Kabale
Encyclopedia
Kabale is a city in Western Uganda
. It is the 'chief town' of Kabale District
and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.
, Uganda
's capital and largest city. The town lies 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) above sea level
. The coordinates of Kabale are:01 15 00S, 29 59 24E (Latitude:-1.2500; 29.9900).
and a transportation hub as the main road from Kampala
continues through the town, to the border with Rwanda
at Gatuna
, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Kabale. Another road continues westwards to Kisoro
, where travelers may continue to either the Democratic Republic of the Congo
or the Rwanda
n town of Ruhengeri
. Kabale is often used as a stop-off point for people visiting Lake Bunyonyi
and is also a convenient base for the tourists to the two parks famous for mountain gorilla
tracking : Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
. The Virunga Mountains
along the Rwandan border are visible from the town.
In 2011, UBOS estimated the mid-year population of Kabale at 44,600.
Kabale is the largest metropolitan area in Kabale District
. It is also the largest town in the Kigezi sub-region
. Kabale is one of the most scenic towns in Uganda, with Green, interlocking and heavily cultivated hills, that range from 1219 metres (3,999.3 ft) to 2347 metres (7,700.1 ft) above sea level that surround the city, and with beautiful Terraces of Vegetable farms and numerous valleys in which an approximately 2 Million people live, Kabale remains one of Uganda's tourist attractions. This altitude makes it colder than the rest of the country. The average monthly temperatures are around 18 °C (64.4 °F) and can fall to 10 °C (50 °F) at night. Relative humidity is between 90 and 100% in the morning and decreases to between 42% and 75% in the afternoon, all the year around.
s. The town is on the way to the national parks where these endangered animals reside - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
. Bwindi is in fact partially within Kabale District. Other attractions include the Ihimba Hot Springs
nearby, and Lake Bunyonyi
, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Kabale.
Western Region, Uganda
Western Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
. It is the 'chief town' of Kabale District
Kabale District
Kabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.
Location
Kabale is located approximately 420 kilometres (261 mi), by road, southwest of KampalaKampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
's capital and largest city. The town lies 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. The coordinates of Kabale are:01 15 00S, 29 59 24E (Latitude:-1.2500; 29.9900).
Overview
Kabale is a market townMarket town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
and a transportation hub as the main road from Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
continues through the town, to the border with Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
at Gatuna
Gatuna
Gatuna is a town in northern Rwanda.-Location:Gatuna is located in Burera District, Northern Province, at the border with the Republic of Uganda. Its location is about , by road, north of Kigali, Rwanda's capital and largest city...
, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Kabale. Another road continues westwards to Kisoro
Kisoro
Kisoro is a town in Western Uganda. It is the 'chief town' of Kisoro District and the district headquarters are located there. The district was named after the town.-Location:...
, where travelers may continue to either the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
or the Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
n town of Ruhengeri
Ruhengeri
Ruhengeri is a city and capital of Musanze District in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Some sources now refer to the city itself as Musanze, after the district in which it lies. It lies near the twin lakes of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo and is the gateway city to Volcanoes National Park and the...
. Kabale is often used as a stop-off point for people visiting Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi lies in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. Located at 1,962 m above sea level, it is about 25 km long and 7 km wide. The depth of the lake is rumored to vary between 44 m and 900 m, which if true would make the lake the second...
and is also a convenient base for the tourists to the two parks famous for mountain gorilla
Mountain Gorilla
The Mountain Gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic...
tracking : Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and is situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Great Rift Valley...
. The Virunga Mountains
Virunga Mountains
The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. They are located between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu...
along the Rwandan border are visible from the town.
Population
According to the 2002 national population census, Kabale municipality had 41,344 inhabitants. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), estimated the population of the town at 43,500 in 2008.In 2011, UBOS estimated the mid-year population of Kabale at 44,600.
Geography
Kabale District
Kabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
. It is also the largest town in the Kigezi sub-region
Kigezi
Kigezi District once covered what are now Kabale District, Kanungu District, Kisoro District and Rukungiri District, in southwest Uganda. Its terraced fields are what gives this part of Uganda its distinctive character. Kigezi was popularly known as the Switzerland of East Africa...
. Kabale is one of the most scenic towns in Uganda, with Green, interlocking and heavily cultivated hills, that range from 1219 metres (3,999.3 ft) to 2347 metres (7,700.1 ft) above sea level that surround the city, and with beautiful Terraces of Vegetable farms and numerous valleys in which an approximately 2 Million people live, Kabale remains one of Uganda's tourist attractions. This altitude makes it colder than the rest of the country. The average monthly temperatures are around 18 °C (64.4 °F) and can fall to 10 °C (50 °F) at night. Relative humidity is between 90 and 100% in the morning and decreases to between 42% and 75% in the afternoon, all the year around.
Tourist attractions
The major attraction bringing visitors to Kabale are the mountain gorillaMountain Gorilla
The Mountain Gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic...
s. The town is on the way to the national parks where these endangered animals reside - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and is situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Great Rift Valley...
and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a national park in the far south-west of Uganda near the town of Kisoro.-Location:The park is located in the Virunga Mountains and is contiguous with the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. Bwindi is in fact partially within Kabale District. Other attractions include the Ihimba Hot Springs
Ihimba Hot Springs
The Ihimba hot springs are situated on Kabale-Katuna Road, approximately , south of Kabale. The Ihimba hot springs derive their name from the Bahimba people who live near these springs....
nearby, and Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi lies in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. Located at 1,962 m above sea level, it is about 25 km long and 7 km wide. The depth of the lake is rumored to vary between 44 m and 900 m, which if true would make the lake the second...
, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Kabale.
Other Landmarks
The landmarks within the town limits or close to the edges of town include:- The headquarters of Kabale District AdministrationKabale DistrictKabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
- The offices of Kabale City Council
- Kabale Regional Referral Hospital - A 250 bed public hospital administered by the Uganda Ministry of HealthUganda Ministry of HealthThe Uganda Health Ministry, commonly known as the Uganda Ministry of Health, is a government department in Uganda. The ministry is headed by three cabinet members; one Minister of Health and two State Ministers of Health.-Location:...
- A branch of Barclays Bank
- A branch of Centenary BankCentenary BankCentenary Bank is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the twenty-three licensed commercial banks in the country.-Overview:The bank is a mid-sized financial services provider in Uganda. It is primarily involved in the promotion of development through loans to rural farmers, processors of...
- A branch of Crane BankCrane BankCrane Bank is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the twenty-three commercial banks licensed by the Bank of Uganda, the national banking regulator.-Overview:The bank is a mid-sized financial services provider in Uganda...
- A branch of DFCU BankDFCU BankDFCU Bank, commonly known as DFCU, but whose full name is Development Finance Company of Uganda Bank Limited, is a commercial bank in Uganda...
- A branch of Kenya Commercial Bank
- A branch of National Bank of CommerceNational Bank of Commerce (Uganda)National Bank of Commerce is a commercial bank in Uganda. The bank provides banking services to individuals and to small and medium business enterprises...
- A branch of PostBank UgandaPostBank UgandaPostBank Uganda is a non-bank credit institution in Uganda. As of May 2010, PostBank Uganda was a small credit institution whose asset base was estimated at about US$39 million.-History:...
- A branch of Stanbic BankStanbic Bank (Uganda) LimitedStanbic Bank Limited is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the commercial banks licensed by Bank of Uganda, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
- A branch of Pride Microfinance LimitedPride Microfinance LimitedPride Microfinance Limited , is a Microfinance Deposit-taking Institution in Uganda.-Location:The headquarters of PML are located in Metropole House, on Entebbe Road, in the central business district of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
- A branch of the National Social Security FundNational Social Security Fund (Uganda)The National Social Security Fund is a semi-government agency responsible for the collection, safekeeping, responsible investment and distribution of retirement funds from employees of the private sector in Uganda, who are not covered by the Government Retirement Scheme...
- Kabale Currency Center - A currency storage and processing facility owned and operated by the Bank of UgandaBank of UgandaThe Bank of Uganda is the Central Bank of the Republic of Uganda. Established in 1966, by Act of Parliament, BOU is 100% owned by the Government of Uganda, but is not a government department.-Organization and Governance:...
, Uganda's Central BankCentral bankA central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is a public institution that usually issues the currency, regulates the money supply, and controls the interest rates in a country. Central banks often also oversee the commercial banking system of their respective countries...
. - The campus of Kabale UniversityKabale University-Location:The main campus of Kabale University is located on Kikungiri Hill, in Kabale Municipality, on of land donated by Kabale District Administration. The location is , off the Kabale-Gatuna Road, approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
- A private university, one of the thirty (30) universities in Uganda - Kabale AirportKabale AirportKabale Airport is an airstrip serving Kabale, a town in Kabale District, in Southwestern Uganda. It is one of the forty-six airports in the country.-Location:...
- A civilianCivilianA civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
airportAirportAn airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
operated by Kabale Municipality - The Kabale Campus of Uganda Martyrs UniversityUganda Martyrs University-Location:The main campus of UMU is in Nkozi, a small town, approximately , by road, west of Kampala, the capital and largest city in Uganda, on the Kampala-Masaka Highway...
- Roayl supermarket kabale plot no 142/144 kle k'ro road (The best shopping place in town)
External link
- Lake Bunyonyi & Kabale in Your Pocket - A free downloadable booklet about Lake Bunyonyi and Kabale
- Kabale Faces Shortage of Clean Water
See also
- Kabale DistrictKabale DistrictKabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
- Kabale UniversityKabale University-Location:The main campus of Kabale University is located on Kikungiri Hill, in Kabale Municipality, on of land donated by Kabale District Administration. The location is , off the Kabale-Gatuna Road, approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
- Bishop Barham University CollegeUganda Christian UniversityUganda Christian University is a private church-founded university administered by the Church of Uganda .-Location:The main campus of the university, with approximately 6,500 students, is located in the town of Mukono, approximately , by road, east of Uganda's capital city, Kampala, on the...
- Kigezi sub-regionKigeziKigezi District once covered what are now Kabale District, Kanungu District, Kisoro District and Rukungiri District, in southwest Uganda. Its terraced fields are what gives this part of Uganda its distinctive character. Kigezi was popularly known as the Switzerland of East Africa...
- Western Region, UgandaWestern Region, UgandaWestern Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...