Kyambura Safaris

01/11/2026

Naalya Motel is probably one of the hidden gems of Kampala. Perfect escape for staycations in green spaces. Perfect for 2 & coffee dates. 0775 414596

01/09/2026

https://lnkd.in/p/dh8TdAZe
The "People's King" that Oyo was.

For hours and now days, I have lived in denial that 'Our' King Oyo is gone forever.
In early 2002, Mr. Muhangi Jossy, the then Editor of Orumuri newspaper, which was part of the Vision Group assigned me to cover a story where the young King was to have audience with the newly appointed Ministers at his Muyenga home. At the time, I was the Kampala-based Orumuri 'correspondent.' The function was on a Sunday afternoon.

My contact was Mr. Meshach Kawamara who was the Kingdom's Spokesperson. Mr. Kawamara was later on appointed a Resident District Commissioner RDC) in the Central Government.

The function was to begin at 3pm and it indeed began just a few minutes before 3pm. For protocol purposes, we were to be at the venue by 2pm. Bodaboda taxis were not as common as they are now.

So, I took a taxi from Tagore Crescent's Kamwokya where I stayed and found my way to the Old Taxi Park, boarded taxis headed to Muyenga and disembarked at the Zzimwe Road junction. I walked up to the King's residence by 2pm.

At 2:30pm, men and women with a passion for Kingdom who had been appointed to serve as volunteer Ministers, were led by Stephen Nyabongo Rwakijuma to the sprawling and well manicured grounds and took their seats.

The women were dressed in exquisite and colourful myenda (Tooro's national dress for the women) and the men in kanzus with beautiful coats in various shades. With my canon camera, I took my shots only to select 3 exposures back at the darkroom office.

" "
"Hangiriza Entale ya Tooro"
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Then the emerged from the house; all looking beautiful, sweet, regal and powerful. I was enveloped by a shiver! My skin grew stiff and my face blank! I was in a momental trance.

And then the Anthem was sang. We all sat after he had taken his seat. , sat a few steps behind the King. The sister, Batebe Komuntale sat a step or two away from the King on the left. The King was stern and serious all through.

We had been served tea, soda and healthy snacks before the King's arrival.

The Omuhikirwa presented the Ministers to the King, and each one of them stepped forward and he touched their shoulders. Without turning their backs on him, they resumed their seats.
He said a few words to us. In less than an hour, the ceremony was done. I got my first page 1 story with a picture in the weekly Orumuri and my first in The New Vision.
When the King turned 18, he visited Kyaka County. My mother's little brother, Aliganyira Paskali, a carpenter in Kyegegwa was tasked to make a seat for the King during the visit, which he handcrafted. The King shook his hand for skilling Banyakyaka. That was my other only moment to come close to the King, who at only 34, People's King has been called by his ancestors.

Aggrey is a retired journalist and hosts at Naalya Motel; [email protected]; +256775414596

15/05/2026

Where are you going to spend your weekend if it's not Naalya Motel? Give us a call now and we book your room now. Starting from 65K per night bed only.

07/04/2026

A blend of travel and agro-tourism.

As a boutique travel company, Kyambura Safaris endeavours to give a full package experience of its customers. On this occasion, at Dinner, while at in Murchison Falls National Park, I mentioned it to our guests that on our way to Kampala, just a few kilometres to Kiboga Town and within Kyankwazi district, I know an organisation; that is doing an amazing job. They teach community members the mechanics of ; Someone called it "Farming the God's way"
This was after Albert and team served very juice fruits and we got talking food and agriculture. In my earlier life, I spent close to a decade working for and so, I know a thing or two about agriculture.
Unanimously, they all agreed that we should indeed spend at least an hour at the demonstration farm.
The superlatives were exhausted; amazing, fantastic, excellent, wonderful....It was a time well spent looking at the kitchen gardens, a blend of herbs and vegetables, tapping and making use of run off water, mulching, intercropping and intentional chaos away from monoculture.
Allan and his team have outdone themselves.

