Population: 450,000
Economy: Agriculture
Nearest District: Masaka, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kiruhura
Nearest Airport: Mbarara Airstrip
Attractions: Long Horn Ankole Cattle, Zebras at Lake Mburo, Rolling Hills
Mbarara is situated in the Western region of Uganda, 295 Kilometres southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Mbarara District is one of Uganda’s fastest growing districts something attributed to trade boom that has swept through the region over the last decades.
Mbarara district was the Eastern part of old Ankole district of the former Ankole Kingdom until1962. It comprised of present day districts of (Mbarara, Bushenyi and Ntungamo) however when Milton Obote 1 abolished kingdoms in Uganda in 1967, Mbarara became Ankole district. Later in 1974, the provincial administration divided Ankole into East and West Ankole. East Ankole became Mbarara district in 1980.
Today, Mbarara district is bordered by Ibanda District in the north, Kiruhura District in the east, Isingiro District & Ntungamo District in the south, Sheema District to the west and Buhweju District to the northwest.
Agriculture is the main economic activity of Mbarara District. Both crops and livestock are raised primarily on subsistence level. However, commercial farming is also practiced in some parts of the district. Crops grown mainly include; Matooke, Beans, Maize, Sorghum, Millet etc. Livestock includes; Ankole cattle, exotic cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, sheep, chicken etc
Getting there & Away
Mbarara is an important transport hub, lying west of Masaka on the road to Kabale. Mbarara town is the main route for many travelers and buses heading to Kabale, Rwanda & Burundi.
Buses run from Kampala to Mbarara regularly & can be found both in the Qualicell Bus Park next to the New Taxi Park and at the New Nakivubo Bus terminal. Regular buses operate Mbarara route include, Horizon Coaches, Swift coaches, Gateway Coaches.
The post Bus also connects the Kampala, Mbarara, Masaka & Kabale routes and vice verse. Connecting Buses and Mini – Bus Taxis to neighboring districts use Mbarara Bus Park as connecting point before adjourning to different routes and vice verse.
Accommodation:
Budget and upmarket accommodation is available within and out of Mbarara town. These include Lakeview Resort Hotel, Rwizi Hotel, Oxford Inn, Agip Motel and many more. See Accommodation page for details.
Tourism attractions
Mbarara is a lively town which receives many visitors and is a cross-road for travelers heading towards the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo, the Rwenzori mountains and kabale in the southwest.
The Nkonkonjeru tombs at Kakika, burial site of the last Abagabe (kings) of Ankole: Omugabe (King) Kahaya II and Omugabe Gasyonga and other Ankole royals.
Excursions include Safarilanda Park, built on the side of a hill overlooking the Rwizi. It is a wooden structure with restaurants, bars and balconies all decorated in African style.
Banks: Banking services are available within the town centre. Major Banks in Kampala have their branches also scattered in Mbarara town. These include;Barclays Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank Of Uganda, Centenary Rural Development Bank, Stanbic bank, Standard chartered.
Stanbic bank offers foreign exchange services at fair rates
Shopping
Mbarara town has a good number of Supermarkets along the Main Street, along Kampala road and next to the post office.
Internet
Several internet café are scattered along the Main Street and they charge Ush50 per minute
Where to stay:
Mbarara has finest accommodation and recreation facilities. These include;
Up market:
Classic Hotel. Tel: 0485 20609.
Lake View Hotel. Tel: 0485 21398.
Midrange:
Agip Motel. Tel: 04854 20060\21615.
Lake View Regency Hotel. Tel: 04854 22112. E-mail ivh@infocom.co.ug.
Oxford Inn. Tel: 077 683097.
Pelikan Hotel. Tel: 0485 21100, Fax: 21704.
Budget:
Grand Holiday Inn. Tel: 04854 433455.
Hotel Classic. Tel: 04854 21131. E-mail hotclassic@swiftuganda.com
Mayoba inn. Tel: 0485-21161.
Oxford Inn. Tel: 0772 546538.
Riheka Guesthouse. Tel: 04854 21314.
University Inn. Tel: 04854 20335.
Westland Inn. Tel: 0774 151253.
Camping:
Agip Motel.Tel: 04854 20060\21615.