Amuria District


Amuria District is a district in the Eastern Region of Uganda. The town of Amuria is the site of the district headquarters.

Location

Amuria District is bordered by Otuke District to the north, Napak District to the northeast, Katakwi District to the east, Soroti District to the south, Kaberamaido District to the southwest, and Alebtong District to the west. The town of Amuria is located approximately, by road, north of Soroti, the largest town in the sub-region.

Overview

The district is composed of three counties: Amuria, Kapelebyong County|Kapelebyong]and orungo county/orungo.

Population

In 1991, the national population census estimated the population of the district at 69,400. The national census in 2002 estimated the population at 180,000. In 2012, the population was estimated at 406,400.

Economic activities

The economy of Amuria District is based on two main activities: subsistence agriculture and animal husbandry. Over 90 percent of the population engage in either or both activities.

Prominent person

Adio Winfred, hailing from Amuria district, belonging to Uganda Peoples Congress Political Party. She is a former Constituent Assembly member, part of the legislators who helped Uganda enact the Uganda 1995 Constitution, which among other enshrines the Bill of Rights, the ownership of land in Uganda to belong to the citizens of Uganda and is held in four tenure systems, namely: a. Customary Tenure, b. Freehold tenure, c. Mailo Tenure and lastly c. Leasehold.
She was a Commissioner at the Amnesty Commission of Uganda. Currently she is Coordinator for Mothers of Hope at the Iteso Cultural Union.
Hon. Musa Ecweru, he is an MP for the NRM Political party and a Minister for State for Disaster Preparedness under the Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda's government.
Hon. Ocen Julius, is from Obalanga Sub County, Kapelebyong County. He is a strong member of UPC political party, currently an MP for Kapelebyong County at the National Parliament as an Independent MP. He was a District Councilor at Katakwi, before Amuria was curved out as a district from Katakwi. Hon. Ocen Julius served as District Chairman for Amuria district under UPC ticket.
He is famed to have, among others worked and advocated for peaceful coexistance between Iteso and Karimojong. He is a defender of the rights of war and cattle rustling victims in Teso sub region. He is founding Chairman for both the Teso War Victims and Cattle Rustling Debt Claimants Association and the sister organisation of war victims called Teso WV Multipurpose Cooperative Union. TEWCCA took government of Uganda to Courts of Law to demand for compensation and reparation for war and cattle rustling victims as part of protracted human rights defence. A recent High Court ruling at SOROTI district was made in favour of the Teso War Victims.