming there in.

1.0

INTRODUCTION

The report is all about the analysis of the relationship between tourism and human
activities done around Ssezibwa falls in Mukono district. This report further indicates
the activities carried out around Ssezibwa falls. This is evident by the photos and
activities showed here in the report. The report has got seven major parts that is to say,
the background, justification, objectives, methodology, report findings, conclusion, and
recommendations. Consequently, this report therefore shows how tourism activities
done around Ssezibwa falls are beneficial to the economy of Uganda.

Boarding

the University Bus for the trip to Ssezibwa falls.

BACK GROUND
Ssezibwa Falls is a tourist destination commonly known as a cultural site dealing in
eco-tourism activities in most of its operations and in short, its an ecotourism
destination. The site is owned by Buganda Kingdom and it is among the heritage trails
of Buganda. It was officially opened as a tourism and cultural site in 2002 by the
Kabaka of Buganda and for some time it was a community owned tourism destination
under Kabaka Foundation with the help of Uganda community Tourism Association
(UCOTA) that named the destination Among the Kabakas trail. Until 2008, the tourism
project was taken over by the new management of Ssezibwa Falls Tourism Project
(SFTP) that was a community organization that was managing the place with the help
of Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) and the Kabaka Foundation.
Currently, the site employs around 20 staff members ranging from the directors to the
site cleaners and security Guards. In addition, at the site, a site manager heads all the
site operations.
Ssezibwa Falls Resort is currently a corporate member with two associations that is
nature Uganda and Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA).
CULTURAL

BACKGROUND

OF SSEZIBWA.

Some of the sacrifices offered by cultural believers at the Cave.

L-R, Ssezibwa falls and Tourists Restaurant.

Ssezibwa Falls has a rich cultural background that contributes a lot to the attraction of
the area. The site receives many cultural tourists. The cultural background of this area
is rooted back in the 16th century and in 1884 during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga of
Buganda Kingdom. There is a cultural and legendary belief that is held about this
particular river Ssezibwa which has attracted a lot of attention. It is believed that this
river Ssezibwa which contains the falls is a twin born river to Mubeya River that pours
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its waters in the Nile. That the two rivers were born in the 16th century by the woman
known as Nakangu Tebateesa Nalongo and Nsubuga Ssebwato Salongo from
Bunyumya village in Ngonwe where the source of the river is found. Like any other
woman, this lady was pregnant for nine months and after then she delivered twins but
this time not human beings but two small rivers. When the researcher visited the
source of these two twin river, a woman identified as Nalongo claiming to belong to the
lineage

of

the

parents

to

these

rivers

informed

the

writer

that

NakanguTebateesaNalongo was barren and yet she wanted to bear a child in life. She
instead visited a native doctor for some consultations on how and promised her that
she will give birth to twins. She left with a lot of hope and after sometime, she conceived
and she went through the experience for nine months. On the eve of the day Nakangu
produced the river, she experienced the labour pains and she was referred to one of the
elders around. As she was being transferred to the elders to help her have a safe
delivery, in the middle of the forest on the hills of Bunyumya, she produced the twins,
but not human beings but two rivers. After the production of these rivers, both of the
rivers did not flow any further but water went down in the downstream to the valley
where they appeared as twins.
At Bunyumya site, river Ssezibwa source is spotted from a big giant yellow mulberry
tree and it appears like a spring with very little water and on the other side of this river,
one can see another small river (Mubeya) moving closer toward Ssezibwa channel and
eventually the two streams meet from there before splinting to take different directions.
More still, traditionalists assert that after the born of these two rivers, Mubeya went to
the eastern side towards the Nile (Busoga side) and Ssezibwa moved to the western side
(Buganda side) being led by Nalongokkubo the ghost. Its further asserted that the two
rivers went to different directions because the mother of these twins was originally from
Busoga but she had stayed in Buganda for some time and she had even acquired a clan
(fox clan) and the father was a muganda from Mamba clan (Lung fish clan of Buganda
kingdom)

