Lake Bunyonyi: Islands, Formation, History & Things to Do

Where do you stay

Lake Bunyonyi offers a diverse selection of accommodations, all aesthetically pleasing and situated near the water. A diverse array of lodges, resorts, and homestays is available along the shore and on the islands, catering to all budgetary preferences. Rest on wooden platforms overlooking the lake or in comfortable homestays.

You may also choose to reside in one of the resorts. Expansive safari tents that allow you to hear the nocturnal noises of the jungle and savour your morning coffee on the porch. The water in these lakes is pristine and unpolluted, making swimming essential. It is an ideal location for a brief respite.

Island-hopping in a canoe: who could resist such an experience? Prepare your belongings and reside on a distinct island each night. With a paddle in hand, you will glide across the glassy lake amidst the verdant islands. Reside at Tom’s Homestay for a whole island experience. Anticipate a meal of freshly caught seafood, campfires, captivating narratives, and a personalised tour led by the renowned Tom on his island. At Tom’s, one observes the local lifestyle of the islanders on Lake Bunyonyi. Accommodations are available at resorts including expansive safari tents, where one may experience the nocturnal sounds of the jungle and have morning coffee on the veranda. The water is pristine and unblemished: ideal for swimming!

You may alternate canoeing with a strenuous walk along the Rwandan-Ugandan border. The vista including the undulating hills, terraces, and Lake Bunyonyi is indispensable. If you possess a fervour for avifauna, ensure you carry your binoculars! Bunyonyi translates to ‘place of many small birds,’ and the vibrant avifauna will nearly soar past you!

Let’s discover the islands

1. Akampene (Punishment Island)

The narrative of this little island is ominous.

Until the early 20th century, being unmarried and pregnant in Uganda was regarded as disgraceful. Consequently, the family patriarch, typically the father, would transport an unmarried, pregnant woman to Akampene via canoe.

They would be abandoned there to perish, either from starvation or by drowning in their effort to swim home.

In many regions, women faced punishment through abandonment in forests, being bound to trees, or exposure to wild animals. The guys who impregnated unmarried women would remain unpunished.

Nevertheless, some were rescued by their partners, who would row out, enabling them to depart from Lake Bunyonyi to commence a life together. The farmers and impoverished individuals, lacking the means to provide cows as wedding price, would also preserve them.

This practice was discontinued in the early 20th century, as missionaries relocated to the other islands.

2. Bwama

In 1921, English missionary Dr. Leonard Sharp relocated to Uganda. In 1931, he founded a leprosy treatment clinic on Bwama. Additionally, he constructed a medical facility, patient accommodations, and a church.

Individuals afflicted with leprosy in Bwama were urged to voluntarily isolate themselves from their communities to avert the risk of transmission to others.

The available treatment consisted of a series of painful injections, performed over several months. The centre was closed in the 1980s; nevertheless, the hospital facilities are currently utilised by two boarding schools.

3. Njuyeera (Sharp’s Island)

In 1931 Dr Leonard Sharp moved his family to Njuyeera. The island, fondly termed ‘White Cottage’ (after the family home), became famous for its beauty after Mrs Sharp spent many years planting and nursing trees, bushes, fruits, and vegetables. She was known for her horticultural skills and optimistic demeanour, despite her considerable busyness.

Visitors were permitted on the island, and Mrs. Sharp recorded all arrivals in a ledger. Educational groups frequently visited the grounds, tennis court, boathouse, and guest cottage.

Individuals were amused with cuisine and activities. Occasionally, evening gatherings for individuals from Kabale were organised, during which guests would reside overnight in tents.

Regrettably, most of Njuyeera’s historical significance has been eradicated due to its transformation into a substantial hotel.