Entanda Cultural Experience (Mityana)

Entanda is a community-based cultural experience in Kijjude village, Mityana District, west of Kampala on the Kampala to Mityana road. It has been run by the Entanda Initiative since 2013 to keep Buganda customs and the local environment alive through tourism.

Why go

In Luganda, entanda is the gift of wisdom and good things that a person passes to someone they love, and that is the spirit of the day. It is a calm, explained introduction to how a Buganda family lives, thinks and celebrates, run by the people of the village. It suits curious travellers, small groups and families.

What you can do

• A walk through the gardens.
• Helping to cook luwombo, then sharing the meal.
• Watching bark cloth being beaten from the bark of a fig tree.
• Honey harvesting, and tasting local brew.
• Traditional music, dance, games and a fruit buffet.
• A traditional hunting demonstration.
• Planting a tree before you leave.

The people side

Elders explain the role of the Ssenga and the Kojja, the paternal aunt and maternal uncle who traditionally guide young people on family life, and the meaning of clan totems and taboos. Bark cloth making is part of a Ugandan craft recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, and here you see it done by hand.

Best time to visit

Entanda receives visitors through the year; one operator reports a regular monthly open day.

Getting there

Allow 1 to 1.5 hours from Kampala, and about 1 hour more from Entebbe.

Good to know

Facilities are those of a working village, so expect simple toilets and seating.