Kalangala Island, My Trip To The Love Island – Leah Nabukeera

Leah Nabukeera, our guest columnist went to Kalangala Island a few weeks ago. However, she found stories only witnesses could believe! Just for the record, this is not an advert but her personal experience. The words written in this article are directly transcribed from a recording of Leah Nabukeera herself by John Kenny Adeya. Enjoy as you read and listen along!

Leah Nabukeera’s Trip to Kalangala Island

I Thought I Had Seen It All And Kalangala Was Boring To Think About

I’ll be very honest—this is one of the islands I’ve never thought of visiting. Much as people post about it, go there, come back, and tell you a story, my attention was elsewhere. Well, my friend in 2014 had a friends’ trip, and I remember them telling me, “Leah, we are going to Kalangala,” and I was like, “I don’t want to be part of it.” I didn’t even think twice. I just said, “I don’t want to be part of it.” And luckily for me, my friend respected my decision. But after they came back, they asked me why. And I told them boldly, “I don’t feel like that place is my calling!” To be honest, after the stories you’re going to hear, I wish I could take back those words. But it’s impossible. Much as my friends posted the fun moments, I kept feeling like they were trying to convince me. More like to let me know that, you know what, Leah, you missed out? I kept looking at other places, and I thought Kalangala was an abandoned island. No life, probably no access to other life. I thought when you go there, you will be stuck like in a prison.

Surprisingly, it’s a place I want to go back to over and over again. I wish to have more and more days, and more and more time. It’s just that when we went, it was only three days, and I went this year (2024) in January. Well, let me just give you the whole thing, like how it’s supposed to flow well.

How I was Convinced To Visit Kalangala Island

Through my traveling life, I’ve met friends who have become like sisters, cousins, even moms to me. You know? They’ve let me in as Leah Nabukeera (who I am), and it’s been really fun, really wonderful, you know? So one of my friends, Donny (who I now call auntie), I even call her my mom. I jokingly told her, “Boogie, I’m your last born,” so she knows, ‘Leah is my last born’. All her friends, Precious, Josephine, even her husband, they say, “This is our last born. This is our baby.” She texted me after we visited Murchison Falls and told me, “Leah, there’s another farm trip we’re having. We’re going to Kalangala.” That feeling of “Can we go? Should I tell her?” kicked in. But she said, “No, you come, we’re going to be around five people, you will have fun.” So, since it’s my friend organizing, I was like, “Okay, I’ll come.” Of course, I wanted to go relax away from the city, but I didn’t know I was going to have the best experience of my life. I didn’t know that sometimes there are places you go outside Kampala where time seems to move slower.

My Journey with my friends and the plot twist

We left the city around 11 AM, got onto the MV Kalangala cruise, and then we headed to Lake Victoria for about 3 hours. We were all comfortable, chatting, eating, and stepping out to take a few pictures over the water with the cool breeze. There were so many people on board. Some were actually returning to their families from the city, while a few of us were going for relaxation. So, we crossed the lake from Entebbe to Kalangala and finally reached around 6:30 PM. Of course, when you get ashore, the first welcome is the Boda-Boda. You really start feeling the island vibe immediately; people fishing, different people being picked up. But since I was with this strong group of women, strong friends, I felt secure. Actually, I kept worrying. I was like, “I hope my stuff isn’t stolen.” But to whoever reads or hears this story, please focus on the positives. I’m begging you because I’m sharing it raw, how my feelings were at that moment and afterward. So when we disembarked, these people were happy. Of course, the first thing I always sense when I go to new places is that fresh air. You’d feel very nice fresh air and the breeze from day one. I knew I was going to live there healthily, and I was fine. Here we are. So, we were picked up by an Island caretaker, a good person to know named Hannington. We drove off and arrived at an Airbnb at that moment. We didn’t know the name, but we were just excited about being on the island, far from the city, where you can bring out your thoughts. And as usual, you know girls and pictures. The first thing we did was to take in the view of the house or what you’d call the Airbnb where we stayed. We had a very nice view of the lake. It was really beautiful and green. We took pictures of the sunset, felt sunkissed, and everything. It was amazing. And to me, deep inside my head, I was like, “That’s a checkmark. If the scenery, the view, and the city are giving me peace, then that is fine.”

