By Gilbert Akampa
If you have ever been to Rukungiri district and have not come to know about the fortunate Minera hotspring then you have not visited Rukungiri.
Despite the many tourist centres in the area including magnificent buildings, roads, beautiful land scenery and the evergreen vegetation, Minera hotspring is beating tourist centre at the heart of the district with a quiet confidence like no other. Its a hotbed of culture that’s rich and diverse.
Located at the in Buyanja, the hotspring nears River Minera that works as boundary of Kebisoni- Nyarushanje subcounties Rubabo county in Rukungiri district.
It sits on approximately 100*100ft and has 2 sides; the VIP side which is in Kebisoni and the general side in Buyanja.
Tourists who visit the VIP side pay UShs3000 to gain access whereas their general side counterparts pay less than the VIP amount.
The water from the springs is believed to have rich mineral content that has healing properties to eliminate muscular and joint pains. This is so because the water contain varying amounts of minerals and chemicals which are known to have medicinal values in them. The minerals and chemicals include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium sulphate, calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate and magnesium chloride among others.
This has pooled people from various corners of the country experiencing muscle aches and skin complications to find their way to the springs seeking for healings.
It is believed that over 200 local tourists from the neighbouring districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Ntungamo, mitooma and Kisoro visit this hotspring on a daily basis.
According to geographical studies, hot springs are formed when heated by geothermal heat—heat from the Earth’s interior. In volcanic areas, water may come into contact with very hot rock heated by magma. If water percolates deeply enough into the crust, it comes into contact with hot rocks and can circulate to the surface to form hot springs.
Minera hotspring water has a boiling point of 100°C (degrees Celsius) commonly known as Katsyotsyo waves which people who visit this place use to boil porridge, eggs and make black tea/ coffee.
Maria Goretti Kibamutura, a tourist who we found at the place said many people almost halfnaked bathe in the hotspring and neighbouring locals who do not want to bathe in public come with jerricans and fetch water to bathe at home.
She noted that many people come to the hotspring during morning hours and at night because of the high temperatures of the waters.
Historical Background of Minera Hotsprings.
The background of Minera Hotsprings remains unclear and is still debatable but to Saverino Komunda, one of the elderly locals in Minera the hotspring has been in existence for decades although very many people are just learning of it.
He says that the delayed development of the area and limited knowledge on tourism further made it impossible for the people to recognize its existence.
He is optimistic that the place is going to attract more tourists since there is a good tarmack road which makes it easy to access the hotsprings.
Economically, there is a number small businesses like shops, local bars and local food restaurants that have given a grim of hopes to the residents who hope to harvest much economic fruits from the hotspring.
Parrots UG learned that a tycoon whose identity was not disclosed has already levelled one of the nearby hills to set up a magnificent hotel to help in accommodating tourists.
