I guess it is true that nature listens when we speak. Hear me out, read on. From 2019, my goal was to travel ko at least to a new district/ city I’ve never been to, in the spirit of exploring and appreciating the gift that is the Pearl of Africa ‘Uganda’, and the beauty each holds. I have since been to Mbarara, Ntungamo, Jinja (multiple times), Masaka, Gulu, Kapchorwa and most recently Fort Portal.
Related: Travel Maniacs to Resume 3 Days of Adventure Trips with Unwrap of 2021 Travel Calendar
Your boy also had plans of traveling ko to Kigali (Rwanda) for the Global Citizen Move Afrika Circuit as headlined by John Legend but life happened, and I had so much pending work to finish up, hence missing the show. Driven by this guilt and longing for an out-of-Kampala travel experience, I kept reminiscing about much I miss being on the road for an adventure. I from time to time, check out destinations on my socials, and bookmark them in manifestation that I’d make it there some day.
The high temperatures in the past 2 weeks have been too hot, for anyone to ignore. The scorch in itself got me pondering what it would be like to get away, even if for 2 days, just outside Kampala. You know how fast the city is, so sometimes it is good to relax, switch off your brain a bit, and be away from the chaos a bit.
Kati nga on Tuesday don’t I receive a heart-warming message from the agency informing me of how one of my clients was having a weekend treat for one of their winners in an ongoing campaign, and whether I was available to tag along. Y’all should have seen the look on my face as it beamed with joy. To this I instantly responded with a YES!
Thankful to mother nature, the days went by so fast and the day for setting off arrived. Friday is when we were set off. You could wonder what the campaign in question is, and who the “we” I am referring to. Well, in November last year, MTN Uganda launched ‘MTN Proggie’, a quiz-based platform.
MTN Proggie allows customers to subscribe and participate in daily quizzes that test their knowledge on Uganda’s rich history and destinations. The subscription-based platform offers three options for tiers, that is —Daily (UGX 500), Weekly (UGX 2,000), and Monthly (UGX 5,000). Once live, players earn points for every correct answer they get. The highest scorers on the leaderboard stand a chance to win exciting rewards, including Ugx 50,000 worth of MTN Mobile Money, gift hampers, branded merchandise, concert tickets, and grand travel experiences to Uganda’s most prized destinations.
Your chance to win big is here with #MTNProggie
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) February 4, 2025
Every week, 10 players walk away with UGX 50K, and the top scorer lands an all-expenses-paid luxury trip.
Subscribe, play & win now! Click 👉 https://t.co/BT8RHPsF59 to get started. pic.twitter.com/pp0bxiwrrL
The trivia has since seen enthusiastic participation and response from customers eager to test their knowledge and win prizes. In December, the platform’s inaugural winner, Marvin Johns together with his younger brother were awarded an unforgettable trip to Murchison Falls, one of Uganda’s most iconic national parks.
First stop at Kabalega Dinner for lunch earlier today, the #MTNProggie winner (@marvinjohnz) is enjoying all expenses paid trip to Murchison Falls National Park this whole weekend. #TogetherWeAreUnstoppable https://t.co/svmmiQ2DRb pic.twitter.com/cYrIppVPKA
— Karim 🇺🇬🏄🏿♂️ 🦍 (@babyfaceug) December 20, 2024
Last Friday, I was thrilled to be part of history as MTN Uganda flagged off its second winner in the ongoing campaign. Alex Tusingwire is his name and he emerged winner, having topped the leaderboard of MTN Proggie for the month. Since the trip comes with 2 slots, he brought along with him his lovely wife Promise to enjoy the fruits of his genius responses and lead atop the MTN Proggie leaderboard.
The pair was flagged off at the MTN Uganda Headquarters to the breathtaking Sipi Falls. The mini ceremony was witnessed by the media, and some of the staff members of the telco. Speaking at the ceremony, Mavis Musungu Ndawula Ndagire, the Go-to-Market Digital Specialist at MTN encouraged those who haven’t checked out MTN Proggie to subscribe, answer the questions, accumulate points, to win weekly and monthly rewards. She further revealed that, the ultimate getaway trip destination for March will be a trip to Mombasa, as put together in conjunction with Travelers’ Club Uganda. 8 select winners in the same month will also get to experience a daycation in Jinja.
Want to be the next #MTNProggie winner?
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) February 28, 2025
GTM Digital Specialist @MavisMusungu breaks it down for you how to subscribe, participate, and stand a chance to win.
Don’t miss out on the adventure, subscribe now at https://t.co/BT8RHPtcUH and start playing. pic.twitter.com/pvsFhi8tba
Off we set off for the mighty Sipi Falls at 11am. One thing I have witnessed over the years is that the company with whom you travel always defines the vibe of a trip/ journey. It usually is double the fun if they are as flexible personality-wise, that way you can freely engage. I was in luck, the folks with whom we traveled including my workmates, photographer, driver plus the winners and tour operator were personality fluid, so the journey was smooth.
