Our Home Fort Portal Tourism City: Uganda’s Crown Jewel of Tourism

Imagine stepping into the very heart of Uganda’s natural splendor, a city embraced by breathtaking landscapes and steeped in rich cultural heritage. This is Fort Portal, officially crowned Uganda’s Tourism Capital on July 1st, 2020. More than just a destination, it’s an experience waiting to unfold.

The numbers speak volumes: in the 2018/2019 financial year, Uganda’s tourism soared, welcoming 1,505,669 international visitors and generating over $1.6 billion – making tourism the nation’s top earner of foreign exchange. And where did the majority of these adventurers venture? To the Kitara region, a land accounting for a remarkable 75% of Uganda’s natural tourism destinations, with over 70% of all international tourists exploring its wonders. Significantly, over 60% of these visitors journeyed through more than two districts, highlighting the interconnected allure of our region, with Fort Portal often being their captivating entry point.

But Fort Portal is more than just a gateway; it’s an invitation. As you arrive, prepare to be captivated by the “pearl of Uganda,” a title earned through its strategic location amidst the country’s most significant tourism treasures in the Albertine region. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains and consistently recognized as Uganda’s cleanest city, Fort Portal offers immediate access to a tapestry of natural wonders: the iconic Kibale National Park, the sprawling Queen Elizabeth National Park, the mist-shrouded Rwenzoris, the untamed Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserves, the tranquil Lake Mburo, and the gorilla havens of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga. Beyond the parks, discover the mystical stalagmites and cascading Nyakasura waterfalls, whispering tales of the ancient Chwezi culture.

As the historical capital of the Tooro Kingdom, Fort Portal sits at the center of a breathtaking panorama: countless crater lakes dotting the verdant landscape, rolling hills meeting towering mountains, and a vibrant ecosystem teeming with endemic flora and fauna. Here, you’ll encounter the Batooro people, the majority population, renowned for their serene nature and unparalleled hospitality – a true reflection of the city’s welcoming embrace.

More than just its stunning location, Fort Portal is tourism. Its very definition as a city is interwoven with the countless individuals whose livelihoods are directly and indirectly supported by this thriving sector. It is the natural heart, the undisputed capital, drawing energy from the surrounding natural wonders and the warm spirit of its people.

Strategically positioned, Fort Portal acts as the central key to unlock experiences ranging from the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzoris to the chimpanzees and gorillas of nearby national parks, the over 60 incredible crater lakes that paint the landscape, and the ancient forests teeming with life. Its balanced climate, a rarity, fosters year-round vibrancy, supporting both its welcoming atmosphere and the surrounding agricultural abundance.

Serenity and genuine hospitality are the cornerstones of tourism, and Fort Portal embodies both. Coupled with the natural beauty and the peaceful, welcoming nature of the Batooro people, the city creates an exciting and inviting environment, a launchpad for the endless adventures that await.

Looking ahead, Fort Portal is poised to blossom into a unique metropolitan hub, its burgeoning hotel and hospitality industry ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of global travelers. This growth will ripple outwards, bolstering local businesses, particularly in the transport and agriculture/food sectors. With dedicated government investment and a focus on infrastructure, Fort Portal is projected to become a fully-fledged tourism city by 2040, a testament to its already unrivaled position as Uganda’s premier tourism destination, offering immense potential for local employment and a brighter future for its people.

Come, discover the magic of Fort Portal – where your Ugandan adventure truly begins.

Our Operation Area Kitara Region; Where the Equator Embraces the ‘Switzerland of Africa’

Step into Kitara, a realm straddling the very heartbeat of East Africa – the Equator. Our story stretches back to 1889, a time when Uganda was under the British Protectorate, and even then, the unique charm of this land couldn’t be denied. Its rolling hills, coupled with an extraordinary tapestry of vegetation and a climate like no other, earned it the evocative nickname: ‘the Switzerland of Africa.’