It should be known that in Buganda, if one produces twins, there some things that
happen and among some of these include change of names and titles. According to
Buganda cultures, the twins have special names and even those that come after and
follow them to get some special name including their parents as seen below;
Wasswa

Older twin Boy

Kato

Younger twin Boy

Babirye

Older twin Girl

Nakato

Younger twin Girl

Ssalongo

Father to twins

Nalongo

Mother to twins

Kigongo

Elder to Twins

Kizza

Boy/Girl following twins

After the birth of these rivers, the twins were given these special names and they were
named male names. Ssezibwa was named Wasswa, and Mubeeya was named Kato. This
therefore means that this river known as Ssezibwa today originally it was called
Wasswa. The name Ssezibwa as the river is known now, is from a luganda phrase
Ssezibwa Kkubo that means I cannot be blocked or nothing can stop me from where
I want to go. This name was acquired depicting the flow of the river since Ssezibwa
moves meandering but kind of following a straight channel meaning it can overcome
obstacles it finds on the way.
When Ssezibwa was flowing from Bunyumwa, its further said that it was led by a ghost
that appeared in form of a snake and thats the reason why this river moves
meandering according to the traditionalists. However, the ghost led the river up to the
8

Kiyirita rocks where it found a big difficulty to continue. Its said that the ghost further
had a discussion with another river that was passing by called Kasota to help Ssezibwa
go through this hard place. According to the elders of the region, Kasota (means small
snake), belonged to the ancestral spirits of Mirembe which was the owner of this site.
Kasota agreed to help Ssezibwa down but asked Ssezibwa not to kill its off springs and
Ssezibwa agreed to the terms and in the process, Ssezibwa was helped to move down
ending up making the water fall around this place. This therefore means that the water
fall is made up of two rivers, that is; Ssezibwa and Kasota. Its at this point that
Nalongo Kkubo stayed up to now and that Nalongo now resides in a cave that can be
spotted at the site.
Its because of the above background therefore that traditionalists say that a snake
should not at any one time be killed at this spot and traditionalist try as much as
possible to prevent the killing of snakes at Ssezibwa falls. And more still, many people
who believe that this river is sacred, flock the site to engage in traditional activities and
many cultural shrines have been established at the site.
At the site, there are many shrines that tend to attract cultural tourists to learn more
on the traditional background of Buganda. The tree that is said to be planted by
Ssekabaka Mwanga in 1889 which is the wild olive tree (Nakato) olea Euphoria also
brings in tourists and still the tree is a medicinal herb for sore throats. More still, other
kings of Buganda visited the site always in times of executing royal appointments to
their subjects. Up to now, traditionalists use the site for cleansing of their bad spirits,
initiation of the newly born babies including twins, barrenness, mentally ill people,
people who had epidemic diseases also used to visit the site to consult from their
ancestral spirits like Ndawula, to help them, the lame could visit Wanema, Ddungu for
hunting, Mukasa for rivers, Kiwanuka for wars, Musisi for earthquakes, Musoke for
rain, Nagadya for marriage, Namirembe for peace, Mayanja for special events, and many
more others.
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Other people many times can be identified at the site performing the cleansing
performances. Here the traditionalists were seen bathing in the river seeking for
blessings, riches, twins, luck, children, and other fortunes. Other traditionalists also
engage in the river feeding ceremonies where they throw the animals like sheep and
chicken into the waterfall when they are alive in the name of feeding the river and their
ancestral spirits. Most of the times you can identify tourists enjoying these activities
and many will even ask their guide whether they will be performed on that particular
day.
In short, the cultural attributes contribute a lot to the beauty and there are strong
attractions to the tourists who visit the site.
However, it is not only the traditional worshipping that is practiced at the site but also
the modern regions like Christianity are practiced at the site. It is evident at the site,
sometimes when believers are spotted baptizing people in the river, and seen conducting
prayers at the site. In fact, there is a church established at the site for Christians

A Rock For Blessings At Ssezibwa Falls

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A Church at Ssezibwa

Falls Where People Come For Worship.

