Mbarara City is located in the Western Region of Uganda and serves as the country's second-largest city following Kampala. It functions as the primary commercial hub for most of the southwestern districts of Uganda and hosts the district headquarters. The city officially received its city status from the Ugandan cabinet in May 2019, with the designation taking effect on July 1, 2020.
The city is organized into six divisions: Kakoba, Kamukuzi, Nyamitanga, Biharwe, Kakiika, and Nyakayojo. Its name originated from a colonial mispronunciation of Emburara, which refers to the tall grass that formerly covered the entire area.