Page 57 - July - Sept 2022 Edition

Photo: Steve Williams, Kyaninga Lodge

Fort Portal

Fort Portal town is �e � � most a�ractive towns in Uganda � h�
several landmarks: ho�ls, banks, restaurants, a golf course � many more.

Fort Portal town is the gateway There are two options to consider
LOCATION? to the Rwenzori Mountains which when getting to Fort Portal:
Fort Portal lies in the northern are viewed from most corners of 1. Private Hire
foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, the town. Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, 2. Via one of the big bus
300km west of Kampala and 50km Semliki Valley National Park are companies (see OTB page), as
north of Kasese town in western few hours drive away from the Uganda Post Bus no longer travels
Uganda. town centre. Excursions to these to Fort Portal from Kampala.
parks can be arranged by
Kabarole Tours, a local tour
POPULATION? operator based in Fort Portal. GETTING AROUND?
The estimated population of Fort Tours to crater lakes, caves As there isn't much traffic in Fort
Portal in 2011 was approximately (Amabere Caves) & waterfalls Portal it's fairly safe to take the
47,100, according to UBOS. around Fort Portal town. These can Boda boda's which you will find
be arranged by Kabarole Tours. at just about every corner in Fort
Toro golf course & Toro Portal. For 1000 ugx (30 euro
SOME HISTORY? Botanical Gardens cents) You can travel about 2-3
It is the only town in Uganda with kilometres. Otherwise you can
an English name “Fort Portal”, and also take a private hire (taxi)
the town was named after the which you can find on the corner
British Consul General of Zanzibar, SHOPPING? of the roundabout found at the
Sir Gerald Portal, who came to The town has got several centre of Fort Portal leading on to
Uganda in 1890s to formalize British shopping points scattered along the Bundibugyo Road.
protectorateship over Uganda. Fort the main road. The most popular
Portal town is the seat of both is Andrew’s supermarket which CUP OF TEA?
Kabarole district and Toro Palace, stocks a wide range of local & Fort Portal is Famous for its tea.
built in the 1960s. imported food & drinks. Local This area is gifted by nature with a
handicrafts and souvenir shops cool climate which ensures a
ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES? are also located along the relatively slow plant growth rate.
The beautiful Toro Palace. The Fort-Portal - Kampala Road. This naturally makes the tea a
palace lies on the hill above the high grown, high quality tea.
town. It was restored by Libyan The consumption of this tea is
government following the destruc- GETTING THERE? associated with many health
tions in 1960s, when Kingdoms Take the Kampala Mbarara road benefits. These include anti-
where abolished in Uganda by which was tarmaced in 2007 and allergy, anti-oxidation,
Obote government. is in excellent condition. Fort Portal anti-hypertension, anti-viral,
Sir Gerald Portal’s statue lies at is 311 kilometres (193 mi) by road anti-obese, anti-cancer,
the main road of the town. from Kampala and takes about 4 anti-bacterial enzyme inhibition
Karambi Tombs: The Karambi hours to arrive. Mubende is found and many other human health
Tombs are the burial grounds of about half way between Kampala problems. You can buy the tea in
Omukama Kasagama & Rukidi III. and Fort Portal, here you can fill any local shop, or even better visit
They are located 5km out of the up with petrol and buy food and one of Fort Portal's tea
town on the Kasese Road. drink. plantations.

55