SSEKABAKA MWANGA
Ssekabaka is a title given to a deceased king
LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
The site lies in between two districts of Buikwe and Mukono districts, Kawolo and
Nakisunga sub counties, Kungu-Madudu village. It is located along Kampala-Jinja
Highway, 35km from Kampala city, turn right at Kayanja trading Centre for about
1.5km on a dirty road and you will be able to find the falls. Ssezibwa falls is located in
Kyaggwe county of Buganda Kingdom People around Ssezibwa Falls Resort and their
associated economic activities.
Mostly Buganda people being that it is found in Buganda Kingdom surround the site.
However, some other tribes are also available more especially the Itesots who work in
the tea estate around. Busiba village in the North, Kungu-Madudu in the east and
south and the tea estate in the west surrounds the site.
THE GEOGRAPHICAL RICHNESS AT AND AROUND SSEZIBWA FALLS

11

Beautiful Scenery at Ssezibwa.

These form the major attraction of this eco-tourism site. For purposes that this piece of
work may be used for beach marking, a thorough explanation of waterfalls will be given
and for that purpose, other examples have been cited from other waterfalls
A waterfall is a river or other body of waters steep fall over a rocky ledge into a plunge
pool below. Waterfalls are also called cascades

12

The process of erosion, the wearing a way of earth, plays an important part in the
formation of waterfalls. Waterfalls themselves also contribute to erosion. Often,
waterfalls form as streams flow from soft rock to hard rock. This happens both laterally
and vertically. In both cases, the soft rock erodes leaving a hard ledge over which the
stream falls.
A fall line is the imaginary line along which parallel rivers plunge as they flow from
uplands to lowlands. Many waterfalls in an area help geologists and hydrologists
determine a regions fall line and underlying rock structure
As a stream flows, it carries sediment. The sediment can be microscopic silt, pebbles, or
even boulders. Sediment can erode stream beds made of soft rock, such as sandstone
or limestone. Eventually, the streams channel cuts so deep into the stream bed that
only a hard rock such as granite remains. Waterfalls develop as these granite
formations form cliffs and ledges
A streams velocity increases as it nears a waterfall increasing the amount of erosion
taking place. The movement of water at the top of a waterfall can erode rocks to be very
flat and smooth. Rushing water and sediment topple over the waterfall, eroding the
plunge pool at the base. The crashing flow of water may also create powerful whirlpools
that erode the rock of the plunge pool beneath them.
The resulting erosion at the base of a waterfall can be very dramatic and cause the
waterfall to recede. The area behind the waterfall is worn away, creating a hollow cave
like structure called a rock shelter. Eventually, the rocky ledge called the outcropping
may tumble down sending boulders into the stream bed and plunge pool below. This
causes the waterfall to recede many meters upstream. The waterfall erosion process
starts again breaking down the boulders of the former outcropping.

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Erosion is just one process that can form waterfall. A waterfall may form across a fault,
or crack in the earths surface. An earthquake, landslide, glacier or volcano may also
disrupt stream beds and help create waterfalls
CLASSIFYING WATERFALLS
There is not a standard way to classify waterfalls. Some scientists classify waterfalls
based on the average volume of water in the waterfall. A class 10 waterfall using this
scale is Inga falls, Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Congo River twists in a
series of rapids. The estimated volume of water discharged from Inga falls is 25,768
cubic meters per second (910,000 cubic feet per second).
Another popular way of classifying waterfalls is by width. One of the widest waterfalls is
KhonePhapheng Falls, Laos. At the KhonePhapheng Falls, the Mekong river flows
through a succession of relatively shallow rapids. The width of KhonePhapheng Falls is
about 10,783meters (35,376 feet)
Waterfalls are also classified by height. Angel Falls, the worlds tallest waterfalls
plummets 979meters (3212 feet) into a remote canyon in a rain forest in Venezuela. The
water from the Gauja River often does not reach the bottom. The fall is so long and so
steep that air pressure is stronger often than the water pressure of the falls. The water
is turned to mist before it reaches the small tributary below.
TYPES OF

WATERFALLS.

