The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves
The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves : Uganda is a nation filled with beauty beyond anyone’s Imagination. This is a country blessed beyond primates and the big five animals that most of us know it for. Do not associate Uganda with only the wildlife species but look far beyond. This country is blessed with several cultural, geological and water resources. One of such vital attractions is the Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves – also referred as the “Nyakasura Caves”.
These are located about 10 kilometres from Fort Portal City which is one of the cleanest town in Uganda. Fort Portal city is in Kabarole district in the western part of Uganda and is a now known as the Tourism city of Uganda as it is a hub to national parks like Queen Elizabeth national park, Semuliki national park, Mount Rwenzori and Kibale national park.
It is locally believed by the Batooro that Bukuku who was the king of the Batembuzi dynasty that are also said to have been demi-gods, had a beautiful daughter called “Nyinamwiru”. The king proposed a man that his daughter would marry but she refused this and she left her home and settled at this place. This kind of disobedience infuriated the king and his subject and he ordered that her breasts be cut off and threw them in this cave. This was done so that she would never get married to any other man that she would choose for herself. So these “Amabere ga Nyinamwiiru” are believed to be her breasts and the white substance dripping is believed to be her breast milk.
Others say that the Nyinamwuri ran away from home to hide in a cave when she became pregnant to the Batembuzi King Isaza and later gave birth to their son, Ndahura. Unable to breastfeed the infant herself she used what looked like milk dripping from the stalactites, which appeared milky because of its calcium content. Ndahura went onto fulfil a prophecy that he would become king and take over Bukuku’s throne, a throne that was rightfully Isaza’s. Ndahura went on to form one of the great empires of the Great Lakes area of Africa.
However, Amabere ga nyina Mwiru are actually stalagmites and stalactites which the Batooro who inhabit this region have interesting historical stories attached to their formation hence their local name which means “breasts of Nyina Mwiru”. This site is therefore one of the protected cultural sites by the Batooro people.
What to see while at the Amabere Nga Nyinamwuri caves
There are many features around the area that you can see when you visit the caves. There is a waterfall nearby where you will enjoy the breeze of the flowing water and the hissing sound of the water. When you visit this place and listen to the myths, you will relate because of how these stalactites and stalagmites have shapes like female breasts.
The surrounding environment of this area has other amazing features such as the explosion crater lakes which were given names according to the myths attached,
Lake Kigere – This lake is in the shape of a foot and is believed that the depression that is filled with water was formed by a foot of one of the members of the Batembuzi. Other crater lakes there are Lake Nyabikere meaning which means a place full of frogs and Saka. This place also has stunning green hills known as Nyakasura hills where you’ll hike to view the crater lakes and villages and towns around.
When you visit this site, you will explore the Caves, waterfalls inside the caves. Every attraction you come across within this site has a significant meaning. Is it the dripping milk-like substances from the large overhanging Caves, the steaming sounds of the waterfalls or the appearance of the 3 explosion craters? Everything here is magical and interesting. Nyinamwiru is literally translated as “the breasts of Nyinamwiru”
The best time to visit Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiu
These caves and surrounding areas can be visited any time of the year. They are close to the main town of Fort Portal and can easily be accessed all year round.
You can consider visiting these caves on your safari to Kibale forest national park for chimp trekking, Semuliki national park where you’ll see the Sempaya male and female hot springs or combine it with a visit to other crater lakes in this region such as Kyaninga crater lake, Lake Nkuruba and other breath-taking places like Bigodi wetland near Kibale national park and city tours around Fort Portal town not forgetting to visit the palace of Toro Kingdom. The accommodation facilities around these crater lakes have serene environments for example Kyaninga lodge, Ndali lodge, CVK Lakeside resort and Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve where you can go for camping. Other hotels around fort portal where you can stay at on your visit are Mountains of the Moon hotel, Backpackers hostel, Chimpanzee forest guest house among others.
