Popularly known as Embuga among the Bakonzo and Batooro communities, Rwagimba Hot Springs are located on the banks of the River Rwimi. The hottest spring is called Kanyungu Kasero meaning Boiling Pot. The springs are located 14 kilometers from Nyakigumba town along fort portal Kasese Road. The tribal communities around the hot springs belong to two cultural monarchies of Tooro and Rwenzururu.
The hot springs are believed to have bothe physical and spiritual healing powers that heal various diseases. The King of Tooro Rukiidi was one of the ardent visitors to the hot springs. He would be carried by his subjects on their shouldres to spend days in the warm waters. One of the bath pools was especially designated for the king for his royal bath.
Spritual leaders come to this place to consult their ancestoral gods especially in times of pandemics and natural disasters like landslides, earthquakes and floods. No wonder, these mountain areas are prone to climate vagaries. So the local people find solace in seeking aswers on issues beyond their comprehension. Other people come to the offsprings to cleanse themselves from bad omen.
There are unwritten taboos to protect the social constructs of the indigenous communities. For instance, the caretakers of the site prohibit women and men to bathe naked in the same bathe pool. It is believed that Endyoka, the god of the water, would cause infertility to the culprits.
Originally, the hot springs were shared between two indigenous communities; 20 on the Batooro side and 18 on the Bakonjo side. Unfortunately, most of the hot springs have been washed away in the flooding Rwimi River, leaving on 3 hot springs on the Tooro side and none on the Konjo side. Through initiatives of intercultural dialogue by the Rwagimba Hot springs Heritage Conservation Trust, both communities have learned to mutually leave together and share nature-given resources.
Constant flooding of the river and destruction it causes to the Rwagimba Hot Springs is evidence to show how climate change disrupts nature and our natural heritage. Flooding destruction is a result of destructive human activities on the upper slopes of the mountain and RHHCT’s nature restoration activities including creating community awareness and reforestation is geared towards this cause.
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