How My Friends Reacted.

So I post my day one at Kalangala, and then my friends ask me, ‘Eh! Finally, you went?’ It’s like my friends never got over the fact that I’d made that statement way back. So we get in, and then we’re shown around the rooms. Our caretaker had to take us to choose different options. It was really, really nice. Oh my God, it was really nice; we felt at home. The first thing I remember is we heard this whole deep god-like voice, ‘So you guys are here?’ type of thing. ‘Enjoy Waguan!’ and I was like okay boss, whatever! They were nice; like the fact that when you’re hosted by someone and they’re trying to give you this vibe of feeling safe. ‘Anything you want, or any queries you have about the place I’m in.’ So we get in the first night. It was beautiful. I actually don’t remember the food I had at first, but I just remember the moment that we were there. We went out to buy our own drinks. And come back home if you want coffee. Took a shower just to refresh myself. That was like the first night. What I remember is we danced to music, everybody was talking to everyone. I met a few friends that actually live with Hannington, that’s our caretaker. I mean we felt at home. I didn’t even miss home. I normally have a policy of calling when I’ve reached home or when I’ve reached somewhere I’m going. But this time, it slipped my mind and I was just like, ‘Eh!’ because I felt comfortable. So, we’re vibing, and we’re tired. I remember we slept at 2 am. But like I said you don’t even feel time is moving. Every time we’d check our phones like you guys we’ve been here since six the next thing to check it’s seven. Next thing, we say it’s just nine. If we were in the city, right now it would be like eleven! But, time on that island is so slow. To me, I feel it’s trying to be slow for you to have the moments to reflect to feel everything that you wanted. To release all the negativity you’ve come with and settle with, you know, that politically decides so the next day on the schedule was to tour the island the different beaches around the different hotels. Keep in mind I was struggling with ladies in the tourism industry. And they have business with tourists coming from us so they really wanted to find places that are pretty. Fast forward, yes, when we moved to the Brovad hotel. There were plenty of beaches but to me Brovad was the best and it was the top on the list.

The Bliss At Victoria Forest Lodge At Kalangala Island

Then we had an outing at Victoria Forest Lodge, where we had coffee by the campfire. One thing I remember is there was a certain group of members that came for a retreat, and they were Airtel people. It was really cool; the DJ played good music. We had actually planned to leave that place early, but because we’re music people and the DJ was just doing the right thing, we were like, you know what, we’re staying!

The Best Mark On Me

There’s a friend we were traveling with, her name is Precious, aka Mukiga Traveler. She’s really into evening scenery and stuff. She was just taking pictures, and we would be able to shout; those who wanted food ordered food. It was so nice. Like, right now, I’m feeling emotional. Every time I remember those three days, they left the best mark on me, and I just want more of those three days. And I promised myself I have to go back! Fast forward, I would love to warn anyone out there, if you’re planning to go to Kalangala island alone, please don’t. This island makes you fall in love with it, and if you leave your lover in the city, you’re going to regret it. Because just the scenery or environment makes you fall in love over and over again. There are so many things I saw, and I’m like, please never make the mistake of forgetting your partner. You will cry alone on the island (laughs shyly in whispers). But I know you’ll be reading this story because I promised to share. I met the best thing on Kalangala island, you know? I feel like Kalangala should be the Love Island! You know we’ve watched these series and episodes of Love Island, cast by the sea, etcetera. We’ve watched so many versions of people on islands finding love or getting connected in love. To me, I feel Kalangala should be Kalangala: The Love Island! I feel that should be the title of my article (laughs romantically, softly).

