GULU, UGANDA: Tourism stakeholders have raised concerns over poor infrastructure at Fort Patiko, warning that inadequate facilities are limiting visitor numbers and undermining the site’s potential as a major heritage destination in northern Uganda.
Ronald Okello Onen, a senior tour guide at the site, says the lack of basic amenities, particularly modern sanitation, continues to frustrate visitors, especially international tourists.
“Some of the international tourists who come here are not comfortable using the current latrines. We need modern flush toilets to improve hygiene and the overall visitor experience,” he said.
Onen, who has worked at the site for over 16 years, called on the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to prioritise infrastructure upgrades to enhance the site’s appeal.
Beyond sanitation, the site lacks essential tourism facilities such as restaurants, souvenir shops, and resting areas, factors that limit the time visitors spend at the historical landmark.
“If we had restaurants and souvenir shops here, tourists would stay longer and even buy items that remind them of the place,” he noted.
Fort Patiko, located in Anyadwe Village in Patiko Sub-county, sits on approximately 73 hectares and holds significant historical importance. The site was captured from Arab slave traders by Sir Samuel Baker in 1872 during efforts to suppress the slave trade.
It was later gazetted as a national historical site in 1972 to preserve its cultural heritage.
Despite this rich history, the site attracts relatively low visitor numbers. According to Onen, only about 150 people visited Fort Patiko last year, most of them school pupils on educational tours.
Schools frequently organise visits to the site as part of the Primary Leaving Examination curriculum, giving learners practical exposure to Uganda’s history.
Tourism experts say improving infrastructure at Fort Patiko could unlock its full potential, boost visitor numbers, and create economic opportunities for surrounding communities.
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