Leaders in Mubende District have set tough conditions ahead of reopening Nakayima Tree, which has been closed for almost three months.
The incident that led to the closure of the tree occurred on December 4, 2024, when three people lost their lives due to a falling branch.
During a stakeholder engagement meeting held at the site and chaired by the Mubende District security team together with local leaders, Mubende Municipality Mayor Innocent Ssekiziivu gave a message of hope regarding the reopening of the site to allow people to conduct their traditional rituals.
“We have heard your concerns about reopening this place, but we could not do so without taking precautions because we do not want to see any more loss of life here,” said Ssekiziivu.
He also advised the concerned parties to ensure they do not tamper with the tree and recommended constructing a perimeter fence.
“For us to reopen this place, we must ensure that no one gets too close to the tree. What you should do is fence it off to prevent people from getting too near,” Ssekiziivu added.
Ssekiziivu further warned against ownership wrangles over Nakayima, emphasizing that no one would be allowed to disrupt its management.
“We have heard that a group of people wants to promote conflicts at this place, and I am warning you that the government is in control of this site. No one should ever think of reclaiming ownership of Nakayima,” he stated.
Andrew Solomon Musiindi, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner in charge of Kassambya County, also emphasized the importance of protecting the tree.
“We all want you to worship, but we cannot just let you enter this place freely because it would put your lives at risk,” said Musiindi.
He further urged worshippers at the site to work together to ensure the tree is fenced off. “If you all put in the effort to fence this place, we can easily reopen it because you will be protected from danger,” Musiindi added.
Charles Ssemwogerere, the West Division Mayor, advised locals and worshippers to avoid interfering with the tree and suggested finding a safer location for prayers.
“We all understand that you have gone a long time without worshiping here. If you comply with the measures we have outlined, we will reopen the site, and you will be able to resume your daily worship activities,” Ssemwogerere stated.
Locals at Nakayima welcomed the idea of fencing off the tree to prevent direct access.
“It is a good idea to fence the tree because it could fall again and cause more harm. If we can fence it and find another place for our rituals, that would be a good solution,” said one resident.
Other business owners shared the hardships they have faced since the site’s closure.
“I used to earn about Shs 20,000 a day, but since the tree was closed off, I no longer make as much because my main source of income is boda boda, and no worshippers are coming to the tree,” said a boda boda rider.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT NAKAYIMA TREE
Nakayima tree historic healing tree of mystery and a Heritage Site in Mubende. A beautiful spiritual Princess Nakayima a royal princess who once roamed the hill of Mubende is said to have disappeared in the tree which today is said to have supernatural powers derived from the Chwezi Empire for healing, fertility wealth, and god health.
Perched on a hill in mubende district is the Nakayima tree which is believed to dish out blessing and solve problems. Mubende is an approximately 3hours drive from Kampala that is to say about 100km and another 15 minutes o ascend to the hill. Like many hills you will have an aerial view of the town.
The ancient tree which is estimated at 650 years takes after the name of Princess Nakayima a royal princess and spirit who roamed these hills and later disappeared into the tree and has over the years become a big tourist destination for Uganda safaris. The tree is considered as an important part of the African spirituality. Due to its spiritual powers, the tree draws People from all over the to seek solutions to their problems and ask for blessings among other things. The buttress-rooted tree which is not very far from being a cave has 18 openings called rooms in which the caretakers and the people who come to pray sit. The believers sit on mats or grass and are allowed to smoke pipes openly as they seek the gods.
A lot has been written and said about this magical tree yet a lot remains mysterious to many. The tree stands at the crucial point of the once powerful Chwezi Empire, at the very place where it is said that King Ndahura of the Chwezi Empire passed out most of his traditional rituals. The tree erects at the centre amongst the smaller trees dwarfing them, with its roots stretching several feet. The tree is also said to never shed its leaves not even in the driest season.
This tree that is full of mystery is said to have water sipping out of its stem and is said to cure some diseases. On these hills, every plant that grows here with the Nakayima tree is said to be medicinal Nestled on one of Mubende’s highest hills Nakayima Hill,.
The tree comprises 18 compartments and prayers are held in these grass-carpeted compartments. Of the 18 available rooms, four are for Ndahura the famous king of the Chwezi Empire, some for Nalongo Jajja Mukasa, and two for Jajja Musoke and Kilunda. The old tree which is commonly referred to as the witch tree by historians is not the only site to see. A couple of other trees are scattered around and thribble that is constantly lighting.
In one of the buttress compartments sits a caretaker with the Bigali and a basket for offertory to Nakayima. As one puts the offertory an elderly woman or the caretaker says a prayer for the offerer. The legend behind this tree is that this was Jajja Nakayima place and her grave is not far from here. All the residents of this place are believed to be his children and grandchildren, they therefore come here to ask her for what they want, however, she does not give medicine.
Worshippers crowd the Nakayima Hill to pray and seek solutions to their problems. People from all corners of the world search for answers to life problems like kneeling to pray to the mystical tree which possesses incredible spiritual powers. Business people, politician,s and ordinary people alike.
