The Sacred Nakayima tree  

Uganda is a country rich in culture, tradition and history. Beyond the national parks and wildlife safari, there are sacred places that tell powerful stories about the past. One of the most respected cultural and spiritual sites in central Uganda is the Nakayima tree. Nakayima tree also known as Nakayima witch tree, Bachwezi witch tree, Mubende’s witch tree or Ebuga ya Nakayima. The sacred place is located on Boma hill, Mubende municipality, 4 km from Mubende town along the Kampala- Fort Portal highway.

Mubende was once a centre of power for the Bachwezi, the semi-divine dynasty who ruled much of the Great lakes region before the rise of Buganda kingdom.  Nakayima is not a tree species but it was the name of a princess who was a wife to King Ndahura, a prominent king and the last ruler  of the Bachwezi. It is said that when the Bachwezi disappeared, Nakayima’s spirit remained and settled in this tree.

Nakayima tree is very tall with buttress roots fanning outward like natural walls, delineating distinct rooms. The tree has over 18 distinct chambers where pilgrims quietly place offerings in these rooms like milk in calabashes at the base of roots seeking blessings or guidance. 

Spiritual and cultural significance

Nakayima Tree is considered a powerful spiritual center. Many people visit the shrine seeking healing from illness, fertility blessings, success in business and life, protection from misfortune, wealth and good harvest. The large roots of the tree form natural spaces that are believed to house different spirits. Each spirit is associated with specific powers, for instance, 

• The first room serves as the reception, lodge and restaurant
• The second room is for King Ndahura
• The third room is for Nabuzana ( the goddess of marriage and fertility)
• The fourth room is meant for prayers for the pilgrims seeking to give birth to twins. 
• The fifth room is for Musoke (the god of rain)
• The sixth room is for Kiwanuka (the god of war and the army commander)
• The seventh room is for Kalisa ( the god of cattle keeping). It is believed that Kalisa used to  treat Nakayima’s cattle.
• The eighth room is for Ddungu (the god of hunting)
• The ninth room is for Mukasa (the god of water and fishing)

For centuries, Nakayima Tree has attracted pilgrims and tourists  from different parts of Uganda. Also those from outside Uganda are allowed to enter the site at any time as there are no restrictions on the time they spend inside the shrine. The pilgrims and visitors pay 5000 and other additional amounts which are used to manage and maintain the site around Nakayima tree.  People from various cultural backgrounds visit the shrine, especially during times of difficulty or important life decisions to pray, sing and also give and burn their offerings and sacrifices to their gods who can manifest in any form which includes a dog or cat. Some visitors share testimonies of answered prayers, healing, and positive life changes after visiting the tree. Because of this, the site remains active and meaningful even in modern times.

The offerings can be in the form of money, animals, cereals, grains, coffee beans, animal products such as milk, ghee among others. These offerings are placed under the tree or some offerings such as sorghum, millet, and sim sim are scattered around Nakayima tree. Offerings such as money are placed in baskets known as Ebigali. It is said that the Nakayima tree does not grant prayers for those who want to befall their enemies or do evil acts. 

Some believers claim that Nakayima appears to them with instructions in their dreams on what to do in order for their prayer requests to be answered within a period of three days to a month. And when one’s prayer request is answered by the gods he or she prayed through, they are expected to return with a sacrifice or offering to thank the god he or she prayed through and also share some of the sacrifice with the people on the Nakayima site. 

Only food that has been instructed to be brought by the gods is supposed to be brought by the pilgrim and be prepared only in Nabuzana’s kitchen and shared with other pilgrims.