Adjumani District is located in Northern Uganda, within the West Nile sub-region. It is named after its largest town, Adjumani, which also serves as the district headquarters.
Location
The district shares borders with Moyo District to the north, South Sudan to the northeast, Amuru District to the east and south, Arua District to the southwest, and Yumbe District to the northwest.
Adjumani town, the administrative and commercial hub, is situated about 125 km northeast of Arua and 436 km northwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. The district lies along the southern bank of the White Nile, close to the border with South Sudan.
Coordinates: 03°23′N, 31°47′E
Overview
Adjumani District was established on 17 May 1997, following the division of Moyo District. The eastern portion became Adjumani, while the western section remained as Moyo District.
The district covers a total area of 3,030.9 km² and is part of the wider West Nile sub-region. Since its creation, Adjumani has played a critical role as a host for refugee settlements, including Baratuku, Mungula II, and Maaji, which accommodate large numbers of displaced people from South Sudan. By 2018, the district was home to over 236,000 refugees, making it one of Uganda’s key humanitarian centers.
Population
Adjumani’s population has grown rapidly over the last three decades:
- 1991 Census: ~96,300
- 2002 Census: ~202,300 (49.6% male, 50.4% female)
- 2012 Estimate: ~375,800
- 2019 Estimate: ~234,300 (adjusted growth data)
The district experienced one of the highest growth rates in Uganda at around 6.5% annually (2002–2012), largely influenced by refugee inflows and high local fertility rates.
Economy
Agriculture is the backbone of Adjumani District’s economy. Most households practice subsistence farming, with crops grown both for home consumption and local markets.
Key crops include:
- Beans
- Maize
- Millet
- Simsim (sesame)
- Cassava
- Matooke (plantain)
- Groundnuts
- Tobacco
- Mangoes
- Avocado
- Flowers
Livestock farming and small-scale trade also contribute to the district’s economy.
Prominent People from Adjumani
Several influential Ugandans hail from Adjumani District, including:
- Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali – Third Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Moyo County.
- Prof. Christine Dranzoa – Vice Chancellor of Muni University.
- Jessica Eriyo – Former Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community.
- Dr. Christine Ondoa – Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission.
