Nestled about 45 km from Bukoba town, the bustling headquarters of Kagera region, lies Bukwali—a serene village in Kashenye ward that stretches alongside the tranquil shores of Lake Victoria.
Upon arrival, one is greeted by the enchanting Julieth
Flowers Botanical Garden (JFBG), a sanctuary that boasts cool, fresh air and
aromatic blooms, welcoming visitors with a soothing embrace.
I first heard about this significant investment aimed at enhancing local life and attracting visitors, both from the surrounding area and abroad.
Intrigued, I
decided to witness this floral haven for myself, fully aware that botanical
gardens play a vital role in our collective efforts to combat the ongoing dual
crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
On January
8 of this year, I visited the garden and met its owner, Prof. Paschalis Rugarabamu.
A retired academic, Rugarabamu chose to return to his village roots instead of
living in affluent urban centers.
Who is Prof. Rugarabamu?
Prof.
Rugarabamu, born on March 23, 1959, is a father of two—Jessica, a designer, and
Peter, an engineer. As a widower who lost his beloved wife, Julieth, he carries
the weight of sorrow on his face, recalling the life they envisioned together,
dedicated to their Christian faith. His name, Rugarabamu, translates to
"finally they have made it," a fitting title given that he was the
first son among five children.
His father Ta Gerald Kiiza Baziwe,worked on a ship in Kisumu, Kenya, while his mother, Ma Magdalena Kokutangilila, tended to the family's farm in Bukwali. Interestingly, he was born while his mother was disembarking from the ship on arriving to Kisumu to join the husband, further solidifying the meaning behind his name ("he has passed through").
After a
formative early life, he pursued his education, eventually studying medicine at
Muhimbili Dental School, after initially aspiring to be a pilot. His journey
continued with further studies in Finland, eventually leading to academic roles
at Hubert Kairuki Memorial University as Deputy
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
He
later served as Vice Chancellor at the
Catholic University of Health Sciences-
Bugando for ten years until June 2024.
The Inspiration Behind Julieth
Flowers Botanical Garden
The garden
is named in honor of Prof. Rugarabamu’s late wife, Julieth, who was passionate
about floriculture and dedicated much of her time to spreading beauty and joy
through flowers before her passing. Prof. Rugarabamu expressed, "In
honoring her based on her love for flowers, my children and I built this
significant investment. We aim to establish a space where researchers and the
public can come together to discuss solutions to climate change and foster
community development."
The
garden, with its multi-million shilling investment, features a modern meeting
lounge equipped with essential amenities, a serene grotto for Catholic
gatherings to meet the Blessed Mother Mary, and a variety of flora and fauna,
all complemented by informational posters honoring family genealogy—past,
present, and future.
Currently, Prof. Rugarabamu plans to hire a florist to enhance community development further and seeks to register the garden with national and international botanical networks. This move resonates with discussions from the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP16) held in Colombia last year, which emphasized the vital role of botanical gardens in climate resilience efforts.
Community Impact
As I prepared to leave the garden, my mind drifted to a poem I had penned in October 2023 :
*Fresh flowers bloom*
Early
morning, morning
with
beauty and freshness
Vigour
with sweet smell
Eyes catch
the beauty
Wondering
the blooming
Thinking
of floral and nature
Noses
catch the smell
And turn
up to enjoy much
Insects
come and go
Harvesting
nectar to homes
Making
honey for day and us
At noon,
they start wilting
Losing
natural beauty and scent
To
completely wither in the evening
Nobody can
laugh at
That
flowers were boasting
Of their
existing
That now
are no more?
No, a
great lesson to us
That today
we are energetic
Not
God-fearing people
Living as
if we are here forever
No, it
can't be that way
It'll come
a day
A flower
is remembered
For its
beauty and good smell
For what will we be remembered?
In
essence, Julieth Flowers Botanical Garden stands not only as a monument to the
love and legacy of one woman but also as a testament to the potential of
community-driven initiatives to combat pressing environmental challenges. Prof.
Rugarabamu’s vision is a beacon of hope—a reminder that through nature, we can find
unity and purpose as we strive for a sustainable future.