First Things First! How
I got to know about the Campaign and how did I win?
I got to know about the
campaign the day UTB launched on 11th September, 2020. The campaign was launched virtually on Visit Uganda’s
Facebook Page. But before the launch I saw the E-Flyer that was making rounds
on Social media, I was so curious to know what Take on the Pearl was all about.
Streaming live the day they unveiled it, I was intrigued to participate when I
heard Claire Mugabe, The UTB Marketing Manager explain how it’s going to work. In
her presentation she said “We will be asking simple questions on our Visit
Uganda page and the right answer with the highest engagements wins a fully paid
trip.” Huh? Did I hear that right? That was my response. Immediately I was
interested and was ready to participate in it. I turned on the notifications of
Visit Uganda Page on Facebook and Twitter to receive notifications when they post any question so that I can participate. Lo and behold the question
was posted on the afternoon of 11th September, 2020. The Question
went as follows “How well do you know your country? Tell us where this tourism attraction feature/destination is found and
stand a chance to win an all-paid-for trip for you and your loved one” And
they attached a photo. The photo looked familiar and I identified it. In my
attempt of the question I said “This is Sipi Falls, located in Kapchorwa
district, Eastern Uganda Sebei Sub region. There are 3 major falls in Sipi,
however in the Photo is a 100 meter waterfall. These falls generate there water
from Sipi river that flows from the ranges of Mount Elgon. #TakeOnThePearl
#UgandaWildnLive #RestartTourism #VisitUganda” This was my simple
answer to the question on Facebook and Twitter. There and then created a link, sent it to my friends
requesting them to like my comment to help me win. A few would ask me what it
was about and I would gladly respond to them. Most of them that I contacted
they helped out and invited more of their friends to like my comment on
Facebook. My comment to that question earned the highest engagements both on
Facebook and Twitter but they considered the Facebook engagements which were around 315 likes. Just I forgot
to tell you that there’s one of participants who tried to gather his likes by
creating fake accounts I realized it and reported him to Visit Uganda Page.
It’s true he gathered more likes in that way and surpassed my likes, he reached
350 likes and I had 315 but most of his likes were not genuine and that’s how
he lost to me. It must have been sad for him! I guess! Right? It didn’t bother
me in anyway because what he did was wrong. Am glad he was disqualified!
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Print Screen of Visit Uganda Facebook Page. |
Declared
As the 1st Winner of Take on the Pearl Tourism Campaign
I remember when, a
friend broke the News to me via WhatsApp as the first winner of the Take on
Pearl Tourism Campaign, I was exuberant and elated, it was such mind-boggling
time for me, inundated with bundle of laughs, not because I won but because of
support and love my friends exhibited. My phone buzzed every second, friends
congratulating me. Visiting Facebook at that time, made walk in cloud 9,
because of the numerous congratulatory messages that were sent in. I saw tears
of joy roll through my chicks. This all happened on Tuesday 15th
September 2020.
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| Declared as a winner. This flyer circulated on various social media platforms on the 15th September 2020 |
Thursday 17th
September was a day for me to prepare, I remember that day I did laundry of a
few clothes and later packed my staff in my bag ready to go the next day. Did I
tell you how I felt Friday so far yet so near? Yes! Its chucklesome right? Anyhow I could wait for Friday to come and
jump into that Van. That evening of Thursday 17th September I
received another call from Albert. Albert works with Talent Africa and he was
my contact person for this trip. Albert on a phone call, informed me about
Friday’s program (The Day the trip was to begin) and I was amused about it.
Day
1 Flagging off the team.
Early morning of Friday 18th September 2020, I wake up as early as 5:00am EAT took a shower, dressed up and left home at 5:40am to the pickup point, where my work driver always picks me from. We headed to office first where I work from to pick a few things and later proceed to Uganda Tourism Board Offices at Lugogo House where the flag off took place. The flag was to take place at 8:00am EAT and I made sure by 8:00am EAT am there. And yes I was there by that time. On arrival at UTB offices 5th Floor Lugogo House I was welcomed By Suzan Atwijukire one of the employees at UTB, very friendly and charming. I felt I had reached home. She requested me to have a sit as we waited for the Media Influencers including Alex Muhangi, Cleopratra Kyoherwe and Natasha Sinayobye, media team who were part of the flagging off ceremony and the CEO Lily Ajarova who flagged us off.
