Tummy Troubles? There’s a Boat for That!

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A dodgy tummy or surprise sniffles don’t have to ruin your Bunyonyi adventure. There’s solid local medical know-how nearby to sort most things out quickly, so no need to panic. At Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi we of course also have a first aid box handy for you …

That said, if you’ve got a condition that likes to make itself known, best give us a quiet heads-up before you arrive. The more clued-up your hosts are, the smoother things will go if anything flares up. No one wants a drama when they could be canoeing or soaking up views.

It might mean bringing enough meds to see you through, especially if you’re on daily stuff. In some instances, it’s worth updating nearby specialists just in case things get interesting.

Bwama Health Centre III, started by Slovenian medical students, is on the lake’s biggest island and it’s pretty well kitted out. You’ll need a boat to get there, but don’t worry, this place isn’t short on those. There’s even an official water ambulance, all flashy and fast, for proper emergencies.

Over on the Kyabahinga peninsula, the tiny Florence Mubonehe Memorial Health Centre does a bit of everything — from check-ups to teeth, eyes, bumps and even early cancer screening. Not bad, right?

If things get a bit too spicy, you’ll be sent to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital. It’s the one we mentioned last week, with loads of beds and sharp staff. It’s only about 30 minutes away by car (traffic here’s hardly a London rush hour).

Still, best to stay one step ahead: drink safe water, sleep under a net, wash your bits and bobs, and keep the germs guessing.

🖋️ text by:

Comfort Kansiime works at Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi while she’s also finishing her university studies — a diploma in tourism and hospitality management — in the town of Kabale. Comfort stays with her parents in Bufuka, Uganda. Click for our article about Comfort. [bio updated: 2026-03]

📸 photography by:

Brenda Katusiime is the excellent self-taught chef who ran Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi from 2019 to 2021. She returned in 2024 and still considers it home in Bufuka, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-03]

Elie Cirhuza is a freelance journalist and digital communication consultant who works on the Gorilla Highlands Experts media team. A 2025 winner of the Jinsia Kwa Amani competition in DR Congo, Elie is UNICEF’s U-Reporter who participates in community outreach about fighting ebola and similar diseases. His current post is Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-06]