State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka has commended the Government of Uganda and Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga for immensely working towards the development of tourism in Busoga region, particularly the Bishop Hannington site.
The Minister toured Kadaga’s Century Hannington Resort Cottages on Saturday during the domestic tourism promotion campaign dubbed ‘Explore Busoga’ before visiting sections of the Bishop Hannington site including the rock caves where the Bishop, now martyr, slept, the torture stone and the rock where he breathed his last.
He thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the government for funding the construction of the shelter around the rock, a road leading to the site which was impassable before and places of convenience at the site among other developments in the pipeline such as the proposed museum.
“It would make no sense for a tourist to drive from wherever, check on the site and rush back simply because there are no accommodation facilities in this remote area. We aim at increasing the overall visitor stay so that’s why Hon. Kadaga’s Century Hannington Resort is very vital. When someone visits the site, they can come and spend the night here,” Mugarra said.
The Resort was commissioned on the 29th of October 2018 by his Excellency the President who had earlier declared October 29th a public holiday in honour of the martyr – Bishop James Hannington.
Hon. Kadaga constructed the cottages having realized that much as the Bishop Hannington Site doesn’t receive overwhelming numbers of tourists as is the case for other religious sites, those that tour the area had no accommodation facilities and would leave right after.
“We should thank Maama Kadaga because of the various investments she has made first of all in Busoga but also pushing the tourism agenda and the sector in various ways. I encourage everyone who has visited the Bishop Hannington site to share the story but also let masses know that their accommodation needs are catered for,” the Minister added.
The Minister was flanked by Princess Hellen Namutamba, Busoga Kingdom’s tourism minister, Commissioner for Tourism Vivian Lyazzi, legendary artiste Jose Chameleone, Busoga musical export John Blaq among others.
The four-day Explore Busoga trip covered other attractions in the area including Nile Breweries Ltd plant in Jinja, Nalubaale Power Station, Kagulu Rock in Buyende, Busowoko Falls and the numerous adventure spots along the Nile.
Speaking during the Resort Tour, Jose Chameleone rallied Ugandans to emulate Hon. Kadaga’s investment choice instead of shipping the money outside the country.
“This is a beautiful initiative and I think able Ugandans should do more of this. Most people have their money but they would rather make investments in other countries yet our country is this beautiful. We’re the pearl. Don’t be worried about visiting this religious site thinking you might have to spend a night in a hut, no, come check out the Century Hannington Resort,” he said.
Following the Resort tour, tourists headed to a well where Bishop Hannington drew water to baptize new Christian converts. Here, led by Minister Namutamba and the area Reverend, some of the excursionists including a delegation from the Turkish Embassy packed the Holy Water for religious rituals while others washed their hands and face in a purported cleansing ritual.
Minister Namutamba noted that during the President’s visit in 2018, her docked mooted establishing a factory that would package the Holy Water for sale. This is yet to be realized.
She noted, however, that the President has funded the construction of the existing road leading to the site which was impassable prior, electricity extension and tapped water.
“We thank the Ministry of Tourism because it has come through and managed well all the funds we asked for from the President. We thank the President because he has done a lot for tourism development in Busoga,” she added.
Minister Mugarra said the Ministry is working towards putting in place more structures at the site and marketing it so it can attract as many pilgrims and tourists as those that frequent other religious sites such the Namugongo Martyrs shrine.