Mbarara district

Last updated
Mbarara District
District
Amazon building in Mbarara City in Uganda.jpg
inside Mbarara
Mbarara District in Uganda.svg
District location in Uganda
Coordinates: 00°36′S30°36′E / 0.600°S 30.600°E / -0.600; 30.600
CountryFlag of Uganda.svg  Uganda
Region Western Uganda
Sub-region Ankole sub-region
Capital Mbarara
Area
 • Total1,846.4 km2 (712.9 sq mi)
 • Land1,778.4 km2 (686.6 sq mi)
Elevation
1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Population
 (2012 Estimate)
 • Total445,600
 • Density250.6/km2 (649/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+3 (EAT)
Area code 027
Website www.mbarara.go.ug
Mbarara Mbarara at Sundown.jpg
Mbarara

Mbarara District is a district in South Western Uganda. In 2019, the Ugandan Cabinet approved part of Mbarara District, the then-Mbarara municipality, to be upgraded to city status effective July 2020.

Contents

Location

Cycling in Mbarara district Y Coetsee Bicycle on a bridge Mbarara (2013).jpg
Cycling in Mbarara district

Mbarara District is bordered by Ibanda District to the north, Kiruhura District to the east, Isingiro District to the southeast, Rwampara District to the southwest, Sheema District to the west and Buhweju District to the northwest. [1] The district headquarters at Mbarara, the largest city in the sub-region, are located approximately 290 kilometres (180 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. [2] The coordinates of the district are:00 36S, 30 36E.

Overview

Mbarara District is part of the Ankole sub-region. The districts that comprise Ankole include: (a) Buhweju District (b) Bushenyi District (c) Ibanda District (d) Isingiro District (e) Kiruhura District (f) Mbarara District (g) Mitooma District (h) Ntungamo District (i) Rubirizi District, and (j) Sheema District.

The area covered by the above districts constituted the traditional Ankole Kingdom. In 1967, Milton Obote abolished the traditional kingdoms in Uganda. When Yoweri Museveni re-established them in 1993, Ankole did not re-constitute itself.

Mbarara district consists of one municipality (Mbarara Municipality), and nineteen rural sub-counties, organized into two counties. Mbarara District covers a land area of 1,778.4 square kilometres (686.6 sq mi), with an average elevation of about 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) above sea level. The district receives an average annual rainfall of 1,200 millimetres (47 in). Temperatures range between 17 °C (63 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F).

Balmy weather on Biharwe Hill overlooking Biharwe area Mbarara District Balmy weather on Biharwe Hill overlooking Biharwe area Mbarara District.jpg
Balmy weather on Biharwe Hill overlooking Biharwe area Mbarara District

The district is subdivided into one municipal council, Mbarara Municipality, and 13 sub-counties, namely: 1. Kashari 2. Bubaare 3. Bukiro 4. Kagongi 5. Kakiika 6. Kashare 7. Rubaya 8. Rubindi 9. Rwanyamahembe 10. Biharwe 11. Kakoba 12. Kamukuzi 13. Nyamitanga.

Population

In 1991, the national census put the population of the district at about 267,500. The 2002 census estimated the district population at about 361,500, of which 51% were female and 49% were male. The estimated growth rate was about 2.2%. 55% of the district population was aged between 0 and 18 years. In 2012, the district population was estimated at approximately 445,600. [3]

Economic activities

A Banana Plantation along Kabale-Mbarara Highway A Banana Plantation along Kabale-Mbarara Highway.jpg
A Banana Plantation along Kabale-Mbarara Highway

As is the case with the majority of Ugandan districts, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of Mbarara District. Both crops and livestock are raised in the district, primarily on a subsistence level, but several commercial farms are located in the district. Crops grown include:

The livestock raised in the district includes:

Tourism

The main tourist attractions in Mbarara District include the following:

Lake Mburo National Park

Grants zebras in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda Grants zebras in Lake Mburo National Park,Uganda.jpg
Grants zebras in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park is located about 30 km east of Mbarara Town. [4] The park size is approximately 370 km2 [5] and was named after Lake Mburo which occupies about 20% of its total area. [5] The park is home to zebras, impalas, elands, leopards, hippos, hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, buffaloes and about 350 bird species. [5]

Lake Nakivale

Lake Nakivale is located about 40 kilometers south-east of Mbarara town. [6] The lake's water body, sandy beaches and expansive open grounds make it an attractive spot to tourists.

Vegetation and human activity around River Rwizi in Mbarara Vegetation and human activity around River Rwizi in Mbarara 18.jpg
Vegetation and human activity around River Rwizi in Mbarara

River Rwizi

River Rwizi supplies both domestic and commercial water to Mbarara town. The river is also an important ecosystem and acts as a tourist site for safari tourists on their way to and from the south western part of Uganda.

