Kibaale District
Encyclopedia
Kibaale District, sometimes spelled as Kibale District, is a district
in Western Uganda
. Like most other Uganda
n districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kibaale
, where the district headquarters are located.
to the north, Kyankwanzi District
to the northeast, Mubende District
to the east, Kyegegwa District
to the southeast, Kyenjojo District and [Kabarole District]] to the southwest and Ntoroko District
to the west. The district headquarters at Kibaale
are located approximately 219 kilometres (136.1 mi), by road, west of Kampala
, Uganda's capital and largest city.
The coordinates of the district are:00 58N, 30 59E.
The district consists of three counties, each of which has a commercial centre, namely:
Kibaale
is the largest settlement of Buyaga County. The largest town in the district is Kagadi
also in Buyaga County followed by Karuguuza in Buyanja County. Kibaale located near Karuguuza is the location of the district headquarters. A main trunk road was built in 1997, as a result of co-operation between the governments of Uganda
and Ireland
. The road connects the towns of Mubende
, Kakumiro, Kibaale
and Kagadi
.
, one of the ancient traditional monarchies in Uganda. The kingdom is coterminus with Bunyoro sub-region
, home to an estimated 800,000 inhabitants in 2002, according to the national population and household census, held that year. The five (5) districts in Bunyoro sub-region are: Bulisa District
, Hoima District
, Kibaale District
, Kiryandongo District
and Masindi District
. Kibaale District is part of an area known as “Lost Counties”.
In 1900, the 1900 Uganda Agreement defined the boundaries of Buganda Kingdom, including the important areas of Bunyoro south and east of the Kafu River. The area soon became known as the “Lost Counties”. The counties were included as a sub-national territorial element of Buganda. The administration of the “Lost Counties” as well as Bunyoro itself was modelled on the Buganda political system and under the leadership of Baganda
chiefs. In addition to land the Baganda held political and administrative positions from village chief and upwards. The Baganda also controlled schools and churches in the “Lost Counties”, and Luganda was the only native language allowed in public institutions. Buganda was at the center of the colony while Bunyoro remained as a subsidiary territory.
After a referendum in 1964 the counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi, which constitute present-day Kibaale District, went to Bunyoro Kingdom, and subsequently political and administrative control shifted from Baganda to Banyoro hands. President Obote
abolished the kingdoms in 1967, but the counties remained part of Bunyoro District. In 1974 Bunyoro was divided into North Bunyoro and South Bunyoro, which were renamed Masindi District
and Hoima District
, respectively, in 1980. In 1991 Buyaga and Bugangaizi separated from Hoima District
and became Kibaale District.
{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="100%" align="center" | Kibaale District Population Trends
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Year !!Estimated Population
|-
|2002||405,900
|-
|2003||418,100
|-
|2004||430,600
|-
|2005||443,500
|-
|2006||456,800
|-
|2007||470,500
|-
|2008||484,700
|-
|2009||499,200
|-
|2010||514,200
|-
|}
Kibaale District is socially heterogeneous, with more than thirty two (32) registered ethnic groups, but only half of the population are Banyoro, and the remainder are of Ugandan immigrant origin. About 60% of the population are Catholic
s, 30% belong to the Church of Uganda
, and 3% are registered as Muslims. The district, like most of Western Uganda
, is a predominantly rural area, with an average population density of around 145 persons per km². Only about 1% of the inhabitants live in urban settlements. Kibaale District has the highest fertility rate in Uganda (8.2).
is currently cultivated. The population is mainly engaged in subsistence production of food
crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava
, millet
, beans, bananas and groundnuts. Bananas cover an estimated 14400 hectare, of which 90% are for brewing enguuli, the undistilled precursor of Uganda Waragi.
Districts of Uganda
Uganda is divided into 111 districts and one city across four administrative regions. Most districts are named after their main commercial and administrative towns....
in Western Uganda
Western Region, Uganda
Western Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
. Like most other 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...
n districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kibaale
Kibaale
Kibaale is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Kibaale District, and the district headquarters are located there...
