Rivers in Uganda – The Pearl of Africa

Uganda is gifted by nature as the country is characterized by beautiful relief and wonderful drainage.The country is endowed with amazing rift valleys, cliffs, hills and Mountains, plateaus, lakes and rivers among others. From that note, Winston Churchill named Uganda, the pearl of Africa! On his visit to Uganda, he was amazed after visiting the Uganda’s top tourist attraction.

River Nile

For over two centuries  (prior to the 17th century), several Greek and Arab scientists and explorers had shown in finding the source of the Nile. Though they were aware of several falls in Uganda, snow capped mountain ranges and a lot more amazing sceneries of Uganda; none of them had stumbled on anything that seemed to be the source of the mighty river.

In the middle of the 19th century two British explorers; Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke clashed over the same question of where the source of the Nile was.

With a few privileges from African Kingdom partnerships such Buganda; John Hanning Speke had the opportunity of exploring the southern part of Uganda (Commonly known as Central Uganda because of the Capital Kampala). In his adventure; he visited several parts of southern Uganda which by then were a hub of wild mostly Antelopes and the big cats.

Finding animals such as the Rhinos, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Kobs among several other animals in the thick impenetrable forests and swamps of southern Uganda intrigued John Speke to coin up one of the phrases Uganda is known for today “The Pearl of Africa”

With his explorer instincts; John Speke continued on the Quest of the source of river Nile that he later happily discovered from a high view point of the Lake Victoria realizing that there was a difference in the water flow with in the same Lake as though some water was gashing out forth right with in the Lake.

The Nile river is the longest river in Africa and the second longest river in the whole world flowing from the south to the north of Africa pouring into the Mediterranean sea. Up to date; the source of the Nile is still debatable but proven facts show other water sources apart from Lake Victoria as simply minor contributors with the main being at the mouth of Lake Victoria.

The mighty River Nile takes top spot as a masterpiece of Mother Nature that stands out as a tourist attraction you must see. With its source in Jinja offering some of the best white water rafting upon the Nile. It then takes on different names (Victoria Nile and Albert Nile) on its way to the Southern Sudan and into Egypt showcasing probably the best scenery you will see around Uganda.

The origin of this river starts in the mighty Lake Victoria, the Victoria Nile flows northwest into Lake Kyoga and out into Lake Albert. It then leaves Lake Albert as the Albert Nile making its way to the Southern Sudan and all the way to Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea.

It is because of river Nile that Uganda is gifted with some of the best falls such as Murchison falls, Aruu falls among several other once in a life time worthwhile destinations.

Kagera River

Kagera River which is the largest of all rivers in Uganda also shared among other three countries namely: Rwanda, Burundi and Rwanda. River Ruvubu with its headquarters in Burundi feeds River Kagera (Some believe this is the true source of the mighty Nile) – on how factual this is, that is not mine to prove but you can join the search at this point.

River Kafu

River Kafu, in the west is another of Ugandan rivers that flows into the Victoria Nile. Its source is a swamps close to the village of kitoma in Kibaale. River Katonga flows out of Lake Victoria northwards into Lake Wamala. One of its streams flows westwards into Lake George that is connected to Lake Edward by the Kazinga channel.

River Sezibwa

River Sezibwa in the southern central flows from a swampy section between Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga via some eye-catching landscapes – notably is the Sezibwa falls, before emptying into Kyoga.

River Mayanja

River Mayanja is another notable river in Uganda. With its source from the hills in Wakiso, Mayanja takes you through some wonderful and charming country side you ought to experience on its way before emptying into River Kafu.

River Sipi

The river is mainly over shadowed by its stunning ranges of  sipi falls.

Other Rivers

Uganda is gifted with multitudes of stunning rivers and falls which include: River Semliki (close to the Semuliki National park), River Mpologoma, River Okere, River Nkusi, river Muzizi, Zoka, Albert Nile, River Aswa, River Pager, the Dopeth-Okok River and River Ora among others.