Biharwe Hill & Eclipse Monument in Ankole, Uganda
Biharwe Hill & Pakwero Eclipse chase: Biharwe is located in western Uganda 12 kilometers from Mbarara along the Kampala- Mbarara road and this village has the Biharwe hill which has a monument in commemoration of the Biharwe eclipse which is dated to have happened in 1520.
The three pillars of this monument represents the three kings who were compeers at the time namely Ntare I Nyabugarobwera of Nkore, Nakibinge of Buganda, Olimi I Rwitamahanga of Bunyoro. Rwitamahanga was the 5th King (Omukama) of the Babito dynasty one of the most courageous ruler of Bunyoro. He invaded Mpororo, Nkore, Buganda, Rwanda raided cattle from those Kingdoms where Nkore lost most of their of cattle herds due to constant raids and suffered severe famine called Eijuga Nyonza where wild berries were used as dowry for brides,
The cows that were abandoned in Biharwe were named by people Ependa ya Munoni and Eduga Mwiguru meaning cows from heaven. This incident happened when Olimi was returning from raiding cattle on their return journey where they had reached Biharwe hill where the eclipse appeared forcing the King and his warriors to flee in confusion leaving the cattle behind.
Biharwe hill provides the stunning view of Igongo cultural center and country hotel and the surrounding areas.
Igongo cultural center
Igongo cultural center is a recreational center which also comprises of the museum which is set on the grounds of the former palace of Ankole King. This museum has a cultural village replica and a heap of info, through artifacts and the place has a restaurant that serves traditional Ankole dishes.
Igongo cultural center is captivating and the museum is known as Eriijukiro with a collection of art crafts, photos, information panels, norms, customs, traditions and history of the people of the south western Uganda and her neighboring Kingdoms
What to do
Hiking to the eclipse monument on Biharwe hill
Visiting former Ankole King’s palace
Visiting Ankole royal tombs
Igongo Museum tour
Traditional beer brewing
Pakwero eclipse chase
Pakwero is found in northern Uganda located north of Murchison falls national park where on 3rd November 2013, Pakwach was the centre where the celebrations of Uganda’s solar eclipse happened which involved many tourists, professionals and the local people. The official celebrations took place at a primary school in Pakwach. The eclipse started on left side where there was a two part diamond ring, which was unusual. It is caused by the angle diameter of the Moon in this case of hybrid eclipse. The magnitude of coverage from Pakwero, Uganda, was just 1, 00259, which means the Sun’s photosphere could easily shine above two different locations of lunar limb at the same time.
What to see
Pakwach has one of the best venues among many at Owiny Primary School where the entire world watched the 7th Hybrid Total Solar Eclipse on Sunday November 3, 2013.
Pakwach Bridge, across the awesome Nile River before it twists to Sudan, from the old London Bridge a good sight to see
Wandelai Emin pashas fort heritage a military camp established by Sir. Edward Schnitzler (Emin Pasha) which was meant to stop slave trade where the main historic remains are the earthen ditches, observation mounds, ruins of Egyptian type red burnt bricks and a steamer docking site.
Amuru Pi hot spring which is near Panyimuru landing site which are said to have significant healing powers
The Eclipse monument at St Jude Thadeo Owiny primary school and the Albert Nile
Wangalei – Puvungu a cultural site with history of the two brothers who separated because of their misunderstandings and one of them is believed to be the ancestral father of the Alur and the Jonam
Pakwach is 5hours 15 minutes away from Kampala on the Kampala – Gulu highway road
