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Sezibwa Falls is conveniently located 45 minutes drive from Kampala, making it an ideal stop-over for tours to Jinja and Eastern Uganda. Allow up to an hour to experience this spectacular cultural heritage site. Traditionalists tell of an interesting legend about the origins of the Sezibwa River & formation of the Sezibwa Falls. The woman called Nakkungu Tebatuusa gave birth to a set of twins, but in the form of two rivers, that is, Wasswa & Kato, which are Sezibwa and Bwanda respectively. After birth, River Bwanda flowed a trouble-free course to the east while River Sezibwa flowed westwards. However Sezibwa was able to get across all obstacles on his way that included such enormous rocks. It is this ability that impressed many and leading to a local verbatim “Sizibwa Kibuubo” which translates “nothing blocks my path”. The name Sezibwa originates from this verbatim and directly translates “nothing blocks me”.

It is claimed Sezibwa’s strength to overcome obstacles is attributed a strong backing of the spirits, hence to say Sezibwa was very strong spiritually. It is actually told that a spirit called “Nalongo Kubbo” was responsible for the river’s success over the rocks at the Sezibwa Falls. After guiding Sezibwa over the rocks and the subsequent formation of Sezibwa Falls, the spirit “Nnalongo Kubbo” is then said to have established its home in a cave in the rocks adjacent the falls. Nnalongo Kubbo takes the form of a large snake and traditionalists at the site claim it does come out once in a while to sunbath on the rocks.

Several other spirits are believed to be at this site and traditional believers come to pray to them and offer sacrifices. Though often associated with the old days of the African Traditional Society, a number of people to-date still practice this ancient culture of spirit worship, known among the Baganda people as “Okusamila”. Traditionalists ask for different favours from the different spirits that are known to deliver them such as riches, marriage strengthening, healing of different ailments and diseases, fighting enemies, blessings and removal of curses, provide rain, a good harvest. There are traditional healers that set up shrines and these act as the oracles of the spirits.