First things first, did you know that Mbarara is the second biggest city in Uganda after Kampala? Well, considering the fact that Kampala is the country’s capital city, Mbarara then automatically becomes the largest city in the Country but it is not right, a reason it’s still considered the second city.
The city is divided into 6 boroughs including; Kakoba Division, Kamukuzi Division, Nyamitanga Division, Biharwe Division, Kakiika Division, Nyakayojo Division. Mbarara is the main commercial centre of most of south western districts of Uganda and the site of the district headquarters. In May 2019, the Uganda’s cabinet granted Mbarara a city status, which started on 1 July 2020.
Apart from it being the famous land of Milk and Honey, Mbarara has a lot more to offer its residents, neighbours and visitors who go on touring the area and the neigbouring districts. The writer, Emuk Benjamen embarked on a journey to unearth the magnificence that Mbarara prides of and is ever offering to those who care to visit or its residents.
Mbarara is never less of cultural and tourism themes that can by all means plunge you in the Ankole culture and one can be sure to have an awesome stay in the city as seen below;
Location
To start with, Mbarara City is strategically located and surrounded by lakes and water bodies which make it an Ideal place for visitors to lengthen their stay as they enjoy experiencing the inimitability the city houses. Mbarara central business district lies in coordinates 00 36 48S, 30 39 30E (Latitude:-0.6132; Longitude: 30.6582). It lies at an average elevation of about 1,147 metres (3,763 ft) above sea level.
Igongo Cultural Center
As you head to Mbarara from Kampala after Masaka along Mbarara- Masaka road, you will definitely be welcomed by the amazing historical site Igongo Cultural Centre, which hosts a museum and Country hotel among others, and was established way back in 2011.
Lake Mburo and Lake Mburo National Park
Though they are out of the city, these two iconic features makes Mbarara one of the most visited district rather city as visitors go to experience the whispers of in wilderness at Lake Mburo National Park, observing the park’s nature inhabiting a variety of wildlife including; zebras, hippopotamus, impalas, warthogs, common elands, African buffalos, Oribi, Defassa, leopard, hyenas, topi, reedbucks and over 350 bird species.
While taking a game drive in the western part of the park, its savannah, clearly seen interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges with patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland alone makes it a real deal for one to fall in love with it, never wanting to leave it for anything.
Apart from the animals and birds, visitors also go to the park to see the culturally significant locations, including Rubanga, where sacrifices were once made to the gods, Ruroko, where the semi-mythical great Bachwezi lived and Kigarama where the pages (servants) of the king of Ankole used to stay, a place indeed with rich history!
Lake Mburo on the other side, offers one an opportunity to witness the hippos enjoy the privilege of being in the lap of nature as they play in the water, after a long hunt in the night. Here, one will be sure to see different bird species as they rest on the lake banks after feeding, waiting for the perfect time to go back to their nests. Visiting Lake Mburo has never been a boring experience at all!
River Rwizi
Covering approximately 8,200km, is the main source of livehood to both animals and people of Rakai, Lyantonde, Isingiro, Lwengo, Sheema, Buhweju, Rubirizi, Busenyi, Kiruhura and Mbarara, river Rwizi is yet another incredible feature that one has to visit while in Mbarara. Though its water level is significantly dwindling, it still remains one of the areas people visit for different reasons best known to them.
Mugaba Palace
This is King of Ankole royal palace strategically located in Kamukuzi in Mbarara. Though it is still currently under upgrade and expansion and in its final stage courtesy of the government of Uganda under Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Mugaba is commonly visited by those who follow the history of the Ankole Kingdom, in other words, it is not fair for one to be in Mbarara and fail to visit the royal Palace and most especially if you want to dig deep into Ankole kingdom history.
1520 AD Biharwe Solar Eclipse Monument
One thing for sure you have to know is that Uganda is one of the countries in the World blessed with two solar eclipse monuments including the 1520 AD Biharwe solar eclipse monument and the 2013 solar eclipse monument found at Owiny Primary School in Pakwach.
