Visitors often pass through Mbarara City when traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking or Queen Elizabeth National Park for game viewing. But it should also be on your list as a place to visit.
Mbarara is the second-largest city in Uganda after Kampala. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, surrounded by the districts of Sheema, Ntungamo, Ibanda, Kiruhura, Buhweju, and Isingiro.
The city covers an area of about 10,020 square kilometers. Even though some parts were split off to form new districts, Mbarara remains the largest metropolitan area in the region.
In recent years, it has grown quickly, overtaking cities like Masaka, Jinja, Gulu, Entebbe, and Mbale in terms of industry, infrastructure, and importance.
Modern buildings have been built in a short time, allowing locals to earn income from their businesses and improve their living standards. These buildings include hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, plazas, and arcades.
Mbarara is home to important institutions such as Mbarara University, founded in 1989, which is now one of the largest educational centers in Uganda.
Other key facilities include Nile Breweries, Mbarara Century Bottling Company Limited, Mbarara Steel Plant, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara Community Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Holy Innocent Children’s Hospital, Ruharo Mission Hospital, Uganda Bible Institute, Mbarara High School, and Mary Hill High School.
The city lies near the districts of Bushenyi, Mitooma, and Rubirizi. Its name comes from a colonial mispronunciation of the Ankole word “Emburara,” which refers to a tall green grass liked by the long-horned Ankole cattle.
Over time, the name became Mbarara. The city is mainly home to the Banyakore people, who depend on farming and raising livestock at a subsistence level.
Mbarara is often called a paradise because of its natural wealth. It is home to over one million people, many of whom are known for their large cattle farms.
The long-horned Ankole cattle are common here. Over the years, many herders have moved their cattle to other parts of the country with more pasture. Some have shifted to growing cash crops and fruit gardens to support their families.
Mbarara is also a key route connecting Uganda to neighboring countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making tourism more accessible.
Within the city, you can visit the Igongo Cultural Centre or Sanga Cultural Village to learn about the local culture. From there, you can easily reach Lake Mburo National Park for game viewing.
The city is near important water sources such as Lake Nakivale, Lake Kachera, and the Rwizi River. These water bodies support local industries and homes, helping daily life run smoothly.
Road transport is the most common and affordable way to reach Mbarara City, making it an essential and easy place to visit on your Uganda trip.
