| Manafwa District | |
|---|---|
| — District — | |
| District location in Uganda | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Uganda |
| Region | Eastern Uganda |
| Sub-region | Bugisu sub-region |
| Capital | Manafwa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 451 km2 (174.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2010 Estimate) | |
| • Total | 153,000 |
| • Density | 339.2/km2 (878.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
| Website | Homepage |
Manafwa District is a district in the Eastern Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Manafwa, where the district headquarters are located.
Contents |
Manafwa District is bordered by Bududa District to the north, the Republic of Kenya to the east and south, Tororo District to the southwest and Mbale District to the west.[1] The district headquarters at Manafwa are located approximately 26 kilometres (16 mi), by road, southeast of Mbale, the largest city of in the sub-region.[2] The coordinates of the district are: 00 54N, 34 20E.
The total surface area of the district is estimated at 451 square kilometres (174 sq mi).[3] The district was created in 1999 and was part of Mbale District, together with Sironko District, before 1999. In 2006, the northern part of Manafwa District was carved off to form Bududa District.
The national census of 2002 estimated the population of the district at about 264,000 inhabitants. In 2006, Bududa District was peeled off to form a separate district, taking an estimated 146,000 inhabitants with it. In 2010 the estimated population of Manafwa District was approximately 153,000.
Manafwa District has three major climatic zones:
Close to the border with Kenya in the east and close to the border with Tororo District in the south. The main natural vegetation is savannah grassland.
In the center of the district. The natural vegetation is tropical rain forest.
To the west and north in the district. The natural vegetation is alpine mountain vegetation. A significant portion of this part of the district is part of Mount Elgon National Park, a protected natural wildlife reserve.[4]
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the district. The fertile volcanic soils and the abundant rainfall (average 1,500mm/year), ensure ample yields of both cash and food crops. Some of the crops grown include:
The farm produce finds market within the district as well as in the city of Mbale, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) to the west of the district, on the western slopes of Mt. Elgon.[5]
|
||||||||||||||