Katuna
Encyclopedia
Katuna is a town in Kabale District
of Uganda
at the border with Rwanda
. In Kinyarwanda language the town is called Katuna.
. This location is approximately 28 kilometres (17.4 mi), by road, south of Kabale
, the largest city in the sub-region. The coordinates of the town are:00 25 48S, 30 01 03E (Latitude:-1.4300; Longitude:30.0175).
and handles most of Rwanda's imports and exports as most goods from the coast to Rwanda
pass through Uganda
. Due to increased commercial and tourist traffic, Gatuna is a fast-growing town. In the pre-colonial times Gatuna was a very important place. When the first Bakiga (named after their ancestor Kashyiga) arrived in the hills of Kagarama and Rwanyena, fearing to cross the big lake which they named Bunyonyi, (too big that small birds could not cross it), they discovered a shorter route along the plains where there was a tree under which they rested, played and prayed giving thanks to their ancestors before they could proceed to the hills. They called the place Gatuna for a meeting place. However, some fellow Rwandese immigrants who came following their relatives lost their way and went to Rubaya. That time, they migrated from Rwanda in places like Byumba, Murindi, Ruhengyere, Mukaniga and Buganza (especially from the Bumbogo Kingdom) in search of fertile land and to escape natural hazards due to internal political conflicts. When Chief Rubunga was sending envoys to Mpororo, it is at Gatuna under the command of the now called the Abagyesera and Abasigi clans that the first group disobeyed and went towards Ankore. This was the beginning of the decentralization of the Rukiga Kingdom. From that time, different clans were formed and no longer heeding allegiance to the Main Chief. Rubunga belonged to the Bamuhutu ruling as a Mungura. Till today, there’s still a dispute among the Bakiga who was their real King. However, many legends hold that, due to fear of the brutality of the Abungura who mistreated most of the Bakiga, after the death of Rubunga, the Bakiga formed Abakuru b’Ekika (elders of homesteads) but feared to ask the Abungura to give them Umwami or Omukama. Thereafter they elected abakuru b’emidyango (elders of clans who were representatives but since these had to refer to one elder, which idea they did not like, the whole of Kiga Kingdom collapsed. The colonialist benefited this situation by forming one big political district called Kigezi. Today, Gatuna is still largely occupied by the Abasigi, Abagyesera and the Abungura sub-clans. Effective April 2010, the border crossing at Gatuna,Uganda
/Gatuna, Rwanda will open 24 hours daily.
. It was the major exit point for political deserters who came to settle in uganda. Gatuna became a part of the then British Uganda
after the demarcation of the Uganda
-Rwanda
border in 1926, based on an agreement between the British and Belgian governments. This was the last part to become part of Uganda
.
Rubaya
Rubaya Subcounty is the wheat-growing area in the region. 70% of people who live Gatuna, trace their ancestry to Rwanda
. They are believed to have come from parts of Rwanda such as Murindi, Byumba, Ruhengyere and Mukaniga. Others trace their Rwandese roots through marriage between Rwandese
women who got married to Ugandans.
Kamuganguzi
Kamuganguzi on the other hand, is along the main road to Kigali
and the inhabitants are believed to be more sociable compared to those in Rubaya.
Gatuna has many indigenous entrepreneurs who have contributed to the development of the area. Some of the notable businessmen in the area are James Nzeirwe, Thomas Rwomushana, Byenaku, Bernard Twebaze, Edson Mbyemeire, Godfrey Musekura, Bwabuhe.
