Ssezibwa Falls

Located just 32 kilometers east of Kampala on the way to Jinja, the impressive Ssezibwa Falls is a great place to learn more about Ugandan myths and legends. Surrounded by lush forest and characterized by sharp jutting rocks, the 17-meter-high waterfall lies between Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, on the Ssezibwa River. Baganda locals believe that the falls were born by a woman hundreds of years ago who, instead of twins, gave birth to two rivers, the Ssezibwa and the Bwanda. Today, the waterfall is believed to have supernatural powers, and many natives still visit it in hopes of gaining blessings, wealth, and love.

Ssezibwa Falls is located on the Ssezibwa River flowing through colorful quartz rocks before splitting in two. It is believed that many hundreds of years ago, according to legend, a woman named Nakangu of the Achebe (fox) clan - among the Baganda clans derived from animal nomenclature, did not give birth to twins as naturally expected. Locals believe that the spirits of Ssezibwe and Mobeya, Nakangu's unborn children still live in the river. Given the deeply rooted African belief in the supernatural and the importance of twins in most Ugandan societies, Baganda includes temples that have sprung up at the site. Traditionally, twins were considered by many societies to be the visitation of the gods and indeed their physical manifestation. This is one of the interesting points, that makes Ssezibwa Falls become the most beautiful waterfalls in Uganda.

• Location: Ssezibwa Falls Road, Uganda