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Monday, 30 December 2013
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Our animal of the day: THE TREE CLIMBING LIONS
It is supposed that this type of lions climb trees as a way of protecting themselves against the numerous biting tsetse flies on the ground level, whereas other people claim the they actually climb into the branches to escape from the heat on the ground and enjoy the cool breeze; nonetheless the reason why they climb up into the tree branches remains unknown.
Let's pray and hope for peace in Southern Sudan, soon.
Lake Katwe "the salt lake" in Uganda. Extracted from The African Timer
On a small lake – Lake Katwe located in Western Uganda, Kasese district-located in the East African rift valley region. The water in this lake is 60% salty. The region is semi-arid and the soil doesn’t favour agricultural activities. Therefore the major economic activity here is salt mining.
Salt has been extracted from this lake since the 13th Century. It’s mined from small plot. When I saw the plots I got surprised. They are not the common plots of land like the ones you will find in central, Eastern or other parts of Western Uganda. These “plots” are ponds 10 by 12 feet or so wide and 3 to 5 feet deep. They are demarcated on the shores of the lake, owned by private individuals or families and inherited. Mining in the center of the lake is only done by licensed individuals. The association for Rock Salt Extraction issues the licenses for extraction of rock salt from the middle of the lake. This type of arrangement was made to ensure that the salt is extracted in an orderly process without causing extinction.
There are three major types of salt mined from this lake:
- Crude salt for animal leak
- Edible salt (sodium chloride)
- Unwashed salt
- Salt winning (winning salt from the plots – done by the women).
- Rock salt extraction is done by the men – 3 days a week.
The women scrap the bottom of the garden to scoop the salt. They use their feet to crash the salt to form small/fine crystals and then wash the crystals forming edible salt (washed salt/ sodium chloride).
Health implications:
The smell of hydrogen sulphide is all over the place (smells like rotten eggs).
There are health complications in this job however. For the women when the female reproductive organs get in contact with this salty water more often, they develop uterus complications.
The men on the other hand are also affected. When the male organs get in contact with this salty water, they itch. This makes them scratch their male organs causing wounds.
The men enter the water at 8am and work up to 5pm. They work for three days a week and each man extracts more than 1000kgs per day.
“We are lucky that in this village we have never had any health complications caused by lack of iodine in the body say goiter”, said Nicholas as he was taking us around the lake.
“At the moment we don’t have a permanent solution to these problems. However we have tried to improvise temporally solutions to both the male and female problems in regard to the health implications”, says Nicholas a tour guide. “The
Stacks of unwashed salt
“For the men, we are using the wrong tool (condom)”. We call it the wrong tool because it’s meant for a totally different purpose. But under the circumstances we have nothing to do about it. The men fit the condom with a rubber-band on the upper end to make it firm” explains Nicholas. This prevents salt water from getting in contact with the male organs.
Apparently a company called International Power Foundation is designing a more permanent solution for them in form of “protective suites”.
I took the liberty of talking to a few locals both men and women. When I asked about the major problems in this area they said that they still have problems accessing medical care. Malaria remains a very big threat to both the adult and children. They have a small health centre which they feel is not
plots - locally known as "ebibanja"
The environment is dirty, plus the luck of pit latrines, cholera outbreaks are also very common around the lake/ mines.
The total population in this area is over 20,000 people of whom 10,000 benefit directly or work on the 4,000 plots around the lake in this salt mine.
Friday, 20 December 2013
Kitagata Hot Springs, in Uganda
The hotsprings also have historical importance as one was used by the King of Ankole and hence referred to locally as ‘Ekyomugabe’, the Kings Spring while the other adjacent one is more known for its medicinal value and referred to as Mulago in reference to Uganda’s national referral hospital.
Many visitors travel to Kitagata to treat themselves to the hot baths or just to catch a glimpse of people bathing in these natural hot Spas. Kitagata hot springs are also well known for their curative waters. Patients from as far as 100 kms flock the springs to soak themselves in the spring waters to heal them. Some other patients drink the sulphur rich waters of the hot springs for cure from rheumatism and arthritis.
The springs are a must visit to anyone visiting Bushenyi and are on the route that easily connects to Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo National Parks in Western Uganda.
Dont Miss Curative Kitagata Hotsprings on your Uganda Safari
Though Uganda doesn’t offers high quality facilities for medical, thermal, spas and wellness services, it offers potential for the development of medical tourism in Africa. With its amazing developments of five-star hotel accommodation that can be added into the package, Uganda can be a choice destination for medical tourists in its interesting Kitagata Hot springs
In the western Uganda district of Bushenyi, Sheema County, Kitagata Hot springs have become another wonder because of its famous for their curative waters. They have become a magnet of those who need healing coming and a hard core in developing medical tourism domestically.
In this place there are two hot springs that are adjacent to each other. History and tales from the locals shows that one of the springs was used by the former king of Ankole called Omugabe and is known as Ekyomugabe. The other spring is believed to have healing powers and is known as Mulago, named after Uganda’s largest and renowned referral hospital!