, Gatuna has the potential to grow into a major border town in Uganda
, just like other towns such as Malaba and Busia. Gatuna has a distinctive terrain. On one side of the road are very steep and rocky mountains that make the construction of houses very tedious and expensive. On the other side of the road is a swampy and marshy valley. To construct houses on the swampy side of the road, one has to first fill the place with rocks and a lot of soil. These two aspects of physical landscape make construction in Gatuna very expensive. They also make Gatuna a very compact place.
in Kabale
town where students from Rwanda
, Burundi
, and DRC
come to study together with Uganda
n students. This young university has distinguished itself by winning a World Bank
grant for promoting the use of information technology. Enrollment of Kabale University now stands at about 1,400 students and is still growing. Some of the students at Kabale University have done their studies in schools neighboring Gatuna such as St. Barnabas Senior Secondary School in Karujanga, Janan Luwum Secondary School in Kamuganguzi, Buranga Senior Secondary School, Rukore High School and Rubaya Secondary School. Kabale University offers both undergraduate and Post-graduate programs.
the nickname "Switzerland of Africa" is evident around Gatuna. The terraced hills look beautiful with the wide variety of food crops and forest cover. Lake Bunyonyi
is located about 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) northwest of Gatuna. The lake can be accessed from Gatuna by following the murram road that passes via Kakoma to Rubaya. The numerous mountains around Gatuna are good for mountain climbing. From Gatuna one can also access Mt. Muhavura, a dormant volcanic mountain close to Lake Bunyonyi. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
is also accessible from Gatuna. There are modest hotels, such as Katuna Inn, where tourists can relax for a drink and local dishes. There is a police station within the town. As of December 2009, there is no bank
on the Ugandan side of the border. Foreign exchange transactions are conducted by money changers who deal with currencies including United States Dollars, Rwandan franc
s and Ugandan shilling
s. Temperatures in the town sometimes fall as low as 40 °F (4.4 °C) at night. But during the day it gets warm, temperatures rising to as high as 60 °F (15.6 °C).
Kabale District
Kabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
at the border with Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. In Kinyarwanda language the town is called Katuna.
Location
Gatuna (Katuna) is located on the Ugandan border with Rwanda, in extreme southwestern Uganda. The town is located in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Ndorwa County, in Kabale DistrictKabale District
Kabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
. This location is approximately 28 kilometres (17.4 mi), by road, south of Kabale
Kabale
Kabale is a city in Western Uganda. It is the 'chief town' of Kabale District and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
, the largest city in the sub-region. The coordinates of the town are:00 25 48S, 30 01 03E (Latitude:-1.4300; Longitude:30.0175).
Overview
Gatuna is a major entrance point to RwandaRwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
and handles most of Rwanda's imports and exports as most goods from the coast to Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
pass through Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. Due to increased commercial and tourist traffic, Gatuna is a fast-growing town. In the pre-colonial times Gatuna was a very important place. When the first Bakiga (named after their ancestor Kashyiga) arrived in the hills of Kagarama and Rwanyena, fearing to cross the big lake which they named Bunyonyi, (too big that small birds could not cross it), they discovered a shorter route along the plains where there was a tree under which they rested, played and prayed giving thanks to their ancestors before they could proceed to the hills. They called the place Gatuna for a meeting place. However, some fellow Rwandese immigrants who came following their relatives lost their way and went to Rubaya. That time, they migrated from Rwanda in places like Byumba, Murindi, Ruhengyere, Mukaniga and Buganza (especially from the Bumbogo Kingdom) in search of fertile land and to escape natural hazards due to internal political conflicts. When Chief Rubunga was sending envoys to Mpororo, it is at Gatuna under the command of the now called the Abagyesera and Abasigi clans that the first group disobeyed and went towards Ankore. This was the beginning of the decentralization of the Rukiga Kingdom. From that time, different clans were formed and no longer heeding allegiance to the Main Chief. Rubunga belonged to the Bamuhutu ruling as a Mungura. Till today, there’s still a dispute among the Bakiga who was their real King. However, many legends hold that, due to fear of the brutality of the Abungura who mistreated most of the Bakiga, after the death of Rubunga, the Bakiga formed Abakuru b’Ekika (elders of homesteads) but feared to ask the Abungura to give them Umwami or Omukama. Thereafter they elected abakuru b’emidyango (elders of clans who were representatives but since these had to refer to one elder, which idea they did not like, the whole of Kiga Kingdom collapsed. The colonialist benefited this situation by forming one big political district called Kigezi. Today, Gatuna is still largely occupied by the Abasigi, Abagyesera and the Abungura sub-clans. Effective April 2010, the border crossing at Gatuna,Uganda
Katuna
Katuna is a town in Kabale District of Uganda at the border with Rwanda. In Kinyarwanda language the town is called Katuna.-Location:Gatuna is located on the Ugandan border with Rwanda, in extreme southwestern Uganda. The town is located in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Ndorwa County, in Kabale District...
