02/10/2026
A boat cruise across Lake Bunyonyi is more than a scenic ride. As you move between the hills and islands, you can stop at places with fascinating histories, including Akampene, better known as Punishment Island.
The tiny island carries a painful history. In the past, unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned there as punishment under traditional customs. Some died from hunger or exposure, while others were rescued by men who reached the island by canoe. The practice eventually ended, but the story remains part of the cultural history of the Kigezi region.
Today, Akampene is quiet and small, but its story makes it one of the most memorable stops on a Lake Bunyonyi boat cruise.
