Everything you must know about Archeological Sites in Uganda. Archeological sites are areas where the past remains of human settlements are located. On these sites, you learn about several facts and the history of a given group of people who lived here a long time ago. In Uganda, the archeological sites define the evolution of several communities and tribes. A tour of any of the archeological sites in Uganda allows you to dive into the history of some tribes in Uganda. Most of the stories attached to archeological sites in Uganda are interesting while others are emotional. Some involve war, politics, marriage, farming, and other ways of life that existed in ancient Africa.
Uganda is located within the eastern and the Great Lakes region and it is crossed by the equator. It is neighbored by Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. There are over 60 cultural communities that travelers on their safaris encounter as they visit archeological sites. Some of these sites include;
Semwama Hill Cave
This was the first habitat of the Bachwezi dynasty and is located in the Kakumiro district in western Uganda. It was a place of worship for these people where they would make several rituals and sacrifices for their gods. Several caves around Semwama Hill are believed the Bachwezi used to reside. In these cases, it is believed that elders in the community of the Bachwezi used to hold their meetings.
Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru
The Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru Caves are located in western Uganda in Nyakasura – Kabarole district (Fort Portal). The caves are geographically stalagmites and stalactites that were formed due to erosion. The name of the caves means “breasts of Mwiru’s mother”. The locals in this community consider the leaking rocks to be the breast of Nyina-Mwiru which were cut off by the father Bukuku in a way to make her ugly for men. This was done to overcome the fore tells that was told to the king.
Nyero rock paintings
Nyero rock paintings were first documented in 1913 by the Iteso and it is located in eastern Uganda in the Kumi district. It is also on a list of UNESCO sites and it comprises 6 shelter rocks. They are considered to be shrines of the local people in the community. Only three of these rocks are recorded with several signs and symbols that identify the different meanings.
Nsongezi Rock
This is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Uganda which overlooks River Kagera near the Kansyoke island. It is located in the western Uganda Isingiro district western Uganda about 300 kilometers from Kampala. It is considered also to be among the Old Stone Age sites since some archeological sites are similar to other Old Age sites.
Garama Caves
Located in southwestern Uganda in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Kisoro district. It measures 342 meters from the entry to the existing point and about 14 feet deep and it is about 2000 years ago. These caves have no history about the two people who are among the inhabitants of the area who are distinguished from each other by their short height. Garama caves were used as the forest retreat area for the Twa after the fights and raids on the Bantu community.
Bigo Bya’mugyenyi
This archeological site covers 10 kilometers with a series of earthworks within the royal closure. It is made of several ditches where some are about 5 meters deep that are evacuated within the ground by the Chwezi community. It was under the leadership of the Bachwezi dynasty where the dynasty reign was short-lived under Ndahura and Wamala. It is located on the small hill where it was used to protect Mugenyi’s cows. It is also at the confluence of the Katanga and Kakinga Rivers.
Munsa Archeological Site
The Munsa archeological site is the area with the largest earthworks in Uganda where these works were believed to have been done around 1400 AD and 1650 AD. They consist of a series of ditches on the Bikekete hill where these ditches are about 10 to 15 feet deep and 6 to 10 feet meters wide. It also has a granite outcrop that is sheltered by the rocks. Munsa is a local Runyoro word expression which means place of trenches. This cave can house about 50 people.
Ntusi Archaeological Site
This archaeological site is different from other archaeological site since it has no ditches or trenches. It is about 16 kilometers away from the Bigo ya Mugenyi. It is made up of the mound and it is dated to be older than the Bigo ya Mugenyi. Researchers say that the area was initially for the Chwezi dynasty.
Kibiro Salt Gardens
It is located in northwestern Uganda in the Kigorobya sub-county Hoima district in the Bunyoro region southwards to Lake Albert. This area was initially a source of salt to the ancient people of the Bunyoro region.
What is the best time to visit Archeological sites in Uganda?
The archeological sites in Uganda are open for travelers throughout the year. The best time to visit the sites is during the dry season since the roads connecting to the area are not in a good state. Travelers are recommended to use a 4×4 safari van to visit the area.
