The one-hour journey was monotonous without anything to write about save for some primates pulling faces, egrets in flight and the endangered long horned Ankole cow.

The road is dusty but smooth without any refreshment facility in place.
On arrival we embarked on a trail which made us hop like kangaroos in flight where it was muddy, dodge thorny thickets and swat insects digging their antenna in our flesh.

A cop was behind us with his AK47 held on set. Then our self-styled guide, Steven Singel, opens a narrative embellished with what sounded like science fiction to me.

“We are supposed to draw water and cleanse ourselves before trekking the long journey into the Bigo Bya Mugenyi forts,” cautioned Singel. “Do not take chances. Just wash your face, palms and feet to be on the safe side with the gods in case they get angry.”