11/07/2025

19/09/2024

One of my acquaintances said; "How can it be that you have nothing to say or even to write? We know you can always say something meaningful to us" Another said; "Aggrey, I look up to you because, man, you cannot lack words to write on any subject."
I forgive you two because the process that I go through to have something meaningful to say or write is rough.

Today, I come wholly to share that I am forever grateful. One person I met 23 years ago and has now become a wonderful big sister says; "You are pathetically thankful. Why?" It was not until Julie Nabwire visited my village of Kichwamba Nyakashozi, Nyabubaare No.2 in Bunyaruguru (Bunyaruguru Pictorial) in present day Rubirizi District, where I was born 48 years ago that she understood and appreciated why I am always thankful. So, on my birthday, which fell two days ago, I could only come here and share with you that I am utterly thankful.

I share a birth month with one of my sons; Ntambi and therefore, we cut the same cake. On the cake, my partner Judith Judithehotone instructed the cake lady to write the words; "The family's world" on my side and on Ntambi's side; "The Family's Saviour." She planned this and executed it with the children. I think it is a huge expectation or even to know that these fellows think I am their world! To look behind and there are 8 human beings who think you are their world is massive.

Again, looking back at the journey of 48 years, I can only be thankful and probably would sing 's song "Ani yali Amanyi?" which, simply translates as; "Who Knew?" And, he answers his question as; "Okujjako Mukama Katonda" which, translates as; "It can only be God"

Looking at the turns and twists in my life, even when I sometimes have my doubts, I admit, it can only be God. I have doubted God so many times but then, when I see the amazing things that have happened in my life, I am jolted to accept there is a Superior Being. I have had a fair share of a series of tests where He proves over and over again that I am nothing without Him. I may not be in the habit of Public Display of God (PDG) but if you knew a little of me, you would believe me if I tell you, it can only have been God.

So, what lies ahead for me?
I will, just like the SANKOFA bird (Please about the SANKOFA Theory), I am carrying with me a delicate egg (my life) and therefore, I have got to take care of it. I look up to Paul Messina and his lovely wife Kathy Carella Messina who have great leg mileage. I will be walking and where I can climb mountains (literary and figuratively). I can only look back in the past but not dwell there. I will look back to pick lessons.

I will look back so that I ensure I have carried along with me my meaningful relationships with me. I will also carry with me good memories. I am tempted to name names but I will not manage. However, allow me to express my gratitude to friends of . I will in the coming days post him here. You know the journey we walked in 2017 to just a few years ago. He is turning 19 this November and taller than me! Isn't God amazing?

So, what did I tell my children when they asked me to say something? That I will continue dance. And I danced for them! That no matter how big they will grow, I will continue to tell them; "I love you" That my "I love you" was not when they were little. It is true and it will continue for the rest of my life even when they get their own children. I love them every day, Boys are my heroes and girls are my sunshine.

26/05/2024

It is a lie for someone to say; "I am self-made" later alone businesses. When Naalya Motel finally becomes a household brand in Uganda, forget the crap that we are self-made. We are an aggregate of everyone's brick as this story by my big brother Philip Matogo is about building legacies of reading in our 'literary desert' that Uganda was once christened in the 60s. I am sweetly humbled by this bwana Phil. You really have the license to Phil. We are making our small contribution in building our Uganda. People, come to Naalya Motel's open spaces and read as you enjoy a cuppa of coffee. We now have our own brand; Kyambura Safaris . And it goes down well with your favourite Katogo. Thank you Daily Monitor, thank you Uncle Ben for nurturing this dream Benmak Savior as we step into the 5th of Naalya Motel! And to our customers and clients who believed in us, thank you. Mwene Bikeira thank you for starting , who are the regular patrons, my OBs of St. and , thank you for choosing us to be your home.
We are the home of
Judith Judithehotone
Judith Judith
Betty Komujuni
Kul Sylvia
Allan Kwame Kalangi
Allan Okello

Several establishments that serve coffee and comfort are flourishing all over Kampala