Lake Katwe – Harvesting Salt for over 600 Years
Visit Lake Katwe Salt Works near Queen Elizabeth Park
Background and History of Lake Katwe Salt Works:
A Visit to the Ancient Lake Katwe Salt Works: Lake Katwe Salt Works has a rich history spanning over 600 years as a significant salt mining site. The lake is among the numerous explosion craters in and near Queen Elizabeth Park. These crater lakes, including Lake Katwe, were formed through volcanic eruptions during a period that predated the construction of the Egyptian pyramids.
Salt held immense value similar to precious metals in present-day society, making the Salt Works a highly sought-after commodity. Traders from distant places would visit the site, and local kingdoms would engage in conflicts to gain control over the salt trade.
Western explorers’ earliest recorded mention of Lake Katwe Salt Works can be attributed to John Hanning Speke, an English discoverer. Speke described a place near the Mountain of the Moon (Rwenzori Mountains) where Salt was abundant, referring to Lake Katwe Salt Works.
Henry Morton Stanley was the first Westerner to visit the area. Who arrived with his expedition to rescue Emin Pasha. However, it was in 1890 when Frederick Lugard and the combined British-Toro Expedition arrived at Lake Katwe. They took control of the Salt Works from the Bunyoro Kingdom with minimal resistance, as the salt trade primarily involved Banyoro miners and business people.
In the 1970s, a German entrepreneur constructed a salt processing plant to refine the coarse Salt harvested from Lake Katwe. The plant operated successfully for several years, producing an annual output of 20,000 tons. However, due to the corrosive nature of Salt, the machinery and pipes eventually deteriorated. Today, remnants of the factory can be seen during Lake Katwe Salt Works tours.
The Ugandan Government is seeking an investor to construct a new factory that would enable more efficient extraction of the Salt found in the area. This development aims to enhance the productivity and sustainability of the salt mining operations at Lake Katwe Salt Works.
A Visit to the Ancient Lake Katwe Salt Works
A Journey to the Ancient Lake Katwe Salt Works
Going to Lake Katwe Salt Works is an opportunity to delve into the timeless process of salt extraction, best experienced with a local guide from the community. This ensures a deeper understanding of the labor-intensive methods employed by the workers, who continue to toil in a manner reminiscent of centuries past for meager compensation.
Your excursion to Lake Katwe Salt Works commences along a path that has borne the weight of Salt for countless generations. This path, which winds its way from the lake to the processing area, is a testament to the enduring traditions of salt transportation.
As you traverse the region, you will encounter a network of paths interwoven with grass huts, providing respite from the scorching equatorial sun. Lake Katwe, situated precisely on the equator, bathes the surroundings in its relentless heat. During your visit, you will gain a profound appreciation for the arduousness of life for the hundreds of workers. Standing in the saline water of individual salt pans, often not their own, takes a toll on the health of the women who engage in this laborious task, manifesting in various physical ailments.
Salt extraction at Lake Katwe encompasses two methods: rock salt mining and Salt winning. Men undertake the challenging work of mining rock salt from the heart of the lake, while both men and women engage in Salt winning in the salt pans. Along your journey, you will encounter mounds of coarse Salt, testaments to the industry’s history. Regrettably, the demand for Lake Katwe Salt has diminished over time, as supermarkets predominantly import Salt from other countries. However, the Ugandan government aspires to transform this reality by establishing a processing plant to revive the local salt industry.
Additionally, the lake serves as a source of black mud known as Trona, which finds purpose as fertilizer and in producing glass. Nevertheless, salt mining has adverse effects on human health and the environment, which warrants consideration.
Following your exploration of the Salt Works, your guide will lead you through the nearby town, allowing you to witness firsthand the lifestyles of those involved in the salt trade. This provides a glimpse into the daily lives and experiences of the individuals intertwined with this ancient craft.
Visit the Lake Katwe Salt Works while in Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda.