/Gatuna, Rwanda will open 24 hours daily.
History
Until 1926 Gatuna was located in the then Belgian RwandaRwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. It was the major exit point for political deserters who came to settle in uganda. Gatuna became a part of the then British Uganda
History of Uganda
The history of Uganda comprises the history of the territory of present-day Uganda in East Africa and the peoples inhabiting the region.-Early independent Uganda:...
after the demarcation of the Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
-Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
border in 1926, based on an agreement between the British and Belgian governments. This was the last part to become part of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
.
Rubaya
Rubaya Subcounty is the wheat-growing area in the region. 70% of people who live Gatuna, trace their ancestry to Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. They are believed to have come from parts of Rwanda such as Murindi, Byumba, Ruhengyere and Mukaniga. Others trace their Rwandese roots through marriage between Rwandese
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
women who got married to Ugandans.
Kamuganguzi
Kamuganguzi on the other hand, is along the main road to Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
and the inhabitants are believed to be more sociable compared to those in Rubaya.
Native Sons & Daughters
Several important people who have steered or are steering the development of the area in the Republic of Uganda and others working for international organizations or institutions trace their ancestry to the Gatuna area. Because of the enterprising spirit of the people of Gatuna, many of them work in the private sector. These sons and daughters include:- Dr. Placid Mihayo
- Dr. Nazarius Tumwesigye Mbona
- Mr. David Kagoma
- Mr. Godwin Kakoma
- Hon. David Bahati Kwesiga
- Hon. Steven Bamwanga
- Mr. Edward Mwesigwa
- Mr. John Bosco Oribakiriho
- Fr. Cyprian Kagaba
- Fr. Aloysius Ndema
- Dr. Fr. Odomaro Mubangizi, S.J.
- Prof. Ben Kiregyera
- Mr. Besogomwe Sebastian
- Mrs. Leonarda Besigomwe
- Mr. Hilary Bakamwesiga
- Mr. Godfrey Turyahikayo Rwehunga
- Eng. Basil Mubangizi
- Mr. Henry Bagazonzya
- Mr. Atuhwere Progress Magezi
- Mr. Charle Musekura
- Dr. Callist Tumwebaze
- Mr. Augustine Byamugisha
Gatuna has many indigenous entrepreneurs who have contributed to the development of the area. Some of the notable businessmen in the area are James Nzeirwe, Thomas Rwomushana, Byenaku, Bernard Twebaze, Edson Mbyemeire, Godfrey Musekura, Bwabuhe.
Natural Attributes
Gatuna is also famous for very fertile lands that are used for dairy cattle keeping and the growing of Irish potatoes. Because of its strategic location at the border with RwandaRwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Gatuna has the potential to grow into a major border town in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, just like other towns such as Malaba and Busia. Gatuna has a distinctive terrain. On one side of the road are very steep and rocky mountains that make the construction of houses very tedious and expensive. On the other side of the road is a swampy and marshy valley. To construct houses on the swampy side of the road, one has to first fill the place with rocks and a lot of soil. These two aspects of physical landscape make construction in Gatuna very expensive. They also make Gatuna a very compact place.
