Uganda’s oldest hotel lies in the heart of Bunyoro
The film, set during the First World War, helped bring international attention to the region and its waterways.
Masindi: Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, a sub-region endowed with abundant natural resources and rich cultural heritage, is home to Masindi Hotel, Uganda’s oldest hospitality establishment, whose history dates back to 1923.
Constructed in 1923 by the East African Railways and Harbours Company, Masindi Hotel is located in Masindi town, approximately 214 kilometres northwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. The hotel sits along the Masindi-Hoima highway.
The hotel holds a significant place in Uganda’s hospitality history, having served as an important stopover for travellers, traders and colonial officials moving through the country during the early 20th century.
At the time, Masindi Hotel was among the country’s few established accommodation facilities, providing lodging for travellers proceeding to Butiaba Port on Lake Albert in present-day Buliisa District.
Butiaba Port was a major transport hub during the British colonial administration, with the SS Robert Coryndon steamship operating on Lake Albert. The vessel facilitated the movement of passengers and cargo, attracting travellers undertaking business and leisure journeys.
Masindi also served as a transit point for goods and agricultural produce from northern Congo and southern Sudan destined for European markets.
Cargo was transported across Lake Albert to Butiaba, from where it was moved by road to customs sheds in Masindi. The goods were subsequently transported towards Lake Kyoga, shipped to Soroti and then carried by railway to Mombasa for export.
The transport network positioned Masindi as an important commercial centre, while the hotel provided accommodation for travellers navigating the region’s developing trade routes.
A hotel linked to international celebrities
Masindi Hotel’s historical significance extends beyond its role in transport and trade. It is also associated with internationally renowned personalities who visited the region.
American author Ernest Hemingway stayed at the hotel after surviving two plane crashes in the Murchison Falls and Butiaba areas in the 1950s. He recuperated in Masindi before continuing his travels.
Hollywood actors Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn also stayed at the hotel while filming the classic adventure film The African Queen at Masindi Port in 1951.
The film, set during the First World War, helped bring international attention to the region and its waterways.
From government ownership to privatisation
Following Uganda’s independence, Masindi Hotel was taken over by the government and became part of the Uganda Hotels chain, under which it operated for nearly three decades.
In 2000, the hotel was privatised and subsequently underwent major renovations to improve its facilities and services.
Today, Masindi Hotel operates as a three-star establishment and remains one of the leading hospitality facilities in the Bunyoro sub-region.
Beyond accommodation and tourism, the hotel represents an important part of Masindi’s historical identity, reflecting the town’s former position as a centre of colonial-era transport and commerce.
Its legacy continues to offer visitors an opportunity to connect with the history of Bunyoro and explore nearby attractions, including Murchison Falls National Park and the Lake Albert region.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.
