Kitagata Hot Springs to be developed by Hungary

Hungary is going to help facelift Kitagata hot springs in Kitagata Town Council, Sheema District, due to a deal being negotiated by ministries of Energy and Tourism and Materialise a Hungarian firm. The two ministries and representatives of the undisclosed firm met in Kampala to discuss its potentials and viability.

The Kitagata hot springs are located on Ishaka–Kagamba road in Kitagata Town Council in Sheema District which is found in western Uganda. There are two hot springs adjacent to each other of which one of the springs was claimed to be used by the former Omugabe (king) and the other (Mulago) is believed to have healing powers according to the locals.

In May the Hungarian government said it will develop the hot spring into a modern geo-tourism centre and €16m (about Shs67b) has already been earmarked for the development. The Hungary’s chargé d’affaires to Uganda Dr Janos Terenyi while meeting stakeholders in Kampala, said Hungary will support the tourism sector and various projects in the country an agreement had been reached and that preliminary analysis of the site was carried out by the developers.
The site will boast of standard facilities with modern accommodation and leisure facilities like those seen inside the national parks once completed. The site will also offer specialized services such as bio-electric magnet therapy, lymphatic drainage massage combined with well-established bathing sections, excellent and modern facilities for complete relaxation, refreshment or recovery.

The process of acquiring a land title for the area before it can be leased to the developer is ongoing and once processed and the project completed the development will enhance a big economic boost to the community which is projected to realize at most Shs 700,000/= and the income that the developer will share with the community will help improve on service delivery.

The Kitagata hot springs and the surroundings areas are safe, meaning there is no contamination and there is no activity currently taking place in the area except the World Bank Water Abstraction Project.

The Hot Springs Potential

The hot springs in the country can potentially boost tourism, employment and the economy once developed and the benefits of geothermal tourism are just too many, from health and wellness like in Kitagata, recreation, hydrotherapy, tourism, and cultural preservation.