, where the district headquarters are located.
Location
Kibaale District is bordered by Hoima DistrictHoima District
Hoima District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal centre, Hoima.-Location:...
to the north, Kyankwanzi District
Kyankwanzi District
Kyankwanzi District is a district in Central Uganda. The district is named after its 'chief town' of Kyankwanzi.-Location:Kyankwanzi District is bordered by Masindi District to the north, Nakaseke District to the east, Kiboga District to the southeast, Mubende District to the south, Kibaale...
to the northeast, Mubende District
Mubende District
Mubende is a district in Central Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Mubende. Mubende District was reduced in size in July 2005 with the creation of Mityana District.-Location:...
to the east, Kyegegwa District
Kyegegwa District
Kyegegwa District is a district in Western Uganda. It is named after its 'chief town', Kyegegwa, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
to the southeast, Kyenjojo District and [Kabarole District]] to the southwest and Ntoroko District
Ntoroko District
Ntoroko District is a district in Western Uganda. The district is named after 'chief town', Ntoroko, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
to the west. The district headquarters at Kibaale
Kibaale
Kibaale is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Kibaale District, and the district headquarters are located there...
are located approximately 219 kilometres (136.1 mi), by road, west of 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...
, Uganda's capital and largest city.
The coordinates of the district are:00 58N, 30 59E.
Overview
Kibaale District stretches out on the Central Plateau at an altitude between 680 metres (2,231 ft) and 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft) above sea level. The climate is tropical with relatively reliable rainfall that ranges between 1000 millimetres (39.4 in) and 1500 millimetres (59.1 in), spread over two productive agricultural seasons. The wet seasons between September to December and March to May are intercepted by two dry periods.The district consists of three counties, each of which has a commercial centre, namely:
- Buyaga County – The largest county
- Bugangaizi County
- Buyanja County – The smallest
Kibaale
Kibaale
Kibaale is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Kibaale District, and the district headquarters are located there...
is the largest settlement of Buyaga County. The largest town in the district is Kagadi
Kagadi
Kagadi is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main commercial center in Kibaale District. However, the district headquarters are located in Kibaale, the district's main political and administrative center.-Location:...
also in Buyaga County followed by Karuguuza in Buyanja County. Kibaale located near Karuguuza is the location of the district headquarters. A main trunk road was built in 1997, as a result of co-operation between the governments of 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...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The road connects the towns of Mubende
Mubende
Mubende is a town in Central Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Mubende District and is the location of the district headquarters. Mubende is the sister city of Tumwater, Washington, USA.-Location:...
, Kakumiro, Kibaale
Kibaale
Kibaale is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Kibaale District, and the district headquarters are located there...
and Kagadi
Kagadi
Kagadi is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main commercial center in Kibaale District. However, the district headquarters are located in Kibaale, the district's main political and administrative center.-Location:...
.
History
Kibaale District is part of the Kingdom of BunyoroBunyoro
Bunyoro is a kingdom in Western Uganda. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in East Africa from the 16th to the 19th century. It is ruled by the Omukama of Bunyoro...
, one of the ancient traditional monarchies in Uganda. The kingdom is coterminus with Bunyoro sub-region
Bunyoro sub-region
Bunyoro sub-region is a region in Eastern Uganda that consists of the following districts:* Buliisa District* Hoima District* Kibaale District* Kiryandongo District* Masindi District...
, home to an estimated 800,000 inhabitants in 2002, according to the national population and household census, held that year. The five (5) districts in Bunyoro sub-region are: Bulisa District
Bulisa District
Buliisa District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most Ugandan districts, Buliisa District is named after its "main town" Buliisa, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Hoima District
Hoima District
Hoima District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal centre, Hoima.-Location:...
, Kibaale District
Kibaale District
Kibaale District, sometimes spelled as Kibale District, is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kibaale, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Kiryandongo District
Kiryandongo District
Kiryandongo District is a district in Western Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kiryandongo, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
and Masindi District
Masindi District
Masindi District is a district in Western Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' of Masindi, the location of the district headquarters. The region of the country in which the district is located is comparatively dry, but is fertile enough to support a...
