Nicholas Tukwasibwe the 6-year-old world’s youngest tour guide antennas picked the right signal. In a world where dreams often take years to materialize, there are remarkable individuals who defy the norm and turn their aspirations into reality at a remarkably tender age.
Popularly known as Nicholas, the gateway to Queen Elizabeth National Park was fueled by ambition, determination, and unwavering passion, embark on journeys that inspire us all.
The 6-year-old prodigy could always stand at the strategic cliff of view near Park View Safari Lodge Kyambura where the signpost was posted.
In this story, we delve into the extraordinary achievements of a young visionary Tukwasibwe who has defied age-related barriers to reach for the stars and touch the realms of success that most can only dream of.
His story is a testament to the boundless potential that lies within the hearts and minds of many people.
“I am feeling much better and OK…” this is the new slogan from Nicholas and is experienced by those in the tourism circles, especially a couple of tourists frequenting Western Uganda in Rubirizi district to catch Nicholas the gem while performing his services unusual tour guiding services.
It is not that Nicholas was born with a silver spoon, his aggressiveness and vigor paid him, he is well aware of the task ahead of him despite being just 6 years old. He is surviving with a single mother and two other siblings.
It’s through this job that he can feed his siblings and his ailing 46-year-old mother of 3, Peninah Kyomuhendo, who is sleeping in the old dilapidated single room near the Rubirizi-Kasese main road.
Despite his limited knowledge about the inner workings of the country’s largest national game park, he never hesitated to seize any chance near his home to educate tourists. He mimicked and diligently memorized the introductory gestures and information typically delivered by professional tour guides.
From this background, Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation (BSC) picked the young lad to further his dream and also help him acquire is a decent formal education thanks to Yesigye Brian Bravo for identifying Nicholas.
Golden Boy from Rubirizi
In Rubirizi district, nature is boundless with succulent architectural realities, it had to be Nicholas to led a team of tourists to traverse through Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel, and salt panels at Lake Bunyampaka, Kasenyi.
On his first experience thanks to Home to Africa Tour and Travel agency for giving Nicholas his first real experience where he impressed a lot and left many tourists mesmerized.
It is no coincidence the 6-year-old was born here in Rubirizi – born to be a guide in the nestled region that embraces rolling hills. This idyllic place is a true haven for nature enthusiasts. Towering, ancient rocks create a verdant canopy overhead, providing a natural respite from the sun’s rays.
The landscape is a vibrant tapestry of colors, with wildflowers painting the meadows in shades of purple, yellow, and red protected by several crater lakes including the African shape with so many aliases like Lake Butoto, Nkugute which has become a popular destination for tourists, though the local community has had limited benefits from the tourism industry.
Home to Africa, led by Nicholas Tukwasibwe the guidance of one of the most experienced tour guides in Uganda Zedius Dedya guided the boy into the gentle, meandering river winds of Kazinga Channel and its way through this pristine setting with the Siamese connection between Lake George and Lake Albert, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the azure skies above and the silent giants like hippopotamus and crocodiles and a few isolated buffalos taking shower along the riverbanks.
At the water banks, Nickolas using his binoculars was able to find smooth, sun-warmed stones resting under the shades of trees that beckon you to sit and listen to the soothing sounds of nature.
Wildlife abounds in this sanctuary, with birds of every feather filling the air with their melodious songs. Deer and other graceful creatures roam freely, adding to the enchantment of the place.
Trails wind through the landscape, inviting explorers to lose themselves in the beauty of the wilderness in the calm waters of the Kazinga channel. Each twist and turn reveals new wonders, from hidden waterfalls cascading into emerald pools to breathtaking vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.
This place is a true testament to the majesty of the natural world, a sanctuary where physical features harmonize with the beauty of nature to create an oasis of serenity and wonder.
The future Jewel
Nicholas’ expression and knowledge about the tourism subject left the public and social media world guessing which breed of tourist guide he has become and how best can he maintain his God-given talent and skill.
He is an interesting boy, and at the age of 6, one would not believe that he has a passion for what he does.
After the success of Game Drive, Zedius described Nicholas as the biggest asset to the tourism industry and promised to improve him and make him a big asset in the industry.
“He managed to spot most of the animals despite this being his first experience. He needs to regularly visit the park. To me, he is a great guide and in case he improves on the language, he will be among the best tour guides we have in the country,” he described Nicholas.
Mbonye Mark Levis, the Rubirizi District Community Development Officer (DCDO), applauded Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation’s visit to the district as a blessing and timely.
He said that despite having Universal Primary Education (UPE), one of the Government of Uganda’s policy tools for achieving poverty reduction and human development, some of the children have not yet benefited from it due to different factors.
“We end up having a big number of dropouts after P.7, and most boys join boda bodas, and girls turn out as housemaids and barmaids, and this is a big challenge because this number is increasing day by day. A few go for skilling in Mbarara, and the intervention by the government is minimal,” Mbonye added.
According to Mbonye, parents struggle to take care of their children due to constrained incomes, and casual labor is paid sh5,000 to work from morning to afternoon.
He called out NGOs and Civil Society organizations (CSOs) to intervene because cases of juvenile cases at Police are improving day in and day out.
Rubirizi district’s key economic activities include semi-intensive agriculture, fishing, trade and commerce, transport, stone quarrying, sand mining, mineral mining, construction industry, tourism, and lumbering, which is mainly dominated by men.
Baker Akampulira the district Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) commended Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation and its partners for taking on Nicholas and highlighted that the gesture will add value to the tourism industry in Rubirizi district.
“We are trying to market our district; tourism is not generation much to the district but generating to individuals. We want to engage all the stakeholders so that the district can help in building the infrastructure,” he said after signing a memorandum of understanding with Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation.
Nicholas is Now a Brand Ambassador
As Uganda’s youngest tour guide, this remarkable individual has not only garnered widespread admiration but has also won the hearts of many through his profound passion for tourism and community involvement.
Recognizing his exceptional talents and dedication, the young prodigy has earned a coveted, long-term endorsement from one of the country’s top tour and travel agencies, Home to Africa.
The company has experts in tailored safaris in East Africa and has unmatched knowledge of the major destinations in the region with a passion, and understanding of the region which makes it unique.
Nicholas will be the brand ambassador at Home to Africa Tour and Travel, and he is expected to set foot across the East African region in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda among other countries that have made a commitment to take charge of Nicholas’s welfare, education, and mentorship, aiming to nurture his talent and bring him closer to his dream.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with the agency’s ethos of responsible tourism and giving back to the communities that enrich travelers’ experiences.
Aryanyijuka Elias, Managing Director of Home to Africa Tours, emphasized the agency’s dedication to responsible tourism and community engagement, stating, “We believe that travel should not only be about exploring new destinations but also about giving back to the communities that make our journeys memorable. Our partnership with Bravo Shoes is rooted in this spirit of responsibility and community enrichment.”
He further added, “Our collaboration with Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation is geared towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of the tourism communities we engage with. Our shared commitment to social responsibility is the cornerstone of this partnership, and we envision a collaboration that enhances the well-being of local residents while contributing to the sustainable development of these regions.”
The collaboration between Home to Africa Tours and Bravo Shoes Community Organization represents a convergence of common values and objectives, with a shared commitment to elevate communities, empower the youth, and forge a brighter collective future.