Mparo Tombs

Mparo near Hoima is the burial place of Omukama Chwa II Kabalega, who ruled Bunyoro-Kitara from 1870 and resisted the British for a decade before being captured and exiled in 1899; he died in 1923 on his way home and was buried here. His son Tito Winyi is buried alongside. The tomb is a grass-thatched house in the Bunyoro manner containing spears, drums, stools, skins and other possessions of the king.

What you actually see

• The thatched tomb house - a grass building in the Bunyoro royal manner.
• The regalia - spears, drums, stools and skins kept with the burial.
• The Kabalega story - the Omukama who resisted the British and died in exile.
• The Winyi grave - his son and successor buried alongside.

When to go

Year round; the site is open in daylight with a custodian. Weekdays are quiet. Bunyoro kingdom ceremonies occasionally close it.

Honest expectations

The site is small and the visit is short. Shoes are removed and photography is restricted inside. Interpretation depends entirely on the custodian and varies.

Nearby

Hoima is nearby, and Kibiro is west below the escarpment.