. Kibaale District is part of an area known as “Lost Counties”.
In 1900, the 1900 Uganda Agreement defined the boundaries of Buganda Kingdom, including the important areas of Bunyoro south and east of the Kafu River. The area soon became known as the “Lost Counties”. The counties were included as a sub-national territorial element of Buganda. The administration of the “Lost Counties” as well as Bunyoro itself was modelled on the Buganda political system and under the leadership of Baganda
Baganda
The Ganda are an ethnic group native to Buganda, a subnational kingdom within Uganda. Traditionally comprising 52 tribes the Ganda have a rich history and culture...
chiefs. In addition to land the Baganda held political and administrative positions from village chief and upwards. The Baganda also controlled schools and churches in the “Lost Counties”, and Luganda was the only native language allowed in public institutions. Buganda was at the center of the colony while Bunyoro remained as a subsidiary territory.
After a referendum in 1964 the counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi, which constitute present-day Kibaale District, went to Bunyoro Kingdom, and subsequently political and administrative control shifted from Baganda to Banyoro hands. President Obote
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
abolished the kingdoms in 1967, but the counties remained part of Bunyoro District. In 1974 Bunyoro was divided into North Bunyoro and South Bunyoro, which were renamed Masindi District
Masindi District
Masindi District is a district in Western Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' of Masindi, the location of the district headquarters. The region of the country in which the district is located is comparatively dry, but is fertile enough to support a...
and Hoima District
Hoima District
Hoima District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal centre, Hoima.-Location:...
, respectively, in 1980. In 1991 Buyaga and Bugangaizi separated from Hoima District
Hoima District
Hoima District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal centre, Hoima.-Location:...
and became Kibaale District.
Population
In 2002 the district had a population of about 405,900 inhabitants, according to the national census. The annual population growth rate of the district was estimated at 3%. It is estimated that the population of the district in 2010 was approximately 514,200. See table below:{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="100%" align="center" | Kibaale District Population Trends
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Year !!Estimated Population
|-
|2002||405,900
|-
|2003||418,100
|-
|2004||430,600
|-
|2005||443,500
|-
|2006||456,800
|-
|2007||470,500
|-
|2008||484,700
|-
|2009||499,200
|-
|2010||514,200
|-
|}
Kibaale District is socially heterogeneous, with more than thirty two (32) registered ethnic groups, but only half of the population are Banyoro, and the remainder are of Ugandan immigrant origin. About 60% of the population are Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
s, 30% belong to the Church of Uganda
Church of Uganda
The Church of the Province of Uganda is a member church of the Anglican Communion. Currently there are 34 dioceses which make up the Church of Uganda, each headed by a bishop....
, and 3% are registered as Muslims. The district, like most of Western Uganda
Western Region, Uganda
Western Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
, is a predominantly rural area, with an average population density of around 145 persons per km². Only about 1% of the inhabitants live in urban settlements. Kibaale District has the highest fertility rate in Uganda (8.2).
Economic activities
Agriculture is the mainstay of the district economy although only 12 percent of the arable landis currently cultivated. The population is mainly engaged in subsistence production of food
crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava
Cassava
Cassava , also called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates...
, millet
Millet
The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one. Their essential similarities are that they are small-seeded grasses grown in difficult...
, beans, bananas and groundnuts. Bananas cover an estimated 14400 hectare, of which 90% are for brewing enguuli, the undistilled precursor of Uganda Waragi.
See also
- KibaaleKibaaleKibaale is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Kibaale District, and the district headquarters are located there...
- Bunyoro sub-regionBunyoro sub-regionBunyoro sub-region is a region in Eastern Uganda that consists of the following districts:* Buliisa District* Hoima District* Kibaale District* Kiryandongo District* Masindi District...
- Bunyoro-Kitara
- Western Region, UgandaWestern Region, UgandaWestern Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
- Districts of UgandaDistricts of UgandaUganda is divided into 111 districts and one city across four administrative regions. Most districts are named after their main commercial and administrative towns....