This cultural and historical attraction is situated in Sezibwa, Mukono along the highway from Kampala-Jinja road. It is said that about 100 years ago, a woman from the Fox woman named “Nakangu” was supposed to give birth to twins, but she mysteriously gave birth to two rivers and it is believed that Nakangu’s unborn twins-Mobeya and Sezibwa still live on and are sheltered in the waters of the river. There are two rivers that flow from Sezibwa past the peaceful Island that separates them onto two separate streams which is the origin of the myth that is being told including how the rivers came to existence.
It has always been a tradition for Baganda passing by the source of the rivers to throw stones into the waters for good fortune/luck. Even up to date, the birth of twins in Buganda is associated with some kind of supernatural powers/occurrence. People up to today use local brew beer, sacrifice animals like goats, chicken and use backcloth when twins are born. Some women who give birth to twins still go back to the area within Sezibwa falls to pay respect to the Rubare-a spirit not a god or gods and the “Katonda”0the god to honor them with a gift. There is a fertility shrine in this site, found within an indention in the rocks by the Waterfalls. Traditional herbalists always visit the site to offer their prayers to the gods, to request for blessings and powers to heal several diseases and some locals who are also sick visit the place for healing, wealth, protection against enemies and as for blessings among others. Firewood is always burnt because it is believed that the smoke takes the prayers to the spirits in the Sky. Some of the items you will find as the shrines include cowrie shells, pots, Calabashes and coffee beans among others. The locals believed that these mentioned/listed items connect them directly to the Spirits
The moment you step foot in this Place, the air and the steaming sounds of the mysterious waterfalls adds to the excitement of visiting this riveting destination. Not only was this site visited by commoners, even the Kings visited it because of its rich cultural and historical significance. These Kings mostly visited and planted trees, for example Kabaka Mwanga II planted a Giant Olive tree and whenever he would visit this site, he could sit under a tree it while he conducted Kingdom meetings. The current King-Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II visited the site in 2002 and planted a tree.
Surprisingly, part of this falls is managed by the Church of Uganda (Anglican Church of Uganda) where Christians converge to pray and meditate, and sometimes even baptism is done in these waters. Everything about the Sezibwa Falls is magnificent especially the relaxing and restive environment for people who wish to release/relieve stress, breathtaking views of the waterfalls can capture the attention of passersby.
The fact that it is even not far from Kampala, it is one of the reasons why you should visit it. Tourists who visit this site mostly relish its natural and serene setting. Besides the waterfalls itself, several engrossing activities exist within and near the sezibwa falls and they include Rock climbing, bird watching (because this waterfalls is a home to over 150 species of birds including the Woodland Kingfishers, Olive sunbird, Black-and-white Mankins, Little Green Sunbird, White-chested Negrofinch White-throated Bee-eater, Green-headed Sunbird, Cormorant, Great Blue Turaco, Lesser-stripped Swallows, and Red-eyed Dove, biking/riding, nature walks and sightseeing, picnics and camping among others and visit to Mabira Forest..
How to Reach Sezibwa Falls
This fascinating site is situated about 32 kilometers/45 minutes to one hour’s drive from Kampala (on the Kampala-Jinja road) hence is perfect for stopover tours while on your way to Jinja or other Eastern Uganda districts. You can visit the falls on an organized day trip in Uganda offered by several tour operators.
Therefore, the Sezibwa waterfalls is one of the magical cultural features/attractions that Uganda boasts of, which diversifies the country’s tourism to reduce on over reliance on wildlife and bird species.