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| PHOTO: Lily Ajorova, CEO Uganda Tourism Board flagged us off |
Setting
off to Jinja
After a little
engagement with the media we boarded into our respective vans to be flagged
off. It was an exciting moment, seeing us set off ready to take on the pearl
alongside these amazing people. Our first stopover was at Shell Nakawa along
Jinja road for fueling and later proceeded to Jinja. Traffic that day was
nasty that we spent 3hours on the road to Jinja a journey that takes 1hr30mins
usually, but still the journey was amazing.
A stopover at Jinja
Nile Bridge, was so exciting, gazing at how waters of the Nile follow, onto
their way to North Africa, the cool breeze along the river brought life. The
sun was scorching, however the walk along the Nile with the cool breeze on the
Nile changed everything. How beautiful it was to walk through this 525M long
bridge and feel the winds of the blow and taste the fresh airs of the Nile.
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| Photo moment with L-R Aly Allibhai CEO Talent Africa, Alex Muhangi CEO Comedy Stores, Natasha Sinayobye Actor, Cleopatra Koheirwe, Dominic Tugume, Sandra Nguna Miss Tourism Busoga 2019/2020 and Bismark Amumpaire Travel Show host at NBS at the Jinja Nile Bridge. |
Shortly after that we
headed to Jinja City for a quick snack and proceeded to Mbale. It took us
another 3 hours to reach Mbale Resort Hotel, where we spent the night. On
arrival at Mbale Resort we were warmly welcomed by Irene the Receptionist/Front
Office Personnel, who checked in and allocated us all our rooms. While checking
us in all preventative measures were taken, they made us sanitize before we
entered the Hotel facility, social distance maintained while signing the guest
forms and the pen used to sign separated from the others, which the next person
will use. I felt at home already away from home and safe after all the
preventive measures were taken.
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| Checking in at Mbale Resort. |
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| A photo Moment with the Celebrities. L-R Cleopatra, Natasha, Alex and Dominic |
Later my bellboy helped
me carry my luggage into my room, I was wowed, how marvellous and couthy this
room was. Strategically located facing the green area surrounding the hotel,
well furnished, clean and pleasing. Checked in, placed my luggage right and
went for short interview, to narrate how my day was and the journey in general
as we waited for dinner to set up. A three course buffet meal was set up at the
pool area of the Resort ready to be served. A few of us who were at the pool
already waited for the rest of the folks who were freshening up join in us and
serve. It was a cheerful evening, with lots of jokes and jest. Of course it
wouldn’t be boring after the whole CEO of Comedy Store Alex Muhangi travelled
with us! You can guess what happened! Huh?
A silent disco was set
up, for those who wished to bop and get down, it was a perfect time for them
before they hit the hay. Would you ask yourself why I used “They” it’s because
I wasn’t part of it! Really? Yes! I was just on my phone and everyone was
wondering, c’mon it’s your trip Man! You need to something. You can guess the
response. Lol! Soon afterwards went to rest, looking forward for another day of
enjoyment.
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| Silent Disco headset being setup |
Day
2 of Our Trip
A wonderful night it
was, I saw myself wake, praised the living God for the gift of the new day, did
my morning devotion as I sipped a cup of Africa tea that I made that morning
right in my room. Breakfast was served at the restaurant, take took it, checked
out and drove to Gangama Hill where Semei Kakungulu Heritage Site is located.
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| Breakfast Time: Lovely Breakfast served before we set off for Semei Kakungulu |
Visiting
Of Kakungulu Memorial Site
On arrival at Gangama
Hill, we were gladly received by Wasswa Stephen who was our guide at the site.
Stephen welcomed and briefed us. He gave us a wonderful preamble about the site
and which left us all amazed how rich in history the site is. Look out for my
story on this same blog to learn more about Semei Kakungulu a Ugandan States
Man. One thing I liked about this sites is the way how the care takers of this
site have preserved some of the equipment used by Semei and the house he lived
in 100 years ago.
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| At the site. In the background is Semei Kakungulu's House he lived in |
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| At the mausoleum of Semei Kakungulu |
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| A photo moment after the Mausoleum Visit |
Driving
to Sipi Falls
A few hours later, we
got back in our vans and headed to Sipi Falls and left Mbale. The journey from
Mbale to Sipi is a beautiful one, your eyes can have enough of the beauty of
the landscape, as you glimpse at the Elgon ranges so magnificent to gaze at.
The weather in Sipi is so interesting, having left Mbale so bright and sunny
only to be shocked when we found heavy down pour in Sipi Falls. I was a little
bit sceptical and afraid how hiking would be possible when it has rained given
the terrain of Sipi Falls but my cares and worries were driven away on arrival
at Rafiki Lodge. A warm welcome with a glass of Melon juice was so refreshing
as we prepared to hike. We were behind schedule a bit and we didn’t check-in
our rooms till we came back from the hike.
