Masaka is a district in central Uganda. Its main town is Masaka Town whose population was 61,300 according to the 2002.In 2008, the population of Masaka was estimated at 71,700.

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Location

The district is bordered by Sembabule District in the northwest, Mpigi District in the north, Rakai District in the west and south and Kalangala District in the east.

The district headquarters is located 130 kilometres (81 mi) southwest of Kampala on the highway to Mbarara. The average altitude of the district is 1,115 metres (3,660 ft) above sea level.

Population

The 2002 national census estimated the population of Masaka at 767,759, with an annual population growth rate of 3.0%.

With those statistics, it is estimated that in 2009, the population of the district is approximately 944,248.

Culture and Ethnic composition

The district has a rich cultural heritage.

It has also a diversity of ethnicities. The majority of the people are Baganda followed by the Banyankole, Banyarwanda and Banyoro. But most of the tribes practice Buganda culture. The main language spoken is Luganda.Click here for more information about Baganda culture

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN MASAKA UGANDA

The following are the key tourist attractions of the district:1. Lake Nabugabo Holiday and Conference Centre

The centre is located at the shores of Lake Nabugabo in Masaka district, about 21 kms from Masaka town.

The estate was originally sponsored by missionaries and later handed over to the Church of Uganda for use as a holiday resort and conference centre.

There are a number of activities carried out and these include; canoeing, Sport Fishing and recreation on the sand beaches, Bird watching, swimming and camping. Besides camping they also have holiday resort accommodation facilities.

The resort has enormous potential for development of modern water sports.

2. Sand Beach Nabugabo

This is located about 23 kilometers from Masaka town, at the shores of Lake Nabugabo.

It is popular for annual canoeing competitions. It is also popular for motor rallying events, fishing, camping, beautiful bandas/cottages.

Other activities include recreational activities like beach volleyball and beach football.

It is an excellent place for family outings. Bird watching is one of the activities that were recently launched and this is done either around the lake area on the side of the beach.

One can also take a canoe to an Island in the lake or on the other side of the lake across the beach.

The Sand Beach, like Lake Nabugabo Resort, also offers chance for development of water sports on Lake Nabugabo.

3. Agro-Tourism

This activity has significant potential in the District, as a tourist attraction. Its market ranges from domestic to international tourism.

The products include experiences regarding improved banana growing methods, cattle zero-grazing and other forms of sustainable agriculture.

4. Community Tourism

Community tourism opportunities available in Masaka District include community trail walks, market visits and short-stays with communities.

The gentle hilly terrain coupled with green cover offer good opportunity for nature walk.

5. Cultural Performances

The district is home to rich Ganda cultural performances. Already, many organised groups commercially conduct performances.

Cultural performances, including story telling, may be developed to enhance the menu of the over-night tourist package.

6. Bukakata Landing Site

This area is the tourist gateway to the tourist hub of Kalangala and areas of Lake Victoria.

Development of tourist related service infrastructure such as crafts shops and lodges would enhance tourism activity within Masaka District.

7. Crafts and Souvenirs Industry

There were no dedicated crafts/souvenirs shops found in Masaka district during the Survey.

However, Masaka district is endowed with a number of wetlands whose materials can be utilised for production of crafts for domestic market and export.

Some tree plants, commonly grown in the district, such as the banana and back-cloth trees, provide raw materials that can be used by the crafts industry.

Training is required in simple crafts that are convenient to carry as souvenirs to build capacity for the Crafts and Souvenirs Industry.

Meetings with the district officials indicated plans to provide for a crafts and souvenirs shopping centre at the Kampala – Masaka - Mbarara junction.

8. Hotel and Catering Industry

The sector had 55 accommodation establishments with a total capacity of 953 beds.

The sector employed 267 people.The main accommodation establishments in the district were:

Hotel Lanova, Lastone Hotel, Nabugabo Holiday/Conference Resort and Nabugabo Sand Beach.

Economic Activities

The major economic activities in Masaka District include

•Food crop agriculture (bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes),

•Cash crop agriculture (coffee and cotton),

•Animal Ranching (cattle, goats, and chicken)

•Fishing on Lake Victoria

•Fish farming

•Small scale industry:

oCoffee processing

oManufacture of soft drinks

oMetal fabrication/welding

oCotton ginning

•Retail trade in food products and manufactured goods.

The main staples are millet and Matooke.

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