Wakiso District
District in Central Uganda, Uganda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wakiso District is a district in the Central Region of Uganda that partly encircles Kampala, Uganda's capital city. Formed in 2000 out of Mpigi district. The district was created after merging the six major counties of Busiro, Kyaddondo, Entebbe Municipality, Nansana Municipality, Kira Municipality and Makindye-Sabagabo Municipality. The town of Wakiso is the site of the district headquarters. Kira, the country's second largest city and suburb of Kampala, is in the district.
Wakiso District | |
|---|---|
District location in Uganda | |
| Coordinates: 00°24′N 32°29′E | |
| Country |  Uganda |
| Region | Central Uganda |
| Capital | Wakiso |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,906.7 km2 (736.2 sq mi) |
| • Land | 1,906.7 km2 (736.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,200 m (3,900 ft) |
| Population (2020 Estimate) | |
• Total | 2,915,200 |
| • Density | 1,528.9/km2 (3,959.9/sq mi) |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| Website | www |
The district was first governed by Eng. Ian Kyeyune who was later succeeded by Dr. Matia Lwanga Bwanika.
Location
Wakiso District lies in the Central Region of the country, bordering Nakaseke District and Luweero District to the north, Mukono District to the east, Kalangala District in Lake Victoria to the south, Mpigi District to the southwest and Mityana District to the northwest.[2] Wakiso, where the district headquarters are located, lies approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in the country.[3] The coordinates of the district are:00 24N, 32 29E.
Demographics
In 1991, the national population census estimated the district population at 562,887. According to the 2002 national census figures, Wakiso District had a population of 907,988, making it the second-most populated district in the country. At that time, 53 percent of the population were children below the age of 18 years and 17 percent of the population were orphans. The national census and household survey of 2014 enumerated 1,997,418 people in the district. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), estimated the total population in the district, as of mid-year 2020 at 2,915,000. UBOS also calculated that the district population increased at an average annual rate of 6.7 percent, between 2014 and 2020.[1]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 562,887 | — |
| 2002 | 907,988 | +61.3% |
| 2014 | 1,997,418 | +120.0% |
| 2020 | 2,915,200 | +45.9% |
| source:[1] | ||
According to the preliminary 2024 Census results, the population is approximately 3.3 million people with women about 51% and males 49% thus making the district almost the dormitory of the Metropolitan areas.
Administrative units
Wakiso District comprises two counties, Kyadondo and Busiro Counties, and four municipalities: Entebbe, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Nansana and Kira. Entebbe City was split off and granted city status in 2020 after the 10th Parliamentary resolution but has never been operationalised. The district is further subdivided into 27 lower administrative units:[4]
- Masulita Subcounty
- Namayumba Subcounty
- Kakiri Town
- Katabi Town
- Kasanje Town
- Kira Municipal Council
- Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council
- Masuliita Town Council
- Mende Subcounty
- Namayumba Subcounty
- Kasangati (includes Gayaza and Kasangati)
- Nansana Municipal Council
- Kyengera Town Council
- Bussi SubCounty
- Wakiso Town Council
- Entebbe Municipal Council
- Kajjansi Town Council
- Busukumu Subcounty
- Ssisa Subcounty
- Gombe Subcounty
- Nabweru Subcounty
- Nangabo Subcounty
- Nsangi Subcounty
- Wakiso Town
- Wakiso Subcounty
The district headquarters are located in Wakiso Town, Wakiso Subcounty approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Kampala on the highway to Hoima.[5] Wakiso District has a total area of 2,704 square kilometres (1,044 mi2).
District leadership
The leadership is entrusted in the District Executive Council, composed of:
- District Chairman - Dr. Matia Lwanga Bwanika
- District Vice Chairman - Betinah Nantege
- District Secretary for Finance -
- District Secretary for Production & Natural Resources
- District Secretary for Works & Technical Services
- District secretary Gender
- Resident District Commissioner - Justine Mbabazi
- Deputy Resident District Commissioner
Tourist attractions
The tourist attractions in the district include:
- Buganda Cultural Sites and Kabaka's Palaces
- Old Entebbe Town
- Entebbe Botanical Gardens[6]
- Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) - Entebbe[7]
- Entebbe International Airport
- State House - Entebbe (the Official Residence of the President of Uganda)
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria - Sanctuary for chimpanzees
- Bulago Resort Island
- Lake Victoria - the largest lake in Africa and the second largest fresh-water lake in the world[8]
- Uganda Martyrs Shrine Basilica - Namugongo
- Mandela National Stadium - Namboole
- Entebbe International Airport
- Kasubi Tombs
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- State House in Entebbe
- The Lake Victoria
Economic activity
- Fishing
- Transport and Communication
- Poultry
- Cattle Raring
- Wholesale and Retail sales