The Emin Pasha Fort, located in present-day Albert Nile, Pakwach District, West Nile region, is a historic site famous for its role in the fight against the slave trade in Africa in the late 1880s.
Emin Pasha, a German-born Ottoman governor of the Equatorial Province of Egyptian Sudan, established the fort as his base, launching attacks against slave traders operating in the region.
“From his headquarters at Fort Dufile on the Albert Nile, he launched attacks against slave traders operating in the region,” said Emmanuel Kunihira, Assistant, Curator.
In 1889, Emin Pasha captured the fort and established a military base to stop the slave trade in Northern Uganda and Sudan.
The fort is now a historic landmark, attracting tourists and students. “This site is very important because it ended slave trade, and for education, we normally receive learners here to study and tour the place,” Kunihira said.
However, despite its potential for revenue, poor infrastructure has hampered its accessibility and development.
“We get limited local tour because the routes are all very poor, especially during the rainy season, the roads are impassible,” Kunihira added.
Locals, like Alfred Pacutho, remember the site for its fight against slavery.
“The importance of Emin Pasha, for us the local community here, we really get the benefit when foreigners come here, we get money from them that we use for buying soap, salt, and other things,” he said.
However, Pacutho requests government support for social amenities like schools, hospitals, and good roads.
“We are requesting the government to establish for us schools, hospitals, communication network, and work on the roads for future generations,” he said.
Mr Stephen Omonyi, District Tourism Officer, revealed plans by the Korean government to develop the site, with an agreement of 49 years.
“Emin Pasha fort sits on 12 acres of land, and the Korean government is trying to redevelop the place,” he said.
Tourism is a significant contributor to Uganda’s economy, with the sector contributing 3.2 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2024. The government has invested Shs430 billion towards the development of the sector.