One of the most popular, if least scientific, ways to classify waterfalls is by type. A
waterfalls type is simply the way it descends. Most waterfalls fit more than one category
A block waterfall descends from a wide stream. Niagara Falls, in the US and Canada, is
a block waterfall on the Niagara River.

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A cascade is a waterfall that descends over a series of rock steps. Monkey Falls, in the
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in Tamil Nadu, India, Is a gently
sloping cascade. The waterfall is safe enough for children to play in the water.
A cataract is a powerful, even dangerous waterfall, among the widest and wildest of
cataracts are the thundering waters of the Iguazu River on the border between Brazil
and Argentina.
A chute is a waterfall in which the stream passage is very narrow, forcing water through
at unusually high pressure. Three chute falls is named for the three chutes through
which the Tenaya Creek Falls in Yosemite National Park, California.
Fan waterfalls are named for their shape. Water spreads out horizontally as it descends.
Virgin Falls is a striking fan Waterfall on Tofino Creek, on Vancouver.

Cave at Ssezibwa falls.

15

Waterfalls at Ssezibwa.
2.0 OBJECTIVES.
To provide an opportunity for students to apply the principle sand techniques learnt
from their trip to Ssezibwa falls.
To develop the students understanding of both human and tourism activities done
around Ssezibwa falls.
To enhance and strengthen linkages between Nkumba University and various stake
holders in the tourism fraternity for instance Ssezibwa falls in Mukono district.
To show

the relationship between

Tourism and human activities done around

Ssezibwa.
Tenywa Christopher the tour guide played a vital role in taking us through the human
and tourism activities done around the Ssezibwa falls. He further showed us the kind of
tree species in the Ssezibwa falls and their importance to the community.
To widen on the students understanding of the tourist features in Ssezibwa falls.
To promote the tourism heritage of Ssezibwa falls both locally and internationally.
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To enable students to get real life experience they are expected to work in when they
graduate or after completion of their students at university.
To develop student understanding of

tourism ethics, demands and responsibilities

with in the tourism fields.

To Enhance On The Student Capacity F Tourism Industry In Uganda.
2.1

JUSTIFICATION

The report will make an important contribution to the tourism fraternity to draw
mechanisms that can help to boost tourism activities around Ssezibwa falls
The report is also essential in creating a larger market for the tourism attractions with
in Ssezibwa falls fore

example the thanksgiving stone near the church in the Ssezibwa

falls from where it is considered that when one prays from there, he or she gets
blessings from God.
The Report Will contribute to the existing knowledge and literature about the human
and tourism activities done around Ssezibwa falls and how they operate with in the
context of the tourism sector.
The report will also critically identify the potential areas of tourist attractions with in
Ssezibwa falls which need to be seriously looked upon by the tourism authorities.
The report also gives guidelines for tourism attraction with in Ssezibwa falls.
The report also clearly contributes to the development of the tourist attractions in
Ssezibwa falls.
3.0

METHODOLOGY

Ssezibwa falls is located between Buikwe and Mukono district 33 kilometers from
Kampala. During the trip to the falls; we found a population of around thirty people
including other tourists who had come to the falls.
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The information about the various tourist sites in Ssezibwa falls was collected using
questionnaires
The tour guide Tenywa Christopher played a vital role in elaborating and illustrating to
us about all the beautiful tourist attractions in Ssezibwa falls. Consequently, we moved
around touring all the various tourist attractions in Ssezibwa falls like the blessings
stone around the church and among others.
Information was also collected through interviewing; we used to ask the tour guides
mr.Tenywa Christopher a number of questions about the several tourist attractions with
in the Ssezibwa falls and this facilitated data collection about the relationship between
human and tourism activities done around Ssezibwa falls.

