Kabale in rukiga means a small stone. In the beginning there was a small stone from which the name kabale was derived. Those who saw it according to Kigezi based historian Festo Karwemera said the mysterious stone was small in size,round in shape and very heavy in weight.
Kabale is a district in the Southwestern region of uganda. It was originally part of kigezi district before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda and Rukiga were excised to form separate districts.
The predominant languages used are mainly Rukiga and English. It is mainly occupied by bakiga, banyakole, Banyarwanda and other tribes living in this area include Baganda, Acholic, Luo and Bafumbira
Kabale is the seat of the former Kigezi district administration. It's history dates far back as 1889 when Uganda was still a British protectorate and was nicknamed Switzerland of Africa because of the hilly nature and coldness
It became a district in 1980, the Obote 2 administration abolished the ten provinces erected under president Idi Amin Dada the third president of Uganda and kabale town became the capital for the newly created kabale district
Kabale is a highland district of Uganda covering 1862km2. The topography is mainly green interlocking and heavily cultivated hills with spectacular valleys. The altitude of Kabale district ranges between 1219-2347m above sea level. It has a marine west coast, warm summer climate (classification:cfb). The cities yearly temperature is 18.28° C (64.9°F) and is -5.19% lower than Uganda's averages.
Kabale is about 142 kilometers (88 miles) by road, Southwestern of Mbarara the largest city in the Western region of Uganda. This is approximately 410 kilometers (250 miles) by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The driving distance between kabale to Kampala the capital city takes approximately 7-8 hours and costs around $8.
In the mid 1800s, it is said about 1400 Bakiga migrated from Bulanga,Rwanda in search of fertile land and to escape natural hazards due to internal political conflicts. From Rwanda, the Bakiga are said to have migrated to Bwisa to Bugugi and then to Rutchru all in Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) and they finally settled in kigezi.
Soil, the soils of Kabale district are mainly volcanic,ferralitic and peat soils. The volcanic soils are mainly found in Muko sub county. The ferralitic soils are most widespread in the district and are in an advanced stage of weathering and have little or no mineral reserves to draw on. Naturally fertile volcanic and peat soils support a prosperous agricultural economy. Major crops include irish potatoes, coffee, tea, vegetables (carrots, cabbages,corn flowers,beetroots,onions and tomatoes) fruits (passion fruits,apples, pineapples and pears), pyrethrum, mushrooms, diary and agro forestry.
Kabale is a home to many tourist attractions ranging from lakes to highlands to forests to gorillas to caves and many more.
LAKE BUNYONYI
It is well known for being the second deepest lake in Africa, lake Bunyonyi is found in Southwestern Uganda between the districts of Kabale and Rubanda. It is located only 8km outside if Kabale town amidst the smoky Kigezi highlands.
Activities such as canoeing, bird watching, cultural encounters, a visit to the traditional healer-- Sam Mulisa the legend, swimming and hiking are among the many activities done while at Lake Bunyonyi.
NB. If a girl became pregnant before marriage in the ancient days, she would be exiled to Bushara Island on Lake Bunyonyi where she would either be killed by predator animals or by hunger since she would be there alone. This punishment was put in place to stop young girls from sex before marriage because sex was so privileged in the early days. The punishment though is nolonger active.
KISIIZI FALLS
Kisiizi falls boarders Kabale and Rukungiri districts lying along the Kyabambq river in Rukungiri in the midst of Kigezi highlands. While at Kisiizi falls you engage in activities like birding where you view birds such as the grey heron, pied crow and turaco among others. Photography of the beautiful falls together with the green scenary is another fun activity. A forest walk I. The small pockets of forests in the neighborhood of the falls as well as a cultural experience with the resident bakiga people
NB in the ancient days if a girl became pregnant before marriage she would be taken to Kisiizi falls where his brother would push her down the waterfall and the girl would immediately die. This act came to an end when one of the girls pulled her brother who was pushing her down the fall and they both died. This instilled fear among the village elders hence suggesting and end to this practice.
MGAHINGA GORILLA NATtIONAL PARK
This national park is located in the southern most district if Kisoro but only a 2 hour drive from Kabale can deliver you to this mesmerizing park. MGAHINGA gorilla national park is well known for gorilla trekking, volcano hiking, cultural encounters with the Batwa people, watching iconic bird species such as the black kite, white necked raven and speckled mouse bird among others. Mgahinga also offers an opportunity of trekking the rare golden monkeys in the park.
NB this national park is ranked number 4 among the parks with the most gorillas in the whole world
Administratively, the district consists of 3 counties namely Ndorwa East, Ndorwa West and Kabale municipality. The three counties are further divided into 12 sub counties. The government set 2025 as the year for officiating kabale as a city from a municipality. One of the administrative areas where elevated to city status by virtue of a motion passed by parliament in 2020
THE BAKIGA ARE THE INHABITANTS OF KABALE SINCE THE 1880 THEREFORE THIS IS A BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT THEM.
Bakiga/kiga/abakiga/chiga/omukiga/kiga people means people of the mountains or hills. The are a Bantu ethnic group of Northern Rwanda and Southern Uganda. They speak a Bantu language called Rukiga.
Religiously, in the ancient days they believed in a supreme being Ruhanga(the creator of all things earthly and heavenly). At a lower level they believed in the cult of Nyabingi. The Nyabingi cult was said to have originated from Karagwe,Tanzania. It had its base at Kagarama near lake Bunyonyi.
Politically, the bakiga don't have a history of a traditional monarchy. This is because of the pride among the bakiga were they don't want to be imposed under anyone's authority. As to their origins in the area the bakiga don't have a tradition that indicates their common origin in Southwestern Uganda which also explains why they never had a traditional ruler.
Socially, the bakiga were hospitable people who welcome visitors with the kikiga dance( this tradition is still in existence upto now). But when their peace was interfered with, the bakiga were quick to solve the problems through war just like other kingdoms.
Compiled by
MUGARURA NIXON
