The following article will be extremely helpful to Kampala tourists planning to visit Masaka town. We cover everything from how to get there to what you can do there.
The town of Masaka is primarily known as a market town and a major commercial center for the surrounding coffee-growing region. Its roads also connect travelers to Mbirizi, Lyantonde, and Mbarara.
This little town is located west of Lake Victoria in Uganda’s Buganda Region. There are quite a number of things to do and see in Masaka town for tourists.
Tourists in Kampala planning to visit Masaka town will find this article very helpful. We share everything from how to get to Masaka town to the things you can do when in town. Let’s get straight to it.
Relax on a sandy beach on Lake Nabugabo’s shores
Lake Nabugabo’s beaches are a short distance from Masaka town. Tourists love the location for canoeing, swimming, and fishing. Additionally, it is well-known for camping, lovely bandas/cottages, fishing, and motor rallying competitions.
Recreational activities like beach football and volleyball are among the other pastimes. It’s a great location for people that came with families or large groups.
Board a Matatu from Kampala to Masaka
Masaka town is a charming little town perched atop a hill. From afar, you can see a massive radio mast. The town serves as the starting point for trips to Ssese Island, Kalangala, and Entebbe.
If you plan to visit the island the same day, make sure your Matatu leaves Kampala by noon and arrives in Masaka.
Buses and matatus go daily from Kampala to Masaka. Get to one of Kampala’s two bus stations early in the morning because buses there take two hours and typically depart shortly after dawn. Later in the day, the Matatu’s resume. Kampala is 128 kilometers from Masaka.
Bukakata Landing Site
This region serves as the entrance for tourists traveling to Kalangala and other Lake Victoria regions.
The area is mainly used by tourists traveling to Masaka or those coming from the Entebbe side. Fishing also happens here as done by the local fishermen in the area.
Masaka District’s tourism industry would benefit from the development of infrastructure in the area such as hotels, craft shops, and lodging facilities.
Visit the Lake Nabugabo Holiday and Conference Centre
About 21 kilometers from Masaka town, the center is located on the shores of Lake Nabugabo in the Masaka district.
Missionaries initially provided funding for the estate, which was later given to the Church of Uganda for use as a vacation destination and conference venue.
Canoeing, sport fishing, relaxing on sandy beaches, bird watching, swimming, and camping are just a few of the things that are done there. The location also offers resort lodging options in addition to camping.
Check out the Crafts and Souvenirs Industry
In Masaka Town, there are several shops and stores selling crafts and souvenirs, particularly along the main road.
The town is blessed with a variety of wetlands whose resources can be used to create goods for both domestic and international markets. The district’s common tree species, like banana and backcloth trees, offer raw materials that the crafts sector can utilize.
So on your travels, you may stop by and pick a few pieces to gift your friends and family back home.
Watch different cultural performances
Masaka town hosts several performances of rich Ganda culture almost every weekend. There are already numerous organized ensembles that perform for pay.
The overnight tourist package menu may be improved by adding cultural performances, such as storytelling.
Visit St Henry’s College Kitovu
The White Fathers established the secondary boys’ boarding school known as St. Henry’s College Kitovu in 1922. It is government-funded. The capital city of Uganda, Kampala, is 120 kilometers away in the Masaka District where it is situated.
On Kitovu Hill, close to the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Kitovu, the College has situated 4 km from Masaka Town and 2 km from the Nyendo suburb.
Many organizations, including Kitovu Hospital and the Masaka Diocesan Development Organization, are located nearby (MADDO).
Nabajjuzi Swamp
You shouldn’t miss visiting the Nabajjuzi Swamp in Masaka. Numerous endangered species, including the Sitatunga swamp antelope, the Shoebill, and the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, can be found in Masaka’s Nabajjuzi wetland, which is significant on a worldwide scale.
More than 500,000 residents of the surrounding town of Masaka rely solely on it for their water.
However, despite the wetland’s enormous value for both biodiversity and the surrounding population, unchecked human activities like garbage disposal, excessive material extraction, and hunting of rare species have made it critically threatened.
Conclusion
It’s almost impossible to pass through Masaka town and not visit these places we’ve shared. Masaka, just like Jinja, Gulu, Mbarara, Lira, and others is among Uganda’s major cities.
Not only do they link you to other districts around the country, but they offer travelers and tourists so much to do.
You can visit the sand beach on Lake Nabugabo in Masaka or pay to watch cultural dance performances, and shop for crafts & souvenirs among other things.
