Kitgum District

Kitgum District is a district in Northern Uganda. It is named after its 'chief town' of Kitgum, where the district headquarters is located. It has suffered many deaths and social disruption resulting from the 20-year civil war within the region during the late 20th century. The government moved tens of thousands of residents were moved to internally displaced persons camps for their protection, where they were subject to raids by the rebels and also harsh conditions, including disease.

Kitgum District
District
District location in Uganda
Coordinates: 03°13′N 32°47′E
Country Uganda
RegionNorthern Uganda
Sub-regionAcholi sub-region
CapitalKitgum
Area
 • Total3,960 km2 (1,530 sq mi)
Population
 (2012 Estimate)
 • Total247,800
 • Density62.6/km2 (162/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
Websitewww.kitgum.go.ug

Location

Kitgum District is bordered by South Sudan to the north, Kaabong District to the east, Kotido District to the southeast, Agago District to the south, Pader District to the southwest and Lamwo District to the northwest.[1] Kitgum, the largest town in the district, is located approximately 108 kilometres (67 mi), by road, northeast of Gulu, the largest city in the sub-region.[2] This location lies approximately 460 kilometres (290 mi), by road, north of Uganda's capital, Kampala.[3]

Overview

The district is composed of one county: Chua County. In 2010, Lamwo County was separated from Kitgum District to form Lamwo District. Kitgum District is a constituent part of Acholiland, home to an estimated 1.1 million Acholi, according to the 2002 national census.

Population

In 1991, the Ugandan national population census estimated the district population at about 104,600. According to the national census of 2002, Kitgum District had a population of about 167,000, of whom 51.3% were females and 48.7% were males. The annual population growth rate of the district, between 2002 and 2012, was calculated at 4.1%. It is estimated that the population of the district in 2012, was approximately 247,800.[4]

Economic activities

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the district. Crops grown include the following:[5]

Cattle ranching is practiced in some areas, although not widely.

Hepatitis epidemic

During late 2007 and early 2008, as many of the residents of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps started to return to their home areas following peace talks, an outbreak of Hepatitis E engulfed the community, and soon spread to the entire district. As of August 2008, a total of 8,157 cases had been identified; 62% were female, while 38% were male. The case fatality ratio was 1.52%. Seventy two percent (72%) of the fatalities were female. The epidemic has been traced to unsanitary sources of drinking water.[6][7] By July 2009, the number of infected persons had increased to 10,243, of whom 162 died; a case fatality ratio of 1.58%.[8]

Notable people

Plus-size model Sunday Omony was born in Kitgum District.[9]

See also

References
  1. Uganda District Map
  2. "Distance Between Gulu And Kitgum With Map". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  3. "Map Showing Kampala And Kitgum, With Distance Marker". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  4. "Estimated Population of Kitgum District In 1991, 2002 & 2012". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  5. "Economic Activities In Kitgum District". Uganda Travel Guide. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  6. Uganda Red Cross, . (15 September 2008). "Uganda: Weekly Up Date Report Hepatitis E Epidemic In Kitgum District 8-15 September 2008". Reliefweb.int. Retrieved 26 May 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. URN, Reporter (18 March 2009). "Hepatitis E Epidemic Continues to Kill People in Northern Uganda". Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  8. "Uganda: Hepatitis E Deaths, Infections Increase". Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  9. Ninsiima, Racheal (1 March 2012). "Omony, Successful Plus-Size Model". The Observer (Uganda). Retrieved 26 May 2014.
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