What is a journey through/ to the East without a stopover at the Legendary “Namawojjolo”? The spot that needs no introduction to any Ugandan, more so frequent travelers know, the trip always counts, if they stop over for its mouthwatering delicious road side delicacies like chicken, as well as devour some “Gonja”. We were what I like to call “Planned Travelers” for the tour operator Musa Kiyengo had made a call prior and placed our order, so when the drone parked, our “kikoko” and plantain was delivered and we proceeded with our journey. It isn’t a journey through Jinja if you don’t also pause, by the Jinja Nile Bridge for some pictures. Having got consent from the authorities, we each captured pictures at this famous bridge, and afterwards went about our business.
As part of experiencing Uganda, we have made various stop overs at spots like Namawojjolo (for their signature roasted chicken, gonja etc delicacies). We’ve also stopped by the Jinja Nile Bridge, so the winners can have an all round feel of the trip, thanks to #MTNProggie. pic.twitter.com/zYbB6iy9kX
— Just Mugisha 🐘 (@Mugibson) February 28, 2025
Remember when I mentioned being “planned travelers”? Upon arrival in Jinja main town, a buffet had been set, awaiting us. The diverse menu was everything. After our late lunch, we strolled through the market, where I bought myself a tourist’s hat. It was of Kachi color, and my other 2 female colleagues each bought a pair of shoes they would use for the hike.
At about a quarter to 8 o’clock, we arrived at the venue (Sipi Valley Resort) where we’d call home for the next 2 days. We were welcomed with a glass of passion fruit juice each our bags were taken in to settle them in. The calm Lydia and Delicious (yes you read that right, Delicious; thought I shortened it to Deli) told us to feel at home and reassured us that our meals would be ready in no time. As we savored our supper, we indulged in conversation, and banter, and as the night went on, each left at will, to go get some rest, after a long day’s journey.
We got up, the next day to the beautiful sunrise, breath taking views, and an excellent breakfast. Thereafter which, we embarked on our mega reason for travelling; which was experiencing the famous Sipi Falls.
Mulima Mountain Adventures’ Founder Job Soyekwo gave us a brief before we could start our adrenaline rush voyage across the famous Kapchorwa tourist attraction. We were then handed sticks (like those cattle keepers walk with when tending to their livestock) to give us support as we hiked.
Unlike my previous very first visit to the place in November 2020, the experience was quite different. This time, it was in a dry season, hence making most areas navigable, plus in terms of numbers, we were over 30 people on my last visit, this time we were only 7. Last time, I camped, this time (self-funded), I slept in the rooms at the resort (thanks to my “mugaga”/ sponsor MTN Uganda) 😂🙏 . Bambi they were demure. One thing that hadn’t is Job’s professionalism, when dealing with clients. He will avail you with information, answer questions, and crack a joke or two, to keep the atmosphere as friendly as can be. As you kick off your course, you pass by a crafts village, where you check out some gems from Sipi being sold. From glittering rock pieces, to clothes, fruits etc.
The hike took about 3 hours. The most heartwarming thing to see was how our winners were cozy all through the trip, holding hands, lovey-dovey, calling each other sweet names, it was so lovely, mehnn. Their chemistry was undeniably inspiring. I recall one of my colleagues even remarked that; “You Kampala men can never, all you know is inviting your girlfriend out for Tequila shots, no romance at all”. Anyway, we wrapped up our Sipi Falls course with a visit to the cave, where we posed for a few pictures, and then headed out to the other side of the falls, where the couple was to abseil.
From the top to the thrill.
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) March 1, 2025
Alex and his wife took on abseiling at Sipi Falls, would you dare to take the leap? #MTNProggie
Subscribe, answer & win at https://t.co/BT8RHPtcUH pic.twitter.com/SltDAda0NX
As they did their course, my colleague went and I took this self-care to a whole other level, by placing our feet for a soak in the free-flowing water body. It was really damn ice cold, but hey, a little extra adventure never hurt no body. We also immersed ourselves from time to time, to create our own mini Devil’s Hole State Park (situated on Niagara Falls).
Having returned to the resort for our meals and to freshen up, we then set off for the Sunset view. Unfortunately, we didn’t catch it on time, as it had drizzled a bit while we were at the resort, so we were late. While at the top of one of the most magnificent hills in Kapchorwa that is famously referred to as the Chief’s View, we were told about the history of the hill, and about the ancestry of the region and its surroundings. In the meantime, we sipped on some Arabica coffee. We concluded our day with meals, and conversations by the bon fire.
And that’s a wrap on an epic #MTNProggie to Sipi Falls.
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) March 2, 2025
Huge thanks to @travelersclubug, @MountainMulima and @SipiValley for making it unforgettable. Our winner had the time of his life.
Subscribe now at https://t.co/BT8RHPtcUH and be part of the next adventure! pic.twitter.com/rEXIJD8gA9
We woke up to a heavy breakfast, freshened signed out and set off for Kampala. This is your sign to subscribe for MTN Proggie, keep playing, accumulate points. An all-expenses paid trip to Jinja and Mombasa await you at the close of this month, courtesy of MTN Uganda and Travelers’ Club Uganda.