Kabale University
About 26 kilometres (16.2 mi) north of Gatuna, there is Kabale UniversityKabale University
-Location:The main campus of Kabale University is located on Kikungiri Hill, in Kabale Municipality, on of land donated by Kabale District Administration. The location is , off the Kabale-Gatuna Road, approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
in Kabale
Kabale
Kabale is a city in Western Uganda. It is the 'chief town' of Kabale District and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
town where students from Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
, and DRC
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
come to study together with Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n students. This young university has distinguished itself by winning a World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
grant for promoting the use of information technology. Enrollment of Kabale University now stands at about 1,400 students and is still growing. Some of the students at Kabale University have done their studies in schools neighboring Gatuna such as St. Barnabas Senior Secondary School in Karujanga, Janan Luwum Secondary School in Kamuganguzi, Buranga Senior Secondary School, Rukore High School and Rubaya Secondary School. Kabale University offers both undergraduate and Post-graduate programs.
Tourism
Gatuna and the surrounding countryside has tourist potential. The hilly terrain that has earned KigeziKigezi
Kigezi District once covered what are now Kabale District, Kanungu District, Kisoro District and Rukungiri District, in southwest Uganda. Its terraced fields are what gives this part of Uganda its distinctive character. Kigezi was popularly known as the Switzerland of East Africa...
the nickname "Switzerland of Africa" is evident around Gatuna. The terraced hills look beautiful with the wide variety of food crops and forest cover. Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi lies in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. Located at 1,962 m above sea level, it is about 25 km long and 7 km wide. The depth of the lake is rumored to vary between 44 m and 900 m, which if true would make the lake the second...
is located about 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) northwest of Gatuna. The lake can be accessed from Gatuna by following the murram road that passes via Kakoma to Rubaya. The numerous mountains around Gatuna are good for mountain climbing. From Gatuna one can also access Mt. Muhavura, a dormant volcanic mountain close to Lake Bunyonyi. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a national park in the far south-west of Uganda near the town of Kisoro.-Location:The park is located in the Virunga Mountains and is contiguous with the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
is also accessible from Gatuna. There are modest hotels, such as Katuna Inn, where tourists can relax for a drink and local dishes. There is a police station within the town. As of December 2009, there is no bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
on the Ugandan side of the border. Foreign exchange transactions are conducted by money changers who deal with currencies including United States Dollars, Rwandan franc
Rwandan franc
The Rwandan franc is the currency of Rwanda. It is subdivided into 100 centimes.-History:...
s and Ugandan shilling
Ugandan shilling
The Shilling is the currency of Uganda. Technically, the shilling is subdivided into 100 cents but no subdivisions have been issued since the revaluation of the shilling in 1987.-History:...
s. Temperatures in the town sometimes fall as low as 40 °F (4.4 °C) at night. But during the day it gets warm, temperatures rising to as high as 60 °F (15.6 °C).
External links
- Location of Gatuna on Google Maps
- Kabale DistrictKabale DistrictKabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
- Kigezi sub-regionKigeziKigezi District once covered what are now Kabale District, Kanungu District, Kisoro District and Rukungiri District, in southwest Uganda. Its terraced fields are what gives this part of Uganda its distinctive character. Kigezi was popularly known as the Switzerland of East Africa...
- Rwanda/Uganda Border Crossings Open 24 Hours
See also
- KatunaKatunaKatuna is a town in Kabale District of Uganda at the border with Rwanda. In Kinyarwanda language the town is called Katuna.-Location:Gatuna is located on the Ugandan border with Rwanda, in extreme southwestern Uganda. The town is located in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Ndorwa County, in Kabale District...
- Gatuna, Rwanda
- KabaleKabaleKabale is a city in Western Uganda. It is the 'chief town' of Kabale District and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
- Kabale DistrictKabale DistrictKabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
- Kabale UniversityKabale University-Location:The main campus of Kabale University is located on Kikungiri Hill, in Kabale Municipality, on of land donated by Kabale District Administration. The location is , off the Kabale-Gatuna Road, approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...