Perched atop Kashai National Housing area, with panoramic views of Bukoba town and the vast Lake Victoria, Mary Kalikawe (founder of KHO and Kiroyera Tours) discovered a perfect canvas for cultural celebration. Inspired by the beauty and heritage of the land, she envisioned a vibrant hub for community and history on this scenic hill.

In December 2021, Mary’s vision took its first step as she hosted a public conference on the hill to discuss the rich culture and history of Bukoba, which was celebrating its 130th anniversary. This gathering marked the beginning of a united community interest in the heritage of Bukoba. The hill, now officially recognized as the Bukoba Heritage Site, started its journey as a focal point for tourism and cultural engagement.

By December 2022, the site had evolved significantly. Mary organized a two-day cultural festival that not only celebrated the local culture but also commemorated historical milestones. The festival featured the inauguration of a monument—a yellow rock on the hill—to honour Emin Pasha, who established a German presence in the area in 1890. This event drew attendees from across the region, including Mwanza and Kahama, and highlighted the historical significance of Bukoba.

Capitalising on the momentum, Mary established a lively WhatsApp group as a platform for ongoing dialogue about Kagera’s culture, heritage, and history. This group has become a thriving community of enthusiasts, continuously growing and enriching discussions about the region’s rich legacy.

Through these initiatives, the Kagera Heritage Organisation continues to weave a tapestry of cultural pride and communal identity, making the heritage of Bukoba a living, breathing part of its future.

In 2004, Kiroyera Tours, led by Mary, established the Kagera Museum in a privately owned residence in the Nyamkazi area of Bukoba. After 18 fruitful years, the owner reclaimed the house, prompting the museum to close and its exhibits to be temporarily stored. The search for a new home led Mary and other visionaries to select Heritage Hill as the ideal site for a new museum, designed to celebrate and preserve the region’s rich heritage.

The construction of the new museum is currently under discussion. Meanwhile, Mary has dedicated space at Temba Bukoba Heritage Site to display some of the existing museum collection to ensure that local schoolchildren and visitors to Kagera do not miss out. With the support of others, she plans to extend the collection during 2024-5 until she realises her dream of a purpose-built, vibrant museum and learning centre to mark a new chapter in preserving and celebrating Kagera’s unique heritage for future generations.