Bubembe Island

Bubembe Island is an island in Lake Victoria inside the country of Uganda. In the religion of the Buganda people, it is the home of the temple of Mukasa.

Overview

Bubembe Island is one of 84 islands in Lake Victoria known as the Ssese Islands. The islands belong to the Kalangala District , and lie in the north-western section of Lake Victoria. Many of the 84 islands are uninhabited except for a few fishermen, so the forests, and swamps which abound around some of the coasts make the islands a perfect habitat for birds. It should be easy to spot the whale-headed Stork and the many herons and geese, but more exclusive birds include the Grey Parrot, kingfishers and Fish Eagles. The virtually virgin land is rich in plant life, and many, of the species are reportedly new to botanists. [http://www.myuganda.co.ug/tourTravel/ssese.php] . Currently, the island is fighting against heavy environmental degradation.

Culture

Life on the islands is simple, the people welcoming. Life centers around the religion, the fishing boats and the trading centres. In the religion of the Buganda people, Bubembe Island is the home of the temple of Mukasa.

Wildlife

The wildlife on the Islands includes hippo and crocodile, found near the shores, and waterbuck roam freely, as does the shy Sitatunga antelope. In the forested areas, chimps and monkeys are free to swing from the trees. Vervet monkey, colobus monkey, a prolific variety of water and forest birds including hornbill, touraco, flycatcher, weaver, fish eagle, paradise flycatcher, colourful butterflies are simply everywhere.

Environmental Destruction

Recently, the vegetable oil producer Bidco has started to bulldozer parts of the island to set up monocultures of oil palm, used for cosmetics and biofuels. After violent protests, the Ugandan government has stopped further destruction for the moment, but the unique biosphere is currently under serious threat. [Uganda acts to save rainforests http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8D3BC135-615A-4C50-AC06-3D5C23A3DECA.htm]

Access

Bubembe island is a 9 hour steamer trip from Port Bell, or 45 minutes by the local ferry from Bukakata. From Bugala Island it is a 3 hour boat ride to Bukasa Island or 2 hours to Bubembe. Banda Island, another of the Ssese group is also 3 hours by boat from Bugala. URC operated M.V. Barbus from Port Bell to Bugoma. Bugoma is connected by a 25km murram road to Kalangala Town. A local ferry offers daily trips from Bukakata to Bugoma.

Notes