Butambala District Uganda is an administrative district in the Central Region of Uganda, with its headquarters located in Gombe Town. The district is among the newer administrative units, created to improve governance and bring services closer to the people.
Location
Butambala District is bordered by Gomba District to the west and northwest, Mityana District to the northeast, Mpigi District to the east and south, and Kalungu District to the southwest.
- Capital: Gombe
- Land Area: 405.6 km² (156.6 sq mi)
- Population (2012 Estimate): 99,400
- Coordinates: 00°12′N, 32°06′E
- Time Zone: UTC+3 (EAT)
The district headquarters in Gombe are about 31 km west of Mpigi Town, the largest urban area nearby, and approximately 68 km southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
History
Butambala District was officially created on 1 July 2010 after being split from Mpigi District, alongside neighboring Gomba District. Before attaining district status, the area was historically known as Butambala County, one of the eighteen counties of the Kingdom of Buganda.
The creation of the district was part of Uganda’s decentralization policy aimed at improving service delivery, governance, and community development.
Population
The district has experienced modest population growth over the decades:
- 1991 Census: 74,100
- 2002 Census: 86,800
- 2012 Estimate: 99,400
The steady rise reflects both natural growth and the district’s agricultural productivity, which attracts settlement.
Economic Activity
The economy of Butambala District is primarily driven by subsistence farming and small-scale animal husbandry. Most households rely on agriculture as the main source of livelihood.
Key food crops grown include:
- Beans
- Groundnuts
- Sugar cane
- Bananas
- Matooke
- Maize
- Mangoes
Livestock farming also contributes to household income and nutrition, with families rearing cattle, goats, and poultry.