4.0

FINDINGS

Racheal standing besides the river at Ssezibwa falls.

There was shortage of human resource or staff at Sse

falls yet that play a crucial in guiding tourists abou

various tourist attractions in the falls.
I discovered the potential of tourist attractions with
in the Ssezibwa falls in generating revenue to the
government.
There is co-existence of a large gap between the
tourism and human activities done around Ssezibwa falls. This is because people who
reside around the falls are pre dominantly agriculturalists.
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According to my observations, there is existence of poor market and advertisement of

the beautiful tourist attractions in the Ssezibwa falls.
There should be enough security provided to the tourist attractions with in and around
Ssezibwa falls.
I also discovered Various Species that exists in the ssezi9bwa falls and usage to people
in the society.
There is much need for the government through the ministry of tourism to provide muc
h support to the various tourist attractions for instance building houses for the various
stuff like tour guides and among others. Since according to my observation such a
problem existed in the Ssezibwa falls.
There is also need for infrastructural development in and around the Ssezibwa falls
therefore there is need by the government

to improve on this infrastructure so as to

encourage people to visit the Ssezibwa falls.

5.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

The writer recommends that the government should carry out intensive sensitization of
the local communities around Ssezibwa falls about its importance in the society and
the economy of Uganda in general.
The writer recommends that the government through the Uganda wildlife authority
should encourage more tourists to visit Ssezibwa falls. This should be done through
massive campaigns on both the local and international media channels.
The writer also recommends that the local leaders should enforce strict laws on deforestation and encroachment on trees around Ssezibwa falls by the local people. This is
because it destroys the beautiful view of Ssezibwa falls.

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The writer recommends that the government through the ministry of tourism provides
adequate security to the Ssezibwa falls. This is because of the many good tourist
attractions it posses and their and they are meaningful to the society.
The writer suggests that the government should establish tree plantation projects
around Ssezibwa falls so as to reduce on the impacts of climatic changes in the area.
This is because there are several economic activities done by the people around the
Ssezibwa falls.
The writer also recommends that the government through the ministry of tourism
should increase the financial support to the Ssezibwa falls. This is because it is
essential in bringing more foreign income to the economy because of the over increasing
number of tourists that visit it.
The writer recommends that more research should be carried out concerning the
human activities like agriculture being carried out around Ssezibwa falls.
The writer also recommends that there should be massive advertisement about the
existence of Ssezibwa falls to the outside world. This should be done by the Uganda
wildlife authority as well as the Uganda tourism board and it is aimed at attracting
more tourists to come and visit Ssezibwa falls in Mukono District.
The writer recommends that there should be regulation of the human activities done
around Ssezibwa falls. This is because some of these activities like deforestation among
others may lead to the destruction of the beautiful scenery of the Ssezibwa falls and
hence the reduction in the number of tourists.
The writer recommends that the government through the Ministry Of Tourism should
increase on the number of staff working in Ssezibwa falls and as well improve on their
welfare. This is aimed at motivating them to work harder and also provide an effective
service to the tourists and the public in general.

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6.0

CONCLUSION.

In the report, the writer analyzed that the people who stay around Ssezibwa falls are
primarily crop growers or agriculturalists and practice along with it animal rearing.
Agriculture is the main source of income and the population in the area largely
depends on it. Consequently, there are other people who practice business and ell
several commodities to the local community and the tourists as well who come to visit
the Ssezibwa falls. The writer analyzed that it is the responsibility of the common man
together with the government to work together and promote Ssezibwa falls as a good
tourist attraction in Uganda.

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REFERENCES.
1. Ministry of tourism, www.tourism/ug/com
2. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)
3. Achieng Robina Kazahura (2007)
A report of the local government climate session and launching of local to local
partnership and the debt on a post-Tokyo global climate regime December 2007 BASL,
Indonesia.

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