Kitagata is indeed a referral hospital to the locals. In this place, many people come from different districts and some outsidfe Uganda to bathe in the warm waters of Kitagata Mulago, the one believed to posess curative powers. Many people bathe in the waters of Kitagata Mulago, sometimes as many as 200 in a twenty-four hour period.
The water in the springs can warm up to 80 °C (176 °F). Kitagata is a vernacular for warmth, but because of the popularity of the place, the village and sub-country are also called Kitagata.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
The Physical map of Sudan, Africa
Sudan,
or the Republic of the Sudan as it is officially
referred to as, is situated in the northeastern Africa.
It is the largest nation in this continent and also in
the Arab. In terms of the land area, Sudan is considered
to be the 10th largest nation in the world. On the north
of this country there is Egypt, on its southwest there
are the Central African Republic and Congo, on the
southeast it is bordered by Uganda and Kenya, on its
east it is surrounded by Ethiopia and Eritrea; and it
has the Red Sea on its northeast. River Nile, the
longest river on the planet, bisects this nation from
south to north.
In the year 2009, Sudan was ranked as the world’s 3rd most unstable nation because of the never ending humanitarian crisis (Darfur) and also because of the extensive violation of human rights. The country may be the 17th fastest developing country in the world but it still has many economic problems. Sudan is also rich in mineral resources like nickel, petroleum, copper, natural gas, silver, gold, etc. The most important sector of Sudan’s economy is agriculture because it employs about 4/5th of the working population in the country.
The people from Sudan are called Sudanese.
A Visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, in Rwanda
The Physical map of Burundi, East Africa
Situated
in the very heart of Africa, Burundi is surrounded by
Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bujumbura is its capital and the official languages
spoken are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili
and English are also spoken.Despite the recent years of violence, Burundi remains a
country rich in magnificent landscapes that range from
tropical plateaus to high mountaintops, with huge lakes
and forests. In the south, the Nile tributary forms a
landscape of valleys and hills strewn with banana
groves, eucalyptus trees, savannah grassland and
pastures, while on the mountainside coffee and tea
plantation flourish.The capital is a port-city once colonized by the Germans, where one can admire some fine examples of 19th century architecture as well as visit quite a few museums where artefacts of leather, ceramics, ivory and wood-carvings by the Burundian culture can be viewed.
Regions and sites of interest are Gitenga, the former royal city in the central plains with its impressive Chutes de Kagera waterfall and National Museum or the three lakes of Rwihinda, Rweru and Cohoha where bird-watching is popular, with over 20 different species.
The lake Tanganyika is also a great site for striking views and watersports.
The climate in Burundi is mild and pleasant with two main rainy seasons from February to May and September to November. The hottest region is near the Lake Tanganyika where it is often windy and in the Ruizizi River plain.
The people from Burundi are called Burundians.
Discover north-east Italy for free.: Monselice
Discover north-east Italy for free.: Monselice: Monselice, where yesterday awaits. The impressive Grimani Marcello Cini Castle towers above the city. This building, dating from the 11th ...
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Tuesday, 17 December 2013
A wonderful day to you all..... Please don't forget to follow us.
Sunrise Inn, Mbale Uganda
Facilities
Self contained deluxe rooms
Beautiful quiet gardens
Restaurant serving variety of local dishes
Ample parking and secure Internet DSTV
Rates
Single USD 25 per night
Double USD 35 per night
Executive USD 40 per night
Rates includes bed and breakfast.
Mbale, Resort Hotel, Uganda
Facilities 94 well appointed rooms Conference Hall Restaurant and Bar Swimming pool Health club and spa Ample and secure paking space Wireless internet connection Beautiful gardens Coffee and Tea making facilities in the rooms Hair drier
Rates
Executive double USD 120 per night
Executive Single USD 100 per night
Deluxe Single USD 45 per night
Deluxe Double USD 55 per night
The above rates are inclusive of bed and breakfast.
Mountain Elgon Hotel, Mbale Uganda
Facilities:
Self contained luxury rooms Swimming pool and fitness centre Bar and restaurant Conference Halls Luxurious gardens Wireless internet Wellness centre and spa Ample parking space
Rates;
Single Standard USD 45 per night
Double Standard USD 50 per night
Executive Single USD 55 per night
Executive Double USD 70 per night
Rates are inclusive of bed and breakfast.
Fort Motel, Fort Portal, Uganda
Facilities:
Self contained Deluxe rooms Large and spacious gardens Bar and restaurant Wireless internet DSTV available Good security.
Rates;
Single room USD 70 per night
Double room USD 90 per night
Twin room USD 95 per night
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Today's Quote~~~~~~~
Saturday, 14 December 2013
Hope Tours Safaris Africa: HOPE TOURS & SAFARIS AFRICA
Hope Tours Safaris Africa: HOPE TOURS & SAFARIS AFRICA: Come discover East Africa's beauty, and the rest of Africa, with Hope Tours & Safaris Africa. We have the best services, and offer...
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