Buikwe District | |
Settlement Type: | District |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Uganda |
Subdivision Type1: | Region |
Subdivision Name1: | Central Uganda |
Seat Type: | Capital |
Seat: | Buikwe |
Area Land Km2: | 1244.7 |
Population As Of: | 2012 Estimate |
Population Total: | 429600 |
Population Density Km2: | 345.1 |
Timezone: | EAT |
Utc Offset: | +3 |
Coordinates: | 0.35°N 35°W |
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.
Buikwe District is bordered by Kayunga District 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 west. The district headquarters at Buikwe are located approximately 60km (40miles), by road, east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the country's largest city.[1] This location is approximately 14km (09miles), by road, southeast of Lugazi, the nearest large town.[2] The coordinates of the district are:00 21N, 33 02E.
Buikwe District was created by an Act of Parliament and it commenced operations on 1 July 2009. Prior to that, it was part of Mukono District.[3]
The 1991 national population census estimated the district population at about 250,500. The national census in 2002 estimated the population of Buikwe District at approximately 329,900. In 2012, the population of the district was estimated at 429,600.[4]
See main article: Mabira forest. 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 306km2. It is the biggest forest reserve in central Uganda and one of the few surviving rainforests remaining in Uganda.
Mabira is well known for Ecotourism which started 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.
See main article: white Nile. The Nile is the world's second-longest river, measuring an estimated 4000miles 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 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.