Kisoro Art Island, a boutique retreat and cultural sanctuary on the volcanic shores of Lake Mutanda, Uganda, officially launched on Thursday, 26th March 2026.
Co-founded by one of Uganda’s most celebrated artists, Ruganzu Bruno, the retreat merges contemporary art with warm-hearted hospitality.
Situated in the foothills of the abundant Virunga Mountains and in close proximity to two UNESCO-protected forests, the property offers a unique gateway to the region’s famous gorilla forests and magnificent volcanic landscapes.
“While my career has taken me and my art across the globe, I am returning to the mountains of my birth to launch Kisoro Art Island as a catalyst for local upliftment,” says Ruganzu Bruno, artist and co-founder of Kisoro Art Island.
“I believe art is a universal language that can transform communities; here, we use it to celebrate the Afrofuturist spirit of Uganda. By pairing world-class creativity with the raw beauty of our nearby UNESCO heritage sites, we are offering travellers a rare opportunity to experience nature and culture in perfect concert.”
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
The architecture of Kisoro Art Island is a tribute to indigenous Ugandan forms and Afrofuturist design.
The guest villas are inspired by the shape of the calabash, a traditional hollowed-out gourd used as a
container and for carrying liquids.
The property also celebrates the UNESCO-protected craft of Barkcloth, one of humanity’s first textiles predating the invention of weaving, integrating this ancient textile into the design of the guest spaces.
Several structures were built using local volcanic stone and reeds to ensure the retreat blends seamlessly with the environment.
The design of the property was led by Ugandan architect Musabyi Alex, who worked closely with
Ruganzu to translate his artistic vision into a structural reality.
In addition to the villas and A-frame accommodations, the site will feature a ‘Zome’ structure designed by Patrick Muvunga, a Congolese refugee architect, adding another layer of regional narrative to the landscape.
The A-frame ‘art frames’ provide dedicated spaces for the artist residency, placed intentionally to encourage interaction with guests.
Each villa is fully self-contained with private bathing areas and expansive decks, ensuring that the
exclusivity of the stay is matched by a constant visual connection to the volcanic horizon.
PERMANENT ART COLLECTION
The island features a permanent art collection curated by Ruganzu Bruno and his international network
of creatives.
This includes works by the internationally acclaimed Sanaa Gateja, born in Kisoro and who has previously represented Uganda in the Venice Biennale, and the multidisciplinary Ghanaian artist
Samuel Kortey Baah.
A highlight of the collection is a series of installations by the U.S. artist Shrine, who created two 16-foot ziggurat tower sculptures titled Rituals of Peace.
These towers were constructed over 30 days during Shrine’s artist residency at Kisoro Art Island using stone, mortar, and glass bottles, with cores filled with repurposed plastic waste as a statement on environmental repair.
Sanaa Gateja’s contribution will bring his signature material healing to the island, using intricate paper
beads to explore spiritual and ecological repair.
Visitors will also encounter Kazindalo, a striking installation by resident artist Sserunjogi Wilberforce that serves as a symbolic funnel, inviting guests to shed their worries and enter a state of rejuvenation.
The island’s fleet of transport boats have been transformed into floating canvases, hand-painted with vibrant patterns that reflect the local spirit.
For a more immersive experience, a unique floating bed installation allows guests to rest directly on the water, surrounded by the calm waters of Lake Mutanda, the panoramas of the distant volcanic landscape, and the art installed on Kisoro Art Island.
GORILLA TREKKING & EXCURSIONS
Guests at Kisoro Art Island have access to exclusive gorilla trekking expeditions led by highly experienced guides.
These guides were raised in ranger families who have been responsible for the conservation of this natural habitat for generations.
Visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, home to the rare mountain gorilla.
The retreat also offers scenic boat trips on hand-painted vessels and guided community nature walks.
To ensure these encounters remain intimate and respectful, treks are limited to small groups of ten
people per tour.
The expeditions navigate altitudes of 2,000 metres, offering a physically rewarding journey through some of the oldest forests on earth, and an opportunity to gaze into the eyes of the mountain gorillas, a truly profound experience.
For guests with limited mobility, the team provides a traditional sedan-chair service known locally and affectionately as the ‘African Helicopter,’ ensuring the forest remains accessible to as many as possible.
Throughout the experience, strict safety protocols are followed, including the use of face masks to protect the health of the gorilla families.
ART TO GENERATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Kisoro Art Island follows the successful economic examples of international art destinations such as
Naoshima, Japan and the cultural transformation of Bilbao, Spain.
The project uses art as a tool for social change, aiming to create sustainable jobs and support local education.
The property also supports art education at a local primary school in Kisoro.
Currently, 90% of the staff are employed from the surrounding villages, ensuring that the benefits of the project stay within the local community.
By combining world-class art with tourism, the island serves as a cultural catalyst for the region’s
development.
Economic sustainability is built into the island’s operational model with a number of the excursions, such as the Gorilla Treks, contributing 20% of guest fees dedicated directly to local conservation and
community projects.
Additionally, revenue from the property supports the primary school on Lake Mutanda and provides scholarships for students to pursue education beyond secondary school.
Future plans include the establishment of an on-site health clinic to serve both the village and visiting guests.