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| Photo moment on arrival before the Hike |
Shortly after the glass of juice we were briefed by our guide Job Soyekwo, young, vibrant, passionate and eloquent guide. He took us through the does and don’t and we wished us best of luck in our hiking. Job was helped by Ramazan Neibei who was our second guide. After the briefing we headed into our vans for a short drive to redeem time, we couldn’t walk to the falls since we were behind schedule already, though walking gives you the best experience as you walk through the community.
Approaching the water
falls you would here the falls roar from a distance of 200m away, the cool
atmosphere was mind blowing. We hiked the first water fall of 85m, and the
experience was just marvellous. I loved getting wet from the falls, though a
few minutes later I quivering, Lol! You would ask “what where you looking for?”
Well! For you to ponder on Lol!
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| With Cleopatra at the 80m Waterfall freezing 😁 |
Soon afterwards we
headed, to the next waterfall, guess what activity was next? Abseiling! Yes I
mean Abseiling. Just in case you’re wondering; what’s Abseiling? No worries I
will explain in the next lines. This was my main activity that I was looking up
too while in Sipi, I had done most of the activities before but not abseiling.
Somehow I was nervous and courageous, my adrenaline was high and low, not
because I was afraid of it but because of the weather, it was so cold on me, I
couldn’t stop quivering, I made quick push ups to get myself warm and it
worked!
Job our guide still
took us through the safety measure of Abseiling us the bold, who dared to
abseil. Quickly we got the equipment on meanwhile as it threatened to rain but
that didn’t stop us. Sandra and I were the first people to get abseiled in our
group though we found some other group that were abseiling upon arrival.
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| Sandra and I, Abseiling on the 100m waterfall. |
Sandra was a bit nervous about it but she desired to do it, I encouraged her, since we were doing it together. She was a little bit convinced, until we got abseiled. Tight on her rope, with an agitated face, you could tell she was anxious but she was determined. While descending down I saw close her eyes which later she told me she was saying her last prayers. Lol! Yet me the excitement I had because I had conquered my fear to abseil. Watch Video here; 👉https://youtu.be/M_vXkikQh1o
The experience is mouthwatering and unexplainable, but it’s a great one unforgettable, descending the 100m water
fall as you look down in the plunge pool it’s just amazing. You have to try it
out one day if you haven’t
This climaxed our day
as we looked forward for great evening during the campfire. We headed back to
the lodge for to freshen up, have dinner and get ready for a special cultural
performance from the Sebei Cultural dance group in Sipi Falls as we gathered
and surrounded the fire at the fire camp. Our day 2 night was lit.
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| A cultural Performance by the Sabiny Cultural Troop at Rafiki Lodge |
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| Camp Fire at Rafiki Lodge |
Job our guided
suggested something to me before I went to burn the candle at both ends, “I
want you to wake up at 6:00am EAT, get out of your cottage sit outside with the
cup of coffee and gaze at the sunrise” “Good idea” I responded in affirmation.
“Who will get me a cup of coffee” I asked? “I will tell someone to do it for
you” He responded! “Deal!” That was my last comment as I headed to lay my head
down.
Day
3
Lo and behold it was
already morning guess what time? “6:35am” so bright that I expected. “Huh?”
Startled how I had missed the sun rise, yet it was still 6:35am. Quickly I
rushed to have gaze at the sunrise, as I reflected and wondered how God’s
creation is so perfect. Didn’t see it for long shivery on me, I couldn’t hold
it. But my eyes were glued through the window on the sunrise. Not so long I
bathed and joined the time for break. Soon after breakfast we headed to Lacam
Lodge for quick photo shots and interviews to share our experience as we
starred at the falls. Lacam lodge gave us a spectacular view of Sipi Falls the
beautiful scenery was just mind blowing. In my interview with Alex Muhagi, I
did mention how my Sipi was so dear to me and would love to go back again and
again. Of course my major highlights being Abseiling and the sunrise though we
missed the sunset because it was cloudy by the time of visiting. We left Sipi
For Kampala everyone happier and rejuvenated. Watch full highlights of the trip here 👉; https://youtu.be/2iyxx3GuO4E
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| Our journey back to Kampala |
Great Thanks to UTB who
organised the Take On the pearl Tourism Campaign, Talent Africa Group, my
Mates: Alex Muhangi, Cleopatra Koheirwe, Natasha Sinayobye and Sandra Nguna.
They made this trip so memorable and exciting.
Thank you for taking time to read my story.
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