The city of Mbarara is the municipal centre of the homonymous district, located approximately 270 km southwest of the capital, Kampala. This district, bordering several other regions such as Ntungamo, Sembabule, Rakai, and Bushenyi, is part of the former kingdom of Ankole.

Economically, Mbarara stands out as the primary hub for milk processing, being the largest supplier of this product to Kampala and the rest of the country. Many factories in the city are devoted to this purpose, contributing significantly to the country’s supply.

Additionally, Mbarara features a domestic airport approximately 14 kilometres from the city and a 1.5-hour drive from Lake Mburo National Park.