In Uganda, per our emigrations from the Middle East, the center
of man's civilization and creation, man learned to use the water
in many ways: swim in it, wade across it and cross it in a boat
or canoe. In Uganda, especially, this includes the areas of the
largest lakes in the country, Lake Albert, named after the British
explorer and Lake Kabalega, named after the great Bunyoro King Kabalega
who fought the British; resisting their rule until his death. In
the Jonam and Alur vernaculars, it is also known as Lake Onek-Bonyo,
meaning "a large water which kills swarms of locusts" because the
they could not cross its expanse and after flying for hours they
became tired and fell in the water to die therefore saving the population's
food crops.
The populations along the lakes are Jonam from the Nebbi District of West Nile Region and the Banyoro of Masindi and Hoima Districts in the Midwestern Region of Uganda-both are located in the northern and northwestern axis of Uganda. These populations have suffered terribly as a result of constant drowning in the water due to storms and strong winds because the local boats and canoes were not able to resist when caught in the violent waves. Natural instincts formed and taught them to look for a solution to the tragedy of loosing their loved ones.
A century ago meetings were called by the King of Bunyoro and the Rwodi Caak of Jonam between the elders of the two communities living along the lake to discuss ways of saving themselves and the population from drowning all the time in the lake. A solution came from one of the Paramount Chiefs of Jonam Panyimur, who proposed that a test be carried out on the lake with boats and canoes having longer and heavier oars. The younger, stronger men of the communities carried out the test in two canoes. The end result was that they discovered that the larger and longer oars could withstand the strong gales and indeed propel the canoes much faster and with more comfort.
So from that time, the usage of larger, longer oars became the norm on the entire lake for both transport and fishing. These oars, to this day, are carried in the boats and canoes on reserve for emergencies when storms strike. This method became known as Goyo-Ngai, which is the European word for "rowing". The people of Jonam and Bunyoro are the only populations that are practicing and taking part in rowing competitions in Uganda.
In 1971-1972, a current prominent Ugandan National Sports Administrator was offered the opportunity to go to a German Olympic Committee Coaching Course in Steinbach, Germany. He attended with African English-speaking coaches. He went to study swimming, but the Germans were preparing for the Munich 1972 Olympic Games and he was exposed to many sports. He developed a keen interest in the beauty of handball, archery, rowing, and canoeing, which upon his return, he introduced to Uganda. Today, the four sports have contributed to Uganda's place in international sports and sports history.
DID YOU KNOW?
The people of Jonam and Bunyoro only need the modern boats and oars for rowing and canoeing in order to challenge the water sports world. Uganda needs international support especially in the areas of equipment and training for our local technical manpower. Uganda is an affiliate of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) and the African Rowing Federation.
CLUBS
There are several rowing clubs, called "GOYO - NGAI" at fish landing stations along the lake shores of Dei, Singla, Iganda, Munyua, Boro Nyamatagara and Kayonga in the West Nile Region of the Nebbi District. This is the base of the sport of rowing in Uganda.
In addition, there are "GOYO - NGAI" in Wanseko, Butiaba, Kinyoro, Bugoma, Kongo and Kaiso in the Mid-Western Region of Masindi and Hoima Districts. There are also "GOYO - NGAI" in the DRC, which is alongside the banks of Lake Kasenyi, and Lake Mahagi.
