It all began after a successful trip to Kabale with Take A Break. The buzz of anticipation filled the air as we eagerly awaited our next adventure. The organizers had decided on Sipi Falls following the positive feedback from our Kabale excursion.
Two months before our Sipi Falls expedition, I found myself in Kapchora with the Tourism Promoters Club. There, I shared my smartphone storytelling skills with the remarkable tour guides of the region, including Job Soyekwo from Mulima Adventures.
My first visit to Sipi had been marked by fear, which had prevented me from attempting abseiling. I contented myself with enjoying the cold waters of the falls, making new friends, and soaking in the vibrant Sipi nightlife. I spent quality time at the Sipi View Point. My initial plan had been to abseil down with a banner reading “Happy Birthday Awesome. Papa loves you” for our son’s upcoming birthday.
But as I gazed at the abseiling point from our accommodation, anxiety surged through me, and I abandoned the idea. Instead, for our son’s birthday, I documented my journey from home to the church where he was baptized and shared it online, sending a copy to him through his mother’s phone.
Upon returning to Kampala, I couldn’t shake the regret of not creating an epic, adrenaline-packed video to express my love for our son. The chance for redemption arrived when Take A Break confirmed their trip to Sipi. Should I give it another try? The question weighed heavily on my mind, considering the investment of time and money. My friend Gift had also decided not to join the trip, and some colleagues had lost interest. My work schedule didn’t make things easier.
Now, what exactly is abseiling? Abseiling, or rappelling in some regions, is a recreational activity involving descending a rope, often from a vertical or steep surface like a cliff, rock face, building, or bridge, in a controlled and safe manner using specialized equipment and techniques.
At 2 a.m. on the day of departure from Kampala, I confirmed my reservation for the Take A Break trip to Sipi. Arriving at Lugogo, I found a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Bus waiting with fellow adventure seekers. These trips were where you met people who might become lifelong friends.
I reconnected with some of them as we embarked on our journey to Mbale City, our first stop. It was my first time on the UWA bus, and the night was filled with board games like cards, Otyo, and Heads Up. My table’s competitive spirit and camaraderie kept us awake until 5 a.m., and we set off for Sipi at 9 a.m.
If you’ve never been to Eastern Uganda, I urge you to reconsider your travel plans. In Mbale City, you’re welcomed by the stunning Mt. Elgon ranges and local delicacies like Malewa, a dish made from bamboo shoots. The story of Malewa deserves its own tale, but the scenic landscapes are always picture-perfect and incredibly soothing.
Eastern Uganda boasts many Ugandan athletes, including Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, steeplechase runner Peruth Chemutai, and the 2023 World Athletics Championships men’s marathon gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kapchorwa District is also home to Sipi Falls and the Teryet National Training Centre, ideal for endurance athletes.
After changing into comfortable shorts with my Rotary 2023 cancer run kit, I embarked on walks, hikes, and, eventually, abseiling as a gesture of solidarity with the Rotary 2023 Cancer Run in Kampala on the same day. Representing the Rotary Club of Upper Kololo, I was joined by Sue and Derrick from the Rotaract Kampala South. Together, we documented our experience while supporting a cause we believed in.
After several hikes and refreshing dips in the falls, we approached the main event—the most adrenaline-pumping moment of the trip. My heart raced, and my palms were sweaty as I stood at the edge. I was eager to document this for my son and wife, but doubt gnawed at me.
I spoke to Job, our guide, about my ambitious goal of documenting the experience, and he suggested I go last, as everyone else was in a rush to descend. Safety was assured, and at that moment, I asked Sue to abseil with me for moral support and to capture photos and videos. I knew I might back out if I were going alone.
We watched the first group descend, screams and all. “Weren’t you scared?” you might ask. Terrified would be an understatement, but I had to hide it. Finally, it was our turn. The weather turned windy, a chilly drizzle adding to the suspense.
As Sue entered the first triangle at the abseiling point, a shiver ran down my spine. I wanted to give up, but it was too late—I had convinced her to do this with me, and I had enlisted two cameramen. My knees trembled, and I shivered from the cold drizzle. “I have to do this,” I told myself.
Now, I hung by the ropes over the cliff, right next to Sue, with Job and his team slowly lowering us. My head felt heavy, and I questioned my choices. About ten seconds of unimaginable fear lay ahead, but I needed to be brave for Sue. My abs burned, and my legs screamed.
As we descended, my legs turned to jelly, unable to support me from fear. But I fought to maintain composure, projecting confidence during my weakest moment. I summoned the courage to jump, releasing the rope while screaming to boost my spirits. And it worked—I was on my way down with Sue.
During the descent, I imagined what the camera captured and how I’d edit the video. I briefly considered a Spiderman-like pose but abandoned it, my knee brushing Sue’s rope. As I spun slowly, I opened my eyes to a breathtaking panorama, later obscured by the rock. Pride swelled in me. We had conquered our fears and were suspended mid-air in a stunning landscape. Eventually, we reached the ground and set off on the final hike, taking photos.
Would I recommend such an experience? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Without a doubt. At the end of the trip, I felt proud of myself and everyone that abseiled and had wonderful videos and photos to share. I had overcome my fear and couldn’t wait for the next Take A Break trip to explore Uganda.
You can watch videos from this adventure on my TikTok account: @tukundaneyonna ie Day 1 video and Day 2 video.
See you on the next adventure, and take the time to explore Uganda and share your experiences in this pearl of Africa.
Tukundane Yonna 
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