Kasese Municipality | |
|---|---|
 A view of Kasese | |
  Kasese Municipality Location in Uganda | |
| Coordinates:0°11′12″N30°05′17″E / 0.18667°N 30.08806°E /0.18667; 30.08806 | |
| Country |  Uganda |
| Region | Western Region |
| District | Kasese District |
| City status | 1 July 2023[1] |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Council |
| • City Mayor | Chance Kahindo[2] |
| • Member of Parliament | Kambale Ferigo (Kasese Municipality)[3] |
| Elevation | 910 m (2,990 ft) |
| Population (2014 Census[4]) | |
• Total | 101,057 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| Website | www |
Kasese is a municipality in theWestern Region ofUganda. It is the main urban, commercial, and administrative centre ofKasese District. Kasese serves as the capital of theRwenzururu, a cultural institution and subnational kingdom.[5] The city is located in theAlbertine Rift at the base of theRwenzori Mountains and is a gateway toQueen Elizabeth National Park.
Kasese began as a small trading post in the early 20th century. Its growth was significantly stimulated in the 1950s with two major developments: the establishment of theKilembe Mines for copper and cobalt extraction, and the construction of the western extension of theUganda Railway to the area, creating a transport hub.[6] The town was planned and built to support the mining industry, which attracted a large workforce and spurred commercial activity.
During the mid-20th century, Kasese became the epicentre of theRwenzururu movement, a political and armed struggle by theBakonzo andAmba people seeking secession from theTooro Kingdom. The town and surrounding district were the heartland of the self-declared Rwenzururu Kingdom led byIsaya Mukirania.[7]
Kasese was granted township status and later became a municipality.
Kasese is situated at the western end of the Uganda-Congo border, just north ofLake George and south of theRwenzori Mountains. The city's coordinates are 0°11'12.0"N, 30°05'17.0"E (Latitude: 0.186667; Longitude: 30.088050).
It is approximately 360 kilometres (224 mi) by road, west ofKampala, Uganda's capital. The city's location makes it a strategic hub for trade with the easternDemocratic Republic of the Congo, with the border town ofMpondwe located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) to the south-west.
| Climate data for {{{location}}} | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.6 (87.1) | 31.1 (88.0) | 30.8 (87.4) | 29.8 (85.6) | 29.3 (84.7) | 29.6 (85.3) | 29.4 (84.9) | 29.6 (85.3) | 29.8 (85.6) | 29.3 (84.7) | 28.7 (83.7) | 29.0 (84.2) | 29.8 (85.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 16.3 (61.3) | 17.0 (62.6) | 17.4 (63.3) | 17.8 (64.0) | 17.4 (63.3) | 16.7 (62.1) | 16.4 (61.5) | 16.9 (62.4) | 16.7 (62.1) | 16.5 (61.7) | 16.8 (62.2) | 15.7 (60.3) | 16.8 (62.2) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 27.9 (1.10) | 37.8 (1.49) | 83.9 (3.30) | 130.1 (5.12) | 100.2 (3.94) | 45.8 (1.80) | 36.7 (1.44) | 67.5 (2.66) | 87.9 (3.46) | 115.7 (4.56) | 104.2 (4.10) | 62.3 (2.45) | 900 (35.42) |
| Source:World Meteorological Organization[8] | |||||||||||||
Due to its location at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese is highly susceptible to severe flooding. The Nyamwamba River, which flows down from the mountains and through the city, frequently bursts its banks during heavy rainy seasons. This is caused by a combination of factors, including the steep terrain, deforestation, and the effects ofclimate change on the mountain's glaciers.[9] Major floods, such as those in 2013, 2020, and 2022, have caused widespread destruction, displacing thousands of residents, destroying infrastructure like bridges and buildings, and resulting in loss of life.[10]
According to the 2014 national census, the population of Kasese Municipality was 101,057.[4] TheUganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimated the mid-year population in 2020 to be approximately 115,400.[11] The population is ethnically diverse due to historical labour migration for the mines, but the majority are of theBakonzo ethnic group.
The economy of Kasese municipality is driven by several key sectors:
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