Speke Monument in Uganda
The Speke monument in Uganda is one of the country’s great landmarks with a lot of history and adventure. To understand this monument we need to know the history surrounding it and whom it was built for. On this account, the question of “who is Speke?” comes in and why he needs to be commemorated with a monument. Captain John Hanning Speke was born on the 4th of May 1827 in the United Kingdom, also known as England. He was a military officer and explorer who the United Kingdom sent to Africa. He became very famous in the mid-19th century when he discovered the source of the Nile, the longest river in the world. This discovery paved the way for more explorations across Uganda after it was put on the world map.
In the early years of John Hanning Speke in Africa, he wondered as he traveled across the country where the River Nile gets its water and where it begins. This exploration brought John Speke to Lake Victoria in Uganda, where he became the first European to visit the lake. It was originally named Nnalubale by the locals. But upon his exploration and visit, John Speke named the lake after the then Queen of England, Queen Victoria. He explored a small portion of it because he was partially blinded by the illness he had suffered when we arrived at the coast of East Africa.
Two explorers. One goal
John Speke became the first European to draw a map of Lake Victoria and include it on the map of the world. As he explored the lake, he ventured to Jinja, where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria, and hence concluded that this is the actual source of the River Nile. He stood on the banks of this great river, observing the lake as it pours its waters to the Nile. It was at this very point in 1901, the colonial British government built the Speke Monument to commemorate this important discovery.
However, in this exploration journey, Captain John Hanning Speke was not traveling alone. He was in the company of Sir Richard Francis Burton. Sir Francis Burton, upon reaching the coast, got very ill, and as they continued to Lake Tanganyika, Burton couldn’t go further anymore. This made Speke continue his journey in Uganda alone. Why did they come, someone would ask? Sir Burton and John Speke had come looking for the Great Lakes of East Africa as they were rumored to be located.
Over the years, the Speke monument in Uganda has grown to be an important tourism site in Jinja City. Visitors from across the world travel to Jinja. More so, they witness the exact position where Speke stood. Here, he gazed at what he had stumbled upon, the source of the Nile. Visitors take pictures and take a boat cruise on Lake Victoria to the Rippon Falls. This is the exact point the Nile breaks off to begin its journey. From here, the Nile River flows northwards to the Mediterranean Sea. The Speke monument is located at the Hilltop overlooking the River Nile, giving you a perfect picture of how Captain John Hannington Speke gazed at the source of the Nile.
What are the other things to do in Jinja City?
Jinja City is often considered the tourism city of central and eastern Uganda. This is because of the many tourist attractions and activities it offers. Its proximity to Kampala makes it ideal for exploration and adventure. Below are some of the activities to do in Jinja.
Boat cruise
Boat cruises are one of the major tourist activities in Jinja. Visitors to Jinja take on a boat cruise experience on Lake Victoria, where they experience and explore the source of the Nile. This important feature is highly anticipated in Jinja. While on this boat cruise experience, you spot several bird species, like the cormorants, as they hunt for fish.
Kayaking
Jinja City is a cool city for holidaymakers, and hence, kayaking is one of their popular sports. Visitors in kayaks move on the Nile as they peddle through the small ripples and enjoy the adventures of the Nile. This activity is very safe since the river is free from dangerous aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles.
Tubing
Rubber tubes of air are used to float visitors on the Nile as they enjoy the flow of the water, take pictures, and have a lifetime moment. Tubing is also a popular activity on the Nile, given it is safe and adventurous.
White water rafting
White water rafting is also another activity to do in Jinja City along the River Nile on the Bujagali Falls. Visitors can take on this extreme experience and enjoy the pressures of the water as they battle it out with the rapids. This experience sees about 4 to 6 people on a boat as they peddle through the rapids. It is a fun experience to admire and get entertained by nature.
Bungee jumping
This involves visitors tied with elastic ropes to their feet, jumping head first several meters above the Nile before being lowered down into a boat. Jinja City is the only place in Uganda to find this incredible sport. Bungee jumping is a test of one adrenaline through extreme sports. Bungee Jumping is very safe and secure.
