The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Col. Tom R. Butime, on Thursday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a major expansion of the Kikorongo Equator Monument, setting in motion a UGX 9.7 billion project that will transform the popular roadside landmark into a full-fledged tourism and cultural hub.
The development to be implemented by Kwed Construction Limited will add an information and interpretation centre, a restaurant, two thematic museums, a viewing deck, expanded parking, and a craft market to the existing monument site in Kasese District.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has provided 2.7 acres of land to support the construction.
According to the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon Tom Butime,”This expansion is about more than adding buildings it’s about giving every visitor who stops at the Equator a reason to stay a little longer, learn something new about our heritage, and leave with a deeper connection to Uganda. We are committed to building tourism infrastructure that matches the scale of the experiences our country has to offer.”
Once complete, the new Information and Interpretation Centre will tell the story of the Equator’s scientific and geographical significance, the surrounding Rwenzori ecosystem, and the area’s cultural heritage.
The two thematic museums will focus on Uganda’s equatorial geography and the traditions of the Rwenzori region, while a viewing deck will give visitors panoramic views over the wildlife corridor and surrounding landscape.
The restaurant and rest area are designed to give travellers a comfortable stop along the route to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the expanded parking will accommodate both tour buses and private vehicles, addressing a longstanding bottleneck at the site during peak travel periods. Craft shops and a cultural market will also be built to give local artisans a permanent outlet to sell their work and benefit directly from the growing visitor traffic.
UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi, who joined Minister Butime at the ceremony said the project reflects the Authority’s broader push to turn the Equator crossing into more than a photo stop.
“Kikorongo sits at a unique crossroads geographically and culturally. By investing in facilities like these, UWA is ensuring that this site doesn’t just mark a line on the map, but becomes a place where communities benefit directly through jobs, craft sales, and new business opportunities.”
The expansion builds on the momentum of the monument’s 2024 redevelopment, which replaced a deteriorating structure dating back to 1952. That earlier phase quickly proved popular with travellers, with the site drawing thousands of visitors monthly and prompting government officials to fast-track plans for additional facilities.
Thursday’s ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Tourism, UWA leadership, representatives of Kwed Construction Limited, local government leaders, and members of the media.
Once finished, the expanded Kikorongo Equator Monument is expected to further cement Kasese’s place on Uganda’s tourism map, giving visitors more reasons to pause at the intersection of the hemispheres before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park, while creating jobs and market opportunities for surrounding communities.