The road narrows and the hurry falls away. Gardens stretch out, cooking fires send thin lines of smoke into the air, and voices can be heard as they travel easily across open space.
Empaako Village reveals itself slowly with people seated in conversation, a pot simmering nearby as people curiously interact and learn. The village is shaped by names, and they are not the kind that fill registers or identity cards, but names spoken with intention and acknowledge you before anything else.
At Empaako Village, culture is lived in small, human moments. Stories are shared under shades, ceremonies carried out with care and meals eaten slowly. Visitors go in expecting to learn about tradition and leave understanding that belonging, like a name, is something gently offered.
The village sits about nine kilometres outside Fort Portal, along the Kibaale-Kyenjojo/Kwemwenge Road at Kigarama-Gweri. It was started by Solomon Kajura, whose vision was to create a living heritage space, one where culture is practiced, not preserved behind glass.
‘Empaako Village is a place where culture is alive,’ Kajura says.
‘Here, we are not remembering tradition. We are living it.’ At the heart of the village is the Empaako naming tradition, shared by the Batagwenda, Batooro, Banyoro, Banyabindi and Batuku communities of western Uganda.
An Empaako is given alongside one’s personal name, but it carries deeper meaning. It is how respect is shown in daily life, how affection is expressed and people recognise each other as fully human. In many homes across the region, people greet one another by Empaako first.
The name softens conversation and establishes warmth. It reminds you that before titles, achievements or status, you belong. That philosophy shapes everything at Empaako Village.
Most visits begin with a guided walk through the village museum. It is modest and thoughtfully put together, with artefacts, symbols and stories that explain where the Empaako system comes from and why it still matters today.
Guides take their time. They speak plainly, often pausing to answer questions or invite reflection. It feels less like a lesson and more like being welcomed into a shared memory. From there, attention turns to the naming ceremonies. Elders lead these rites quietly, choosing words with care. Some visitors come simply to observe, sitting respectfully as the ceremony unfolds. Others, after guidance, take part.
For many, especially Africans from the diaspora, this becomes the emotional centre of the experience. Receiving an Empaako name is not dramatic.
There are no raised voices or hurried gestures. Instead, there is stillness, intention and meaning. People often leave surprised by how deeply the moment settles in them. As the day moves on, people gather around a fireplace.
Stories are told the old way- myths, clan histories, lessons wrapped in humour and lived experience. Sometimes drumming follows. Sometimes dance and other times just quiet listening as smoke curls upward and children move in and out of the circle.
Food brings everyone together. At the village restaurant, local dishes from the region are prepared simply and served generously. Meals are enjoyed, often shared, with conversation drifting from history to everyday life in the area.
It feels less like conventional dining out and more like being hosted. Visitors often say they did not expect to feel what they felt here. Wesley Foster ‘Abooki’ describes his visit as a spiritual return.
‘The pilgrimage felt like a true homecoming,’ he says.
‘Receiving my Empaako name connected me to something ancient. I left renewed and grounded.’
For James Anderson ‘Apuuli’, it was a discovery. ‘The journey opened my eyes to a rich heritage. Every ritual taught me something meaningful. I left with newfound cultural pride.’
Linda Davidson ‘Akiiki’ speaks of belonging. ‘I came seeking history but found family. The naming ceremony touched me deeply. I finally felt a sense of belonging.’
And Brian Beckley Kufor ‘Amooti’ calls the experience healing. ‘The pilgrimage brought clarity and healing. My Empaako name gave me purpose. I returned home feeling stronger and connected.’
These reflections echo what many visitors experience. Empaako Village attracts cultural travellers, students, researchers, families and a growing number of Africans in the diaspora seeking reconnection with ancestral traditions.
What draws them is the sincerity. The place seems to listen, and in listening, it reminds you that identity is not something you take but are given. You are allowed to capture moments so you can leave with memories and true belonging.
Key information
Location: Approximately nine kilometres from Fort Portal town, along the Kibaale-Kyenjojo/Kwemwenge Road, at Kigarama-Gweri. It is accessible by private vehicle or taxi from Fort Portal.
Opening days, hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 6pm
Activities and experiences: Guided museum tours on the Empaako naming tradition, live naming ceremonies by observation or respectful participation, storytelling sessions around the fireplace, cultural performances of traditional music, dance and drumming as well as local cuisine experiences at the village restaurant.
Rates: Guided cultural tour cost between $15 and $25 (about Shs52,500 and Shs87, 500), curated naming ceremony experience for $40 and $80 (about Shs140, 000 and Shs280,000), half-day cultural immersion package for $60 and $120 (Shs210, 000 and Shs420, 000) for Ugandans and foreigners respectively.
Accommodation options: There are many in the Fort Portal area. Budget guesthouses range from anywhere from $20 to $40 (about Shs70,000 to Shs140,000) per night.
Mid-range hotels/lodges range from $60 to $100 (about Shs210, 000 to Shs350, 000) per night. Upmarket eco-lodges rates range anywhere from $120 to $200 and more (Shs420, 000 to Shs700, 000 and more) per night.
Family and child friendliness: The village has a family-friendly environment with open space with storytelling, music and cultural demonstrations suitable for children, ceremonies explained in ways young visitors can understand and calm, safe setting ideal for multigenerational visits.