Kibiro World Heritage Bid Gains Momentum as Experts Consult Stakeholders

What the report says

International heritage experts have visited Kibiro in Hoima District as part of efforts to advance the site’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status, according to Nile Post. The location is known for its hot springs and traditional salt-mining gardens, both of which are seen as important cultural heritage features.

The visit on Thursday, October 15, 2026, involved the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a UNESCO advisory body on cultural heritage. The team met community members, conservationists, district leaders and representatives of the Bunyoro Kingdom to discuss the nomination and ways to protect the site’s historical value.

Nile Post reported that government officials view the nomination as part of broader tourism and development goals. A Ministry of Tourism commissioner, Dr Jacklyne Nyirakyiiza, said the process could help raise Kibiro’s profile and support domestic tourism and investment. She also noted that the site was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List in 1997 and that a proposal was resubmitted in February 2026.

The article said local leaders also linked the bid to possible improvements in roads and public services, while security officials urged stakeholders to guard against encroachment as the process continues. The story indicates that if Kibiro completes the required review and approval steps, UNESCO recognition could strengthen conservation efforts and bring wider attention to the area.