The Biharwe solar eclipse monument dates back to the year of 1520 ago, an archaeoastronomy site in East and Central Africa which signifies the 3 great kingdoms of Ankole, Buganda and Bachwenzi. History has it that in April 17,1520 AD when the king of Bunyoro Olimi Rwitamahanga was returning from an excursion in neighbouring Rwandaand as they arrived at Biharwe, entrance to Mbarara with his loot, the sky reportedly suddenly darkened.
The incident cast a shadow over his entourage, causing a halt in their advance and regarding it as a bad Omen rather vengeance caused by the enemy, Olimi ordered his men to abandon the loot at this exact spot. Pay a visit to this incredible solar eclise monument.
Nkokonjeru Tombs
Ankole Kingdom is said to have been established around 1400 AD, and this now seemingly abandoned derelict tombs built in colonial architectural style, located in Kakiika 3kms from Mbarara’s city centre, an ideological vital spot in the history of the Ankole people.
The site is said to host the tombs of the last two Abagabe (Kings) and Prince John Bagirye who died in 2011 before being fully installed as Omugabe. The Kingdom’s insignia is still being kept at the Uganda museum in Kampala.
The other two Abagabe lying in those tombs are Sir Edward Solomon Kahaya II and Charles Godfrey Rutaha Gasyonga II who were laid to rest in 1944 and 1982 respectively.
Barigye died without being installed as Omugabe due to the government’s 1993 nullification of his coronation ceremony.
Ankole Rukoma (the traditional coronation seat) has since remained vacant until Barigye’s demise. It remains to be seen whether his heir Prince Charles Rwebishengye will eventually get to sit on the Rukoma, well, visit the tombs for arich information on this history and more.
Night life
It is a no brainer that Mbarara is home to areas of interest to mostly young people who either seek to have fun, link up with long lost friends or simply relieve from stress. Needless to say that the city hosts a number of clubs, bars and pubs which largely all serve the same purpose, well equipped with drinks, music and artist performances. These clubs or bars or whatever you one can conveniently call them, are ever having entertainment shows with different theme nights including band nights, single ladies night and oldies night among others. Some of the popular hangout spots in Mbarara include; Club Signature , Agip Motel, De City Bar, SOHO Terrace bar, Shooters Bar and Grill among others.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that entertainment wise, Mbarara is home to incredible singers Ray G real name Reagan Muhairwe and Shamim Murerwa better known us Omega 256 among others.
Other remarkable spots in the region include Sanga Cultural Village among others which have among others, enhanced and promoted while showcasing the cultural heritage of the Banyankole. Not forgetting some of the industries the city hosts including Nile Breweries beer factory, Century Bottling Company Limited, Mbarara Steel Plant, Lato Milk and Roofings Uganda Limited among others.
Education
Mbarara is blessed with many secondary, tertiary institutions and Universities including; Mbarara University of Science and Technology – one of the nine public universities in Uganda, Makerere University Business School Mbarara Regional Campus, Uganda Bible Institute, The Law Development Centre, The Mbarara Campus of Uganda Martyrs University, The Western Campus of Uganda Management Institute, Bishop Stuart University – a private Christian University, affiliated with the Church of Uganda located in Kakoba division (Makerere University, Kikara campus), Ntare School – a boys-only boarding middle and high school, Mbarara High School – an Anglican-Church of Uganda-based residential boys-only middle and high school located at Ruharo Cathedral and is a government-aided school, Maryhill High School- a girls-only boarding middle and high school founded by the Daughters of Mary and government aided among others.
This piece isn’t incomplete without highlighting the fact that the Banyankole have two ethnic groups namely; the Bairu better known as cultivators and Bahima regarded as cattle keepers and are the second dominant ethnic tribe in Uganda, consisting of about 9.6% of Uganda’s 48.6 million people, after Buganda (16.5%) and Basoga (8.8%).
This article is brought to you by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA). #ExploreUganda, #KnowUganda, #ThePearlofAfrica
