Cultural Centre and Museum

Igongo Cultural Centre

Igongo Cultural Centre is located along the Mbarara-Masaka road in Biharwe trading center on the outskirts of Mbarara town.

The Centre comprises of a museum, a restaurant and a craft shop that exhibits the rich Ankole culture at a glance, exceptionally beautiful gardens and magnificent sculptures symbolizing the diverse bio and cultural diversity in the Ankole region. The Centre also provides Hotel accomodation, conference facilities and Facilities for functions such as weddings, Graduations, Birthdays and Camping 

The centre showcases a thorough mix of innovation, natural beauty and diversity that any visitor would love to taste on visiting the region. Find out more at: www.igongo.co.ug

Lake View Resort Hotel

Welcome to Lake View Resort Hotel and enjoy the cool breeze and calm environment. Lake view offers hotel accomodation services, conference facilities, swimming, functions e.t.c.  Read more www.lakeviewresorthotel.co.ug 

Ankole Kingdom Sites

Three sites of historical and cultural significance about Ankole Kingdom are: the Kamukuzi palace, the burial grounds and Itaaba Cultural site. 

Ankole Kingdom Headquarters and Palace, Kamukuzi

Located next to the current mbarara district headquarters; about 1km off the Mbarara-Bushenyi road, this mainly presents the historic associated with the former Ankole kingdom.

The site consists of former Ankole lukiiko, the official palace of the omugabe, the former residences of the Prime minister (locally known as Enganzi) and other two kingdom ministers, former office building of the Obugabe and the Mbaguta Monument. Come and learn about Ankole Kingdom.

Ankole Kingdom Burial Grounds, Nkokonjeru

This is found on top of Nkokonjeru hill, about 1.5km from Mbarara District Headquarters-Kamukuzi and approximately 3km from the Mbarara-Bushenyi road. The site consists about half an acre of land on which the loyal family members were buried including the Omugabe Sir Charles Gasyonga.

Itaaba Cultural site

This site consists about an acre of land on a hill top in Kyabanyoro village Rugando Sub County; overlooking Kamukuzi; the former palace of the king of Ankole, the Omugabe. It is approximately 50km away from Kamukuzi and 40km from the Mbarara-Ntungamo road. The site hosts a shrine and a fig tree from which the royal drum, Bagyendanwa was made; in short, this was the heart of Ankole kingdom.

Other Cultural sites and Campsites

Rwenjeru Community Campsite and Karibeita Shrine are other tourist sites.

Rwenjeru Community Campsite

About 2.5 km off Mbarara - Masaka road from Biharwe trade Rwenjeru Community Campsite is located in Kabucebebe village in Biharwe Sub County. The campsite is on a hill top on an 83 hectare piece of land surrounded by flat plains on the fringes of Lake Mburo National Park.

The site overlooks the Kaburangire ridges above Biharwe trading centre. The site is surrounded by gardens, homesteads, magnificent cattle farms and banana plantations typical of the traditional Ankole culture. There are various bird species, an apiary and occasional diversity of big game straying from the neighboring Lake Mburo National Park; vividly observable in the savannah plains dotted with lavish acacia stands. It provides a serene camping area, scenic viewing and walking safaris in a rich cultural heritage.

Karibeita Shrine

The site is found in Katerananga village, Biharwe Sub County; about 1 km off the Mbarara-Masaka road to the right of Biharwe trading center. The site is a cosmopolitan home on approximately one acre of land on the slope of Kaburangire hill overlooking Biharwe trading centre and is associated with cwezi spiritual healing.