Location : Kibaale District is located in Western Uganda. It borders the Districts of Hoima to the North, Kiboga and Mubende to the East, Kyenjojo to the South and Hoima and Bundibugyo to the West.
Population : The District has a population of about 414,000 people.
Main Town : Kibaale is the main town of the District and has a population of 10,500 people.
Area : 4246.1 Km2
Land and vegetation : 2.6 percent is wetland and 6 percent is forest.
The key tourist attractions of the district are given below
1. Historical/Cultural Sites
Kibaale district has a number of important cultural sites that are of national significance. Most of these sites relate to early occupation and tribal wars between Buganda and Bunyoro Kingdoms.
The most important ones are:
- Munsa Fort/Archeological Site: An important archeological site for Uganda’s history (10th-17th Century). The site is located on a visibility hill. Items found within the complex include trenches, caves and underground containers curved out of stone;
- Kihumuro Cultural Site: Tomb of Duhaga, one of the early Kings of Bunyoro;
- Nyante River at Kikwaya: Believed to be the point where King Kabalega’s cattle all perished;
- Kigwara Cultural Site: Believed to be the home of Bunyoro Cultural Music;
- Igayaza Chwezi Historical Site: Place with Nduhura’s foot print and that of his dog;
- Masaka Historical Site: Tomb of King Yosia Kitahimbwa of the Bunyoro kingdom;
- Saint Andrea Kaawa’s well at Kooki: Said to have developed at the place where Saint Andrea Kaggwa was murdered;
- Nkondo and Kahanami Chwezi History Sites: Sites have the foot print of Ndahura and his playboard in the rocks;
- Hakatuuro Kanyabuzana Chwezi site: Sites have Ndahura’s foot print on rock and print of cattle ropes;
- Rwesaza and Ngoha hills: Historical hiding places of the Banyoro from the Baganda during tribal wars;
- Bukonda Tomb: Tomb of King Nyabongo of Bunyoro;
- Misozi Historical Site: Comprises a Tomb and footprints of King Wamala of Chwezi dynasty, a play road/rock, cattle marks and drum marks;
- Kigugyo Historical Site: Tomb of King Olimi III Yisansa Gabigogo, of Bunyoro Kingdom;
- Nyamarunda Historical Site: Tomb for King Kyebambe of Bunyoro Kingdom;
- Kyapyemi and Muhorro Shrines: Shrines for Owobusobozi (the powerful) with healing powers;
- Lubiri Camp at Ndaiga: Area that was previous settlement of the Buganda rulers when they occupied parts of Bunyoro. The area also has a scenic view of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Albert.
2. Caves and Scenic Rocks
Kibaale district has the largest number of caves and scenic rocks of all districts in Uganda. The caves and rocky areas coupled with the forest vegetation presence of many bird species give ideal conditions for cave exploration, bird watching and adventure, which attractions have not yet been exploited.
The caves appear to have provided shelter and protection during tribal wars and are characterized by old stony findings.
The areas with significant potential for cave exploration include Nyarujansi hill, Mirambi hill, Maingira, Kafufu, Mutengesa, Nabihura, Ngoma hill, Butale hill, Nyabisekembe hill, Nyakaro hill and Nyasononwa. Others are: Balibonensaro, Rukindo hill, Kahindoba, Bukaranga, Musima hill, Kamuroza, Kyema hill.
Besides scenery, the rocky hills offer opportunity for hill hiking.
3. Wildlife Viewing
There are a number of small but thick natural forest reserves which are habitat to various large species of primates and birds in the district. The Kibale forest national park include Kigoma with Colobus Monkeys; Kirisa, Irobe and Nyanseke/Nyamiti with Chimpazees; Marongo with Colobus Monkeys and Baboons; Nyansimbi, Bugwara, Kyabidondoro, Mundeeba with Chimpanzees and Baboons; Nyabugando, Nyabugando and Gayaza Hill with Baboons.
Forest areas with potential for bird viewing include Kasungwa and Butonya. Other wildlife viewing opportunities include hippopotamus in River Kafu.
4. Waterfalls
Small but scenic permanent waterfalls are found in the Kijwenge hills in Nalweyo Sub-County, at Ndaiga along the Musizi River, Kahuriro falls at Ijumaga in Kiryanga Sub-County and Rukindo in Matale Sub-County.
5. Largest Drum in East Africa
The drum found at Bukumi in Nkondo Sub-County is believed to be the largest drum in East Africa. The drum belongs to Bukumi Christian Parish.
6. Crafts and Souvenirs Industry
Although the crafts and souvenirs industry is not developed, the district has significant potential for the industry based on sustainable use of raw materials available in the wetlands and forests.
7. Hotel and Catering Industry
The district had 10 accommodation business establishments with a capacity of 136 beds, at the time of the survey. The industry employed 46 people.
Kibaale Guest House and Kibale Hotel were the outstanding accommodation establishments at the time of the Survey. These two establishments were the only ones with self-contained room facilities and mainly catered for senior public and NGO employees on working visits to the district.