Kasese District


Kasese District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, the town of Kasese is the site of the district headquarters.

Location

Kasese District is located along the equator. It is bordered by Kabarole District to the north, Kamwenge District to the east, Rubirizi District to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The district headquarters at Kasese are located approximately, by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.

Overview

The district has a total land area of, of which is reserved for Queen Elizabeth National Park and for Rwenzori Mountains National Park, leaving for human habitation and economic utilization. Kasese District is part of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, which is coterminal with the Rwenzururu sub-region, home to an estimated 750,000 inhabitants in 2002, according to the national census conducted that year. The sub region consists of Bundibugyo District, Ntoroko District, and Kasese District.

Population

In 1991, the district population was estimated at about 343,600. The 2002 national census put the population of the district at approximately 523,000. It is estimated that in 2012, the population of the district was approximately 747,800.

Ethnicities

Kasese is a multi-ethnic district with many people of different ethnic backgrounds. The main languages and ethnic groups that dominate the area are Rutooro and Rukonjo, the languages of the Batooro and the Bakonjo people respectively. However, there are other ethnic groups in the district who include the Banyankole, the Basongora the Bakiga and the Baganda. There is also common usage of English and Swahili.

Economic activities

Kasese district is mainly agricultural with over 85 percent of the people being peasant farmers who depend on subsistence farming for their livelihood. It has two rainy seasons that come between March to May and August to November. Temperatures normally range between 23 °C and 30 °C. Crops grown include:
Most of the agricultural produce is either sold locally or transported for sale in Kampala and to other cities and towns in Uganda. Fish farming is slowly taking root in the district and demand for the fish is high both locally and in neighboring countries. Livestock kept in the district includes: Cattle, goats, pigs and poultry. Fishing also occurs on Lake George and on smaller crater lakes in the district. There are two main landing sites on the shores of Lake George, Mahyoro and Kayinja.
The district's main border crossing is Mpondwe, where some 25,000 people cross to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo every day.