PRINCE Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Source of the Nile in Jinja on Saturday, seeing for themselves a site that once mesmerised legions of British explorers obsessed with finding the beginning of River Nile.

The Prince and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles arrived at the Speke Memorial, across the river from the tourist viewpoint.

They then got on to a boat and took the short trip across to the landing, where they briefly toured the site and attended a short ceremony that included cultural dances.

The visit was largely symbolic, giving the Royal couple an opportunity to see some of Uganda's cultural sites during their stay in the country.

They paused at the Gandhi Monument and also at the newly-built monument to the Commonwealth countries that was put in place in time for Chogm.

The couple then walked to a waiting audience who watched the cultural performance. The Prince and Duchess then drove away shortly after in a 15-vehicle convoy. Prince Charles didn't say much during the brief visit; he just waved to the people and smiled at them.

The royal couple was welcomed to Jinja by the Mayor Muhammed Baswale Kezaala and other district officials.
Earlier, the Prince of Wales visited Amref sponsored projects in Kawempe, Kampala and St. Joseph's Secondary School Naggalama in Mukono District.

Prince Charles' visit to Uganda during the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit has been considered by the British press as a move to boost his profile on the world stage, in preparation for his ascension to the throne.

For centuries, explorers dreamt of finding the Source of the Nile. Many failed in their efforts, until British explorer John Speke "discovered" the site in the middle of the 19th century.

The claim has been challenged several times, because some believe the true source of the Nile is in Rwanda, at the end of an isolated river that feeds into Lake Victoria.