Community health

In Uganda, Mbarara district has consistently been rated among the top 20 districts in the improvement of community health. The district has attained a penta vaccine coverage of 86.4%, 66% deliveries of pregnant mothers in health units, a 1.3% out-patient department (OPD) per capita utilization, and a comprehensive HIV/AIDS service coverage of 85% with a prevalence rate of 7%, sanitation coverage of 97% and reduction in sanitation related diseases occurrence by 40%. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ankole</span> Former country

Ankole was a traditional Bantu kingdom in Uganda and lasted from the 15th century until 1967. The kingdom was located in south-western Uganda, east of Lake Edward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ntungamo District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Ntungamo District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Ntungamo, the location of the district headquarters. Ntungamo was elevated to a district on 5th May 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushenyi District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Bushenyi District is a district in Western Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its chief town, Bushenyi, where the district headquarters are located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamwenge District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Kamwenge District is a district in Western Uganda. It is named after its 'chief town', Kamwenge, where the district headquarters are located. Kamwenge District is part of the Kingdom of Toro, one of the ancient traditional monarchies in Uganda. The kingdom is coterminous with Toro sub-region. The districts that constitute the sub-region are: (a) Bunyangabu District (b) Kabarole District (c) Kamwenge District (d) Kyegegwa District (e) Kitagwenda District and (f) Kyenjojo District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mbarara</span> City in Uganda

Mbarara City is a city in the Western Region of Uganda and the second largest city in Uganda after Kampala. The city is divided into 6 boroughs of Kakoba Division, Kamukuzi Division, Nyamitanga Division, Biharwe Division, Kakiika Division, Nyakayojo Division. It is the main commercial centre of most of south western districts of Uganda and the site of the district headquarters. In May 2019, the Uganda's cabinet granted Mbarara a city status, which started on 1 July 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibanda District</span> District in Western Region, Uganda

Ibanda District is a district in the Western Region of Uganda. The town of Ibanda is the site of the district headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isingiro District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Isingiro District is a district in the Western Region of Uganda. The town of Isingiro is the district's main municipal, administrative, and commercial center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiruhura District</span> District in Western Region, Uganda

Kiruhura District is a district in the Western Region of Uganda. The town of Rushere is the site of the district headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibanda</span> Place in Ibanda District

Ibanda is a town in the Western Region of Uganda. It is the main political, administrative, and commercial centre of Ibanda District and the site of the district headquarters. It started way back in the 1990s and was elevated from a trading centre to a town board, town council and in 2016 it was granted the municipality status. The Municipal Council has three Divisions of Kagongo, Bisheshe and Bufunda with 21 wards of Kyaruhanga, Bufunda, Nyamirima, Nsasi, Kayenje, Kashangura, Rwenshuri, Kigarama, Rugazi, Rwobuzizi, Kakatsi, Bugarama, Karangara, Kabaare, Kanyansheko, Nyakatookye, Kyeikucu, Kikoni, Kagongo, Ruyonza and Katongore ward. Ibanda Municipal Council has over 230 villages. Ibanda Municipal council commenced its operations on 1 July 2016 after being elevated from a Town Council and other sub counties that were annexed to..

Ankole sub-region is a region in the Western Region of Uganda that consists of the following districts:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubirizi District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Rubirizi District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, the district is named after its 'chief town', Rubirizi, where the district headquarters are located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buhweju District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Buhweju District is a district in Western Uganda. It is one of the districts that constitute the Ankole sub-region. Its 'chief town', is Nsiika.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitooma District</span> District in Uganda

Mitooma District is a district in Western Uganda. It is named after its main municipal, administrative and commercial center, Mitooma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheema District</span> District in Western Uganda, Uganda

Sheema District is a district in Western Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Rwizi</span> River in Uganda

River Rwizi is a river located in South Western Uganda in district called Mbarara. River Rwizi is a river located in southwestern Uganda. It is the second-longest river in Uganda, after the Nile River. The river originates in the hills of Buhweju District and flows through the districts of Sheema, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Rwampara, Mbarara, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Lyantonde, Rakai, and Kyotera. It eventually empties into Lake Victoria. Many swamps feed river Rwizi, including Nyakafumura, part of the Mushasha water basin, and Kanyabukanja wetland. These marshes function as water reservoirs or catchments, gently releasing water into the river to support the surrounding population.

Biharwe is a neighborhood within Mbarara City

Sanga, is an urban center in the Kiruhura District, Ankole sub-region, in the Western Region of Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyabushozi County</span> Residential and administrative unit in Uganda

Nyabushozi County is the south constituency of western Region, Ugandas district of Kiruhura. This is where Lake Mburo National Park is found. It borders with Isingiro in the south and Mbarara to the south-west The Area is commonly known for being Cattle keeping area characterised and highly occupied by indigenous Ankole Sanga Cattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kazo District</span> District in Western, Uganda

Kazo is a district in Uganda's Western Region. It is located approximately 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi) west of Uganda's capital Kampala. It covers an area of 1,556 square kilometres (601 sq mi) and recorded a population of 177,054 in the 2014 Ugandan census. The capital of the district is the town of Kazo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Mburo</span> A Ugandan freshwater lake

Lake Mburo is a freshwater lake located in western Uganda, situated within the Lake Mburo National Park. It is a prominent feature of the region, known for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.

References

  1. ↑ Uganda District Map
  2. ↑ "Road Distance Between Kampala And Mbarara With Map". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Estimated Population of Mbarara District In 1991, 2002 and 2012". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Attractions in Mbarara | Uganda Tourist Sites" . Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  5. 1 2 3 "Lake Mburo National Park". www.ugandawildlife.org. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  6. ↑ "Lake Nakivale". Visit Ankole. Archived from the original on Apr 18, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Health | Mbarara District". www.mbarara.go.ug. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
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