How It All Became, ‘Kalangala, The Love Island’

John Kenny, I met this gentleman who just made everything easy for me. You know, he really took so much extra care. He paid attention. He didn’t make me feel like I was lost or that I had left things behind. The connection was strong and real. He was funny. To be honest, he ticks all the boxes of the type of man I want, the type of man I need. I never felt lonely at any point. That’s why I told you guys earlier, if you’re coming to this island alone, you better not make that mistake. Because you’re going to cry on your own, but I was so blessed to have someone pay attention. I’m romantic. Yes. So he came into the building, made me a very special breakfast, very different from the meals the ladies I came with had. And that is the first ticked box, paying attention, and I love attention (laughs in bliss). I don’t remember the meals we had before, but I remember the meal he gave me. It was fries. I don’t even know how to say this because I love fries. I’ll be full from my heavy meal and going. But when someone passes by with fries and they’re like, “Please come and join me, I need them. I need the fries from you!” So he made me fries. He did it so well, with the aroma, like he really tried. Wow. And then the liver. The only thing he told me was to make my own cup of coffee. He probably didn’t know how much sugar I would take. So it’s just enough to say, “Baby, you got me.” (Smirks naughtily)

So who’s this Knight In Shining Armor At The Seaside?

And then he was sweet and nice. Well, I didn’t give a description of this gentleman. Well, he’s dark chocolate skin, five feet seven inches tall if I measured correctly. He’s got a beard, a little bit of hair. He’s well-built and has a very nice smile and a deep voice that just breathes into your ear. Like I don’t know what he’s saying, but I can hear the vibration of his voice. So we had the trip around. Of course, he was very cool, but you know—attention. He kept on saying those nice things.

All Good Things Come To An End

And what I know is if you’ve been loved before, love is a very beautiful thing. No matter the age or anywhere when you find it, that’s what I felt. You know, that’s what I got from this gentleman. If you look at my pictures from Kalangala, I have those blue petal flowers. He just got them, as I was waiting in the car, he washed them and said, “They’re here. This is for you.” I said, “Oh my god.” I just kept blushing. And my other two aunties that came along with me said, “I don’t know what’s happening but you two are making us feel like we should have come with our partners along.” It’s my moment, let me enjoy this. So on the third day, I had to leave earlier than the rest. I didn’t want to! Honestly, there was an option for me to get on the next MV cruise. But we didn’t have space. But to me, I wanted to stay behind with him just to buy up more hours. So I had to leave at nine, but if we found space on the other one, we’d leave at two. That means I’ll be with him from 7 am until two in the afternoon.

How I Almost Lost Him

It was the saddest time of my life. I woke up that day so early, so gloomy. I was so angry. I didn’t want to show it, but I think he noticed, because as he was driving us back to the MV that was taking us that morning, I was so quiet, tensed up in my thoughts. Every time we got closer to the shore, I just felt so angry, and I didn’t know how to express it. I remember him getting out my bag, and he’s like, “Leah, this is it!” I’m like, “Are you serious? Is that the last word you’d say?” But he gave me the tightest and nicest hug ever. It felt so warm, but I didn’t want to let go. But the funny part is I never got to get contacts from this gentleman. Imagine you’ve been with this person, but you don’t even get a chance to exchange contacts. But you know, to me, I didn’t even think about exchanging contacts because I was literally swept away by all the affection he gave me.

Kalangala, The Love Island – Again

John, it was the best feeling ever. I can’t describe it all for you to understand, but I still have the fresh memories. I still have the moment running through my head. And that’s why I feel Kalangala should be The Love Island. In Uganda, everyone must have the chance to go there. So we boarded the cruise. I was feeling low. I’ve gone back with my friend Dolly. Then he tells me, “I feel what you’re feeling.” I’m like, “What do you mean?” He’s like, “I know you miss him.” Yeah, I do. Maybe I’ll see him again. I think he’s a romantic. He sent one of the ladies or men behind back saying, “Make sure Leah makes that call.” And that’s when I got a chance to ask for his number just to keep the connection running, you know? And it’s been a beautiful time. I don’t regret going there. And this isn’t advertising the island. No, I’m just letting people know that they should have this moment.

Why You MUST Go To Kalangala Island

Anytime you feel good about Kalangala, don’t, don’t let it slide, don’t! I don’t know, I experienced a lot. I took so many pictures. It was a really wonderful time when I came back home healthy. My mental space was okay. I even had the energy to go to work the next day. Even though you go out with your friends on a Sunday or Saturday in the city, it doesn’t feel like how you’ve gone out for a certain vacation. You have the energy, you’ve met people, you’ve liked their culture. It was really beautiful, and for your information, I am so going back. I can’t even think twice about it. But I’m going back to the island and for him. Bye!