Imagine a land cradled entirely within the embrace of the Great Rift Valley’s twin arms. Journey westward with us, where our border meets the lands of the former Belgian Congo (Zaire), tracing the contours of the western Rift Valley, a dramatic scar across the earth punctuated by the shimmering expanse of Lakes Albert, Edward, George, and Kivu. Here, too, rise the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, their snow-capped peaks piercing the sky, with Mount Margarita reaching a breathtaking 5,119 meters. Further southwest, volcanic sentinels – the Muhabura range – stand guard, their imposing forms jutting from the Rift Valley between 3,500 and 4,000 meters high.

Now, turn eastward, where Kitara shares a border with Tanzania, once German East Africa. Historical shifts in 1910, orchestrated by the British, Belgians, and Germans, shaped Uganda’s southern reaches, incorporating the captivating lands of Kigezi (formerly part of Belgian Congo) and Bufumbira (previously part of German East Africa) into our embrace. Interestingly, Kigezi’s history intertwines with Rwanda, which, alongside Burundi and Tanganyika, once formed part of German East Africa.

While Kitara is predominantly a land of expansive plateaus, sculpted hills, ranging from 200 to 500 meters, rise in gentle contrast across the landscape, bearing the marks of time and erosion. Yet, in the far west, ancient tabular formations still stand as silent witnesses to millennia past.

Feel the unique energy of the Equator as it traverses our region, bestowing upon us an equatorial climate, beautifully moderated by the varying altitudes. Experience the rhythm of two distinct dry seasons, each painting the landscape in different hues. Note the subtle shifts in temperature, from the sun-drenched plains near Lake Albert to the glacial majesty of Mount Rwenzori’s highest reaches, where the air whispers of ice and snow.

Ascend with us into the higher elevations, where nature orchestrates a breathtaking symphony of vegetation. Lush, dense forests, interwoven with the delicate embrace of liana, carpet the lower slopes. As we climb, these give way to the verdant tapestry of mountain forests, stretching up to approximately 3,200 meters. Beyond this altitude, discover the serene beauty of bamboo groves and the unique, airy expanse of high-altitude prairies.

Kitara is more than just a location on a map; it’s a story etched in the very fabric of the land, a captivating blend of history, dramatic geography, and unparalleled biodiversity. Come, explore the heart of East Africa, where every vista whispers tales of ancient times and every journey unveils a new facet of its remarkable character.

Unique Identity of Kitara Foundation:

• The Spirit of Kitara: Collaborative Tourism for a Brighter Future” (blending community and collaboration).
• Our Location: “Based in Fort Portal Tourism City, Uganda’s renowned tourism capital”.
• Collective Identity: “Dedicated, Collective and Passionate about elevating the entire Kitara region”.
• People-Centered Approach: “A people-centered initiative committed to strengthening the foundations of our tourism sector – coordination, promotion, and the vital preservation of our natural and cultural heritage”.
• Regional Focus and Collaboration: “Our primary focus is on fostering regional cooperation across Tooro, Bunyoro, Ankole, Rwenzori, and Kigezi, uniting tourism actors, stakeholders, and communities to unlock the full potential of our diverse landscapes and rich traditions”.
• Social Enterprise Mission: “As a social enterprise, we drive sustainable tourism development to uplift community livelihoods, protect our natural wonders, and cherish our unique cultural identity – a commitment powerfully expressed in our ‘Keep Kitara green and black’ ethos”.
• How We Achieve Our Goals: “We achieve this by creating direct employment opportunities, developing compelling tourism experiences, implementing strategic regional marketing, and providing crucial coordination within the tourism industry”.
• Geographic Reach: “From the vibrant hub of Fort Portal to the diverse districts spanning Bunyoro to Kigezi, Kitara Foundation plays a key role in ensuring seamless collaboration and shared benefits across the region”.
• Call to Action: “Join us in shaping a thriving and sustainable tourism future for Kitara!”.

Contact Kitara Foundation by sending an email to kitararcc@gmail.com

Call us at Phone: 256392156562, Mobile 256772888149 or 256752888149