Location:
304 km from Kampala via Fort Portal Road
264.09 km (164.10 mi) West of Kampala
8 km from Fort Portal on Bundibugyo – Lamia Road.
6.42 km (3.99 mi) North West of Fort Portal.
Coordinates: 0.6694641, 30.2281952
The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves are a historic and cultural site believed to be the birthplace of the founding King of the mysterious Bachwezi who founded the Kitara Empire. Amabere means breasts in Rutooro. The Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru phrase ‘Breasts of Nyinamwiru’ is named after the stalactites in the caves which resemble the breasts of a woman and are constantly dripping water.
The caves are dominated by the nearby Nyakasura falls that roar nourishing the thick and healthy vegetation surrounding the caves.
The main features in the caves are pillar like formations of stalactites and stalagmites with rocks soaked in moss.
According to legend, the caves were named after King Bukuku’s daughter, a princess named Nyinamwiru. Nyinamwiru had a strong personality and refused to marry the man of her father’s choice.
King Bukuku was one of the ancient Kings of the Batembuzi Dynasty that ruled at that time and were believed to be demi-gods by their subjects.
Her daughter’s stubbornness infuriated King Bukuku who ordered that her breasts be cut off so that she would never get married.
According to legend, the stalactites are her breasts oozing milk since that day.