Buikwe District
Encyclopedia
Buikwe District is a district
in the Central Region
of Uganda
. It is named after its 'chief town', Buikwe
, where the district headquarters are located.
to the north, Jinja District
to the east, Buvuma District
to the southeast, the Republic of Tanzania to the south and Mukono District
to the east. The district headquarters at Buikwe
are located approximately 60 kilometres (37.3 mi), by road, east of Kampala
, the capital of Uganda
and the country's largest city.
This location is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), by road, southeast of Lugazi
, the nearest large town. The coordinates of the district are:00 21N, 33 02E.
.
Mabira Forest
is located in the tropics north of the shoreline of Lake Victoria
, immediately to the west of the River Nile. Mabira covers an area of 306 square kilometre. It is the biggest forest reserve in central Uganda
and its one of the few surviving rain forests remaining in Uganda.
Mabira is well known for Ecotourism
which started way back in the early 1980s. The forest harbors in excess of 300 species of birds, many of which are rare; including the Pied Hornbill, Superb Sunbird, Grey Parrot, Crowned Eagle, Black-billed Turacos and the endangered Nahan's Frankolin. There are over 300 plant species, some of which are of medicinal value.
Among the services offered to tourists are guided forest walks, camping sites, picnic sites and environmental education and entertainment with local drama groups. There is a network of trails to facilitate the exploration of the forest.
River Nile
The Nile
is the world's second-longest river, measuring an estimated 4000 miles (6,437.4 km) in length. It starts its journey on the outskirts of Jinja
and traverses Uganda
, Southern Sudan, Sudan
and Egypt
to empty into the Mediterranean Sea
at Alexandria
. The river is of great geographical and historical importance locally and internationally.
In Uganda, the Nile has cultural importance as well as economic significance. Many communities along its shores derive their livelihood from fishing its waters. At its point of origin, Uganda has built three hydroelectric dams which provide electricity to many citizens in Uganda and neighboring countries. Uganda plans three (3) other dams further upstream later in the present decade. In Sudan and Egypt, the river is considered to be the 'source of life' as its waters are used for irrigation and the support of agriculture for multitudes of people living along the river since time immemorial.
The Source of the Nile
River Nile forms the border between Njeru
in Buikwe District on the west and Jinja, Uganda
in Jinja District
on the east. At this point, the river flows from Lake Victoria
to begin its three-months journey to the Mediterranean Sea
. This point, viewed from Njeru, offers beautiful scenery for tourists and holidaymakers. The 32 metres (105 ft) deep waterfalls that Bishop Hannington Speke saw in 1862 and named "Ripon Falls" were submerged when construction on Nalubaale Dam
began in 1947. The dam was completed in 1954.
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 the Central Region
Central Region, Uganda
Central Region is a region of Uganda. It is coterminous with the Kingdom of Buganda, one of the ancient African monarchies that are constitutionally recognised in Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
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...
. It is named after its 'chief town', Buikwe
Buikwe
Buikwe, sometimes spelled as Buyikwe, is a town in Buikwe District, Uganda. It is the administrative center of the district, and the location of the district headquarters. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
, where the district headquarters are located.
Location
Buikwe District is bordered by Kayunga DistrictKayunga District
Kayunga District is a district in Central Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kayunga.-Location:Kayunga District is bordered by Amolatar District to the north, Buyende District to the northeast, Kamuli District to the east, Jinja District to the southeast,...
to the north, Jinja District
Jinja District
Jinja District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal and commercial center, Jinja.-Location:...
to the east, Buvuma District
Buvuma District
Buvuma District is a district in Central Uganda. The district is coterminous with the Buvuma Islands archipelago in Lake Victoria and does not have territory on mainland Uganda.-Location:...
to the southeast, the Republic of Tanzania to the south and Mukono District
Mukono District
Mukono District is a district in Central Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' - Mukono.-Location:Mukono District is bordered by Kayunga District to the north, Buikwe District to the east, the Republic of Tanzania to the south, Kalangala District to the...
to the east. The district headquarters at Buikwe
Buikwe
Buikwe, sometimes spelled as Buyikwe, is a town in Buikwe District, Uganda. It is the administrative center of the district, and the location of the district headquarters. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
are located approximately 60 kilometres (37.3 mi), by road, east 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...
