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ocated in Kabale District, Western Uganda, close to

the Rwanda border, Lake Bunyonyi is 1960m above

sea level. The Lake is surrounded by steep-sided,

heavily cultivated, beautiful mountainous scenery. For a long

time I had wanted to take a trip to Lake Bunyonyi. Even as

a child, Lake Bunyonyi held a strange fascination for me and

my siblings. Akampene Island, the steep hills, the people and

the legends served as an enticement. My husband, Mr Fred

Ssegujja, had told me about the Managers’meeting organized

by the Company at White Horse Inn in Kabale but I had no

idea that spouses were to be invited. I received the

communication with surprise and apprehension wondering

what we, the ladies, had to do at a Managers’ meeting.

However, my anxiety quickly gave way to excitement and my

sense of adventure was awakened. This was a great

opportunity to take a break out of a busy and hectic routine.

On 20 November, I rose up with renewed enthusiasm to

catch the early morning bus to Kabale.The journey to Kabale,

the closest town to Lake Bunyonyi, is apparently six hours

from Kampala by bus, but I doubt the claim. We made it in

nine hours, our speed slowed down by the creaking condition

of the bus, road construction trucks, potholes and police

officers.The staff at White Horse Inn were brilliant and really

welcoming, and made me feel at home immediately. Fred,

Julius and Cissy Byentaka arrived an hour later looking

cheerful and I wondered at the cause until I learned that they

had stopped over at one of Kabale Town’s suburbs,Muhanga,

for a bottle of beer, though it seemed like gallons of beer!

The dinner at the restaurant was outstanding, with a few drinks

thereafter. One of the traditions of Kigezi region, where Kabale

is located, is that extended family members would gather around

a fireplace for harmonious discussions after a good meal. This

tradition was observed, as Senior Management of MRUL

interacted like a single family before we all went to bed.

The hot, sticky weather in Kampala did not prepare me for

the chill of Kabale and there was no hot water in the room

despite assurances from the staff. After waiting for one hour

for the hot water, one staff member came and kindly

informed me, “Sorry madam, we have just started to cook the

water.” In most local languages, the words ‘boiling’ and

‘cooking’ are used interchangeably.

After a light breakfast the following morning, the Managers

left to start their meeting at the Conference

Hall, to chart out Company strategies.

The plan was for all of us ladies to meet in the

hotel lobby at 9:00am. As we gingerly

gathered one by one, Mrs Alka Singh had

already made arrangements for a visit to Lake

Bunyonyi. The drive there was memorable,

with its breathtakingly beautiful countryside,

the rolling hills along the way and the usual –

you know – ladies’ gossip.

In the Bakiga’s language the word Bunyonyi

means ‘the place of many little birds’ and the

place boasts of over 200 species of birds. No

wonder Alka appeared very much at home,

bird-watching. After soaking in the pristine

natural grandeur of the surroundings, we

boarded the motor boat.

For many of the ladies it was the first time

taking a boat ride and you could see the

anxiety on their faces whenever the boat

swayed. Some silently started praying to the

Almighty to save them from what seemed like

just a ‘storm in a tea cup’ to the rest. Ultimately,

Alka’s composed demeanor was very

reassuring and calm eventually ensued.

Lake Bunyonyi is dotted with many small

islands, the most infamous of which is

Akampene or Punishment Island. The Bakiga

used to leave unmarried pregnant girls on this

small island with a lone tree - to die of hunger

or while trying to swim to the mainland.This

was to educate the rest not to do the same.

A man without cows to pay dowry could go to the Island and

pick up a girl.

Lake Bunyonyi is truly gifted with amazing natural beauty.

It was made even more attractive by its inhabitants who

created space for agriculture and, as a result, the lake is

surrounded by terraced and neatly cultivated hillsides that

have made the area known as the ‘little Switzerland of Africa’.

Lake Bunyonyi, with its enchanting nature, its legends and

fascinating stories is a place worth a thousand visits.

On behalf of the Managers’ spouses, I would like to express

our sincere appreciation to the Management of MRUL for

affording us this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Special

thanks to Mrs Alka Singh for the wonderful arrangements.

My thanks also to all the ladies – you were great company.

July 2014 15

14 July 2014

Becky, wife of Fred Ssegujja , Chief Factory Manager,

Mwenge Central Head Office, Uganda , shares details

about a memorable excursion .

– Becky Bridget Birungi

Mwenge Central, MRUL

Managers’ Meeting

& Enchanting

Lake Bunyonyi

The Ladies Enjoying Their Day Out

Lake Bunyonyi