Nestled at the foot of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, Fort Portal Tourism City is not just Uganda’s crown jewel of natural beauty and cultural heritage, it is now poised to become a beacon of digital innovation.
In a groundbreaking move, the Tooro Kingdom has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maarifasasa Limited to establish the Tooro Digital Impact Hub, a transformative initiative set to empower thousands of youth and reshape the region’s economic landscape.
Hosted at the Kingdom’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre in Fort Portal, this partnership is a bold step toward blending Tooro’s rich cultural legacy with the boundless opportunities of the digital age.
Signed on July 10th, 2025, by Rt. Hon. Omujwarakondo Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom, and Robert Bob Okello, Chief Executive Officer of Maarifasasa Limited, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a pivotal moment for the region.
The Tooro Digital Impact Hub is more than just a tech facility, it is a commitment to equipping 5,000 young people with cutting-edge digital skills and supporting the digital transformation of over 250 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on the tourism sector.
With a goal of ensuring at least 60% female participation, this initiative is as inclusive as it is ambitious.
The Tooro Kingdom is pulling out all the stops, providing a 300-square-meter facility in Fort Portal, rent-free for the duration of the five-year partnership.
The Kingdom will also offer institutional support, subsidized utilities, and mobilize youth and businesses to engage with the hub’s programs.
Meanwhile, Maarifasasa Limited brings its expertise to the table, equipping the hub with state-of-the-art technology and delivering training in digital literacy, e-commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, and remote work readiness.
Together, they aim to create a dynamic ecosystem where innovation thrives and opportunities abound.
“This partnership is a bold step in positioning Tooro Kingdom as a digital powerhouse and leader in youth-centered innovation,” said Rt. Hon. Rwomiire during the signing ceremony. His words echo the Kingdom’s broader vision, championed by His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, to harness technology for sustainable development while preserving Tooro’s cultural heritage.
At the heart of the Tooro Digital Impact Hub is a mission to unlock the potential of Tooro’s youth. With Fort Portal as the cultural and administrative capital of the Tooro Kingdom, the hub is strategically positioned to serve as a collaborative space for creators, startups, and enterprises across the region.
Set to officially open its doors in August 2025, the hub will offer tailored programs that align with Tooro’s tourism-driven economy and cultural identity.
Imagine a young woman in Fort Portal learning to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to market her small tourism business globally, or a group of young entrepreneurs developing an e-commerce platform to showcase Tooro’s vibrant crafts and agricultural products.
These are the kinds of stories the hub aims to make possible. By focusing on skills like graphic design, web development, and digital marketing, the hub will empower youth to compete in an increasingly digital world, creating pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
Robert Bob Okello, Chief Executive Officer of Maarifasasa, emphasized the company’s mission to democratize access to digital opportunities. “We are honored to work with the Kingdom to create a dynamic ecosystem where young people can learn and innovate their way into the future as we advance our bold goal of unlocking 1 million earning opportunities in the digital economy by 2030,” he said.
This aligns seamlessly with Tooro’s Vision 2045, a 25-year development plan launched by King Oyo to promote skills development, poverty eradication, and tourism.
What makes the Tooro Digital Impact Hub truly unique is its commitment to weaving Tooro’s cultural heritage into its mission.
Fort Portal, often called the “Egypt of Uganda” for its cultural richness, is home to the Batooro people, known for their hospitality and vibrant traditions.
The hub will integrate these values, offering programs that celebrate Tooro’s identity while preparing its youth for the demands of the modern economy.
For example, tourism-focused Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will receive training to digitize their operations, enabling them to tap into global markets while showcasing Tooro’s breathtaking landscapes, crater lakes, and cultural festivals like the Empango coronation anniversary.
The hub’s programs will also support agritourism, a growing sector in Tooro, where visitors can engage in farming activities and sample local products like specialty teas and honey, efforts that align with the Kingdom’s recent partnership with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to boost agricultural innovation.
The Tooro Digital Impact Hub is more than a local initiative; it’s a model for how cultural institutions and private enterprises can collaborate to drive inclusive, sustainable development across Africa.
By combining Tooro’s traditional governance with Maarifasasa’s technological expertise, the partnership is creating a blueprint for empowering communities in the digital age.
The hub’s focus on gender equity, with a target of 60% female participation, sets a powerful example for addressing systemic barriers and fostering equality.
As Fort Portal continues to shine as Uganda’s Tourism City, the Tooro Digital Impact Hub will amplify its appeal, attracting innovators, investors, and visitors alike.
The Kingdom’s ongoing efforts, from health campaigns to environmental conservation and youth empowerment, demonstrate a holistic approach to development that other regions can emulate.
As the Tooro Digital Impact Hub prepares to launch, anticipation is building among Fort Portal’s youth and business community.
This initiative is a testament to what’s possible when tradition meets innovation, and when a Kingdom’s vision aligns with a bold commitment to progress.
With the support of King Oyo, the leadership of Rt. Hon. Rwomiire, and the expertise of Maarifasasa, the hub is set to transform lives and cement Tooro’s place as a leader in Uganda’s digital and cultural renaissance.
For the young people of Tooro, the message is clear: the future is yours to shape. As King Oyo said during the recent Tooro Annual Youth Conference, “You are never too young to lead.” With the Tooro Digital Impact Hub, the tools to lead and succeed are now within reach.
About Tooro Kingdom
The Tooro Kingdom, one of Uganda’s four traditional kingdoms, traces its origins to the 16th-century Bito dynasty, founded by Prince Olimi Kaboyo Kasunsunkwanzi.
Abolished in 1967 but restored in 1993, Tooro Kingdom is led by His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV (the reigning Omukama of Tooro), crowned at age three in 1995 after his father’s death. Born April 16, 1992, to King Patrick Kaboyo III and Queen Best Kemigisa, Rukidi IV of Tooro, now 33, symbolizes cultural resilience.
As Omukama (King or traditional ruler in Uganda), King Oyo’s role focuses on heritage, with the 2025 Hima Open (July 10-12) honoring his 30th coronation anniversary.
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