, the capital 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 the country's largest city.
This location is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), by road, southeast of Lugazi
Lugazi
Lugazi is a town in Buikwe District, in Central Uganda. The town is also called Kawolo, and the two names are interchangeably used by the local inhabitants.-Location:...
, the nearest large town. The coordinates of the district are:00 21N, 33 02E.
Overview
Buikwe District was created by Act of Parliament and it commenced operations on 1 July 2009. Prior to that, it was part of Mukono DistrictMukono District
Mukono District is a district in Central Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' - Mukono.-Location:Mukono District is bordered by Kayunga District to the north, Buikwe District to the east, the Republic of Tanzania to the south, Kalangala District to the...
.
Population
The national census in 2002 estimated the population of Buikwe District at approximately 329,900. The exact population of the district, as of December 2010, is unknown.Tourist Attractions
Mabira Forest ReserveMabira Forest
Mabira Forest
The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about in Uganda, located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932...
is located in the tropics north of the shoreline of Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
, immediately to the west of the River Nile. Mabira covers an area of 306 square kilometre. It is the biggest forest reserve in central 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 its one of the few surviving rain forests remaining in Uganda.
Mabira is well known for Ecotourism
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
which started way back in the early 1980s. The forest harbors in excess of 300 species of birds, many of which are rare; including the Pied Hornbill, Superb Sunbird, Grey Parrot, Crowned Eagle, Black-billed Turacos and the endangered Nahan's Frankolin. There are over 300 plant species, some of which are of medicinal value.
Among the services offered to tourists are guided forest walks, camping sites, picnic sites and environmental education and entertainment with local drama groups. There is a network of trails to facilitate the exploration of the forest.
River Nile
The Nile
Nile
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in North Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. It is long. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major...
is the world's second-longest river, measuring an estimated 4000 miles (6,437.4 km) in length. It starts its journey on the outskirts of Jinja
Jinja, Uganda
Jinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
and traverses 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...
, Southern Sudan, Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to empty into the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
at Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
. The river is of great geographical and historical importance locally and internationally.
In Uganda, the Nile has cultural importance as well as economic significance. Many communities along its shores derive their livelihood from fishing its waters. At its point of origin, Uganda has built three hydroelectric dams which provide electricity to many citizens in Uganda and neighboring countries. Uganda plans three (3) other dams further upstream later in the present decade. In Sudan and Egypt, the river is considered to be the 'source of life' as its waters are used for irrigation and the support of agriculture for multitudes of people living along the river since time immemorial.
The Source of the Nile
River Nile forms the border between Njeru
Njeru
Njeru is a town in Buikwe District, Central Uganda. It is the largest town in the district.-Location:Njeru is located approximately northeast of Buikwe, where the district headquarters are located. This location is about west of downtown Jinja...
in Buikwe District on the west and Jinja, Uganda
Jinja, Uganda
Jinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
in Jinja District
Jinja District
Jinja District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal and commercial center, Jinja.-Location:...
on the east. At this point, the river flows from Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
to begin its three-months journey to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. This point, viewed from Njeru, offers beautiful scenery for tourists and holidaymakers. The 32 metres (105 ft) deep waterfalls that Bishop Hannington Speke saw in 1862 and named "Ripon Falls" were submerged when construction on Nalubaale Dam
Nalubaale Power Station
Nalubaale Power Station, often known by its old name, Owen Falls Dam, is a hydroelectric power station across the White Nile near to its source at Lake Victoria in Uganda...
began in 1947. The dam was completed in 1954.
See also
- BuikweBuikweBuikwe, sometimes spelled as Buyikwe, is a town in Buikwe District, Uganda. It is the administrative center of the district, and the location of the district headquarters. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
- Central RegionCentral Region, UgandaCentral Region is a region of Uganda. It is coterminous with the Kingdom of Buganda, one of the ancient African monarchies that are constitutionally recognised in 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....
- River Nile
- Lake VictoriaLake VictoriaLake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
- River Sezibwa