Kamukuzi hill, about 1 km off the Mbarara–Bushenyi road, was the seat of the Ankole kingdom. The site includes the former palace of the Omugabe (king), the old Ankole Lukiiko (council) building, the former homes of the Enganzi (prime minister) and other kingdom officials, and the Mbaguta Monument.

About 1.5 km away, on top of Nkokonjeru hill, are the royal burial grounds. Members of the royal family are buried here, among them Omugabe Sir Charles Gasyonga II.

These are places of great cultural importance to the people of Ankole. Ask permission before you go in or take photographs, and dress respectfully.

Getting there

Both sites are in Kamukuzi, a short drive or boda-boda ride from the centre of Mbarara.

Photos: Bukulu Steven, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.