Kitagata Hot Springs in Southwestern Uganda

The Kitagata hot springs are found in western Uganda in Shema district Ishaka – Kagamba road south east of Kitagata town. There are two hot springs adjoining to each other separated by a single road where many people come to enjoy these springs and everyone is allowed to enjoy these springs. The word Kitagata in Runyankole language means warm water and these springs are supplied by River Ngaromwenda which flows from Buhweju district

Eky’omugabe hot springs

These kitagata hot springs are locally known as Mugabe or Ekitagata Kyomugabe which was named after the former King of Ankole John Patrick Barigye who often used the springs. These Mugabe hot springs have the hottest waters

These ones are hot enough to boil eggs and they are also use to cook porridge known as Obushera. They are believed to cure diseases like ring worms

Mulago hot springs

These Mulago hot springs are known for its healing powers where when a person is sick they go and they dip them into the water and get healed and for those with stomach problems also drink on the water and get healed. For babies they are dipped in wearing their nappies

Women and children have their zone and also men have their own zone.

The communities living near these springs they believe in them so much and they people who soak themselves in this water are not allowed to bathe with soap.

While entering in these waters people enter naked and are not ashamed because they believe that if you’re ashamed you won’t get healed

These hot springs are rich in minerals like magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium sulphate among others. These springs have never recorded a history of a scenario of spreading of diseases from one person to another and yet very many people bathe in it.

Kitagata hot springs is surrounded by stunning views of beautiful valleys and hills and also the vast vegetation.

Best time to visit

The hot springs can be visited throughout the year but the best time to visit is during the dry season because during the rainy season a times Ngaromwenda River floods which causes temperature changes on the hot springs

Kitagata hot springs can be accessed by road which is 350 kilometers from Kampala, 72 kilometers Mbarara town and 1-2 kilometers from Kitagata town.