Mbale District

Mbale District
District

District location in Uganda
Coordinates: 00°57′N 34°20′E / 0.950°N 34.333°E / 0.950; 34.333Coordinates: 00°57′N 34°20′E / 0.950°N 34.333°E / 0.950; 34.333
Country  Uganda
Region Eastern Uganda
Sub-region Bugisu sub-region
Capital Mbale
Area
 • Land 518.8 km2 (200.3 sq mi)
Population (2012 Estimate)
 • Total 441,300
 • Density 850.6/km2 (2,203/sq mi)
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
Website www.mbale.go.ug

Mbale District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It is named after the largest city in the district, Mbale, which also serves as the main administrative and commercial center in the sub-region.

Location

Mbale District is bordered by Sironko District to the north, Bududa District to the northeast, Manafwa District to the southeast, Tororo District to the south, Butaleja District to the southwest and Budaka District to the west. Pallisa District and Kumi District lie to the northwest of Mbale District. Mbale, the largest town in the district and the location of the district headquarters, is located approximately 245 kilometres (152 mi), by road, northeast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and the largest city in that country.[1] The coordinates of the district are:00 57N, 34 20E. It has an area of 518.8 square kilometres (200.3 sq mi). The districts of Bududa, Manafwa and Sironko were part of Mbale District before they were split off as independent districts of their own.

Population

The national census of 1991 estimated the district population at about 240,900. Eleven years later, in 2002, the national census that year put the population in the district at 332,600, with an annual population growth rate of 2.5%. In 2012, the mid-year population of Mbale District was estimated at 441,300.[2] A new national population census is planned for August 2014.[3] The district population is 92% rural. The main ethnic group in the district are the Bamasaba or Bagisu. The main language spoken in the district is Lugisu also known as Lumasaba.

Economic activity

The primary economic activity in the district is agriculture. Some of the main crops are coffee, beans, matooke, maize, onions, potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

Education

As of May 2014 there are several university campuses in Mbale, including the following:

Other institutions of leaning in town, include Mbale Secondary School, a mixed day middle and high school (grades 8 to 13), with about 4,000 students. The high school graduates about 250 students in mathematics and sciences, making it one of major science schools in Eastern Uganda. Bungokho Rural Development Centre (BRDC), located 3 miles (4.8 km), by road, outside of the town center, offers vocational training.

Twinning

Mbale was formally linked with the town Pontypridd, Wales through local and regional twinning ceremonies in 2005. The link was intended to associate professionals and organizations in Pontypridd with their counterparts in Africa, under the auspices of charity Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust (PONT).[4]

Prominent people from Mbale

Some of the people rom Mbale District are prominent, including the following:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Road Distance Between Kampala And Mbale With Map". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Estimated Population of Mbale In 1991, 2002 & 2012". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  3. ↑ Baguma, Raymond (12 September 2013). "National Population Census for 2014". New Vision. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Background About Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust". Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust (PONT). Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  5. ↑ Vision, Reporters (3 March 2011). "Mayoral Race: Winners, Losers". New Vision. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
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