By Andrew Nakhaboya
BUDUDA
Residents of Bundesi Sub-county in Bududa District have turned the Nametsi landslide site into a bullfighting ground, attracting spectators who gather to enjoy one of the area’s most popular traditional sports.
Bullfighting is a popular cultural sport in Bududa, attracting enthusiasts from neighbouring districts and providing entertainment while promoting the area’s cultural heritage.
However, the site carries painful memories of one of the deadliest disasters in the region’s history.
On March 1, 2010, a devastating landslide struck Nametsi, killing more than 80 people and displacing hundreds of residents.
Those displaced by the disaster were relocated to Kiryandongo District, although some residents later returned to the affected area and resettled there.
Residents say they have embraced bullfighting for both entertainment and economic benefits.
According to them, the sport provides enjoyment while allowing them to exercise their bulls and strengthen them in preparation for sale.
They believe well-built bulls can fetch better prices on the market, making bullfighting not only a cultural activity but also a potential source of income.
Meanwhile, Bududa District tourism officer Bosco Wanyenya has called on the government to consider gazetting the Nametsi landslide site as a tourism destination.
Wanyenya said the site could attract visitors interested in learning about the 2010 disaster and its impact on affected communities, potentially generating revenue and creating economic opportunities for local residents.
He also urged the government to improve infrastructure to make the site more accessible to visitors.
Improved access, he said, could attract more tourists and support the development of tourism in Bududa District.
Bududa district chairperson Geoffrey Natubu said the government should have constructed a monument in memory of those who died in the disaster.
He said residents had repeatedly called for a monument to honour the victims, but their appeals had not been addressed.
Natubu said if residents had chosen bullfighting as a way of remembering their loved ones, their decision should be respected.
He pledged to support efforts to level the site to provide a suitable ground for the bulls to wrestle.
The development raises questions about how the Nametsi site can be used for community activities while preserving the memory of the 2010 tragedy.
It also presents an opportunity for the government and local leaders to explore ways of commemorating the victims, promoting tourism and improving livelihoods in the surrounding communities.
