Mayuge is a district in eastern Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Mayuge.

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Location

Mayuge is bordered by Iganga District to the north, Bugiri District to the northeast and east, the Republic of Tanzania to the south, Mukono District to the southwest and Jinja District to the west. The coordinates of the district are:00 20N, 33 30E. The district headquarters are located at Mayuge, approximately 38 kilometres (24 mi), by road, east of Jinja, Uganda's sixth largest city.

Overview

Prior to 2000, Mayuge was known as Bunya County and was part of Iganga District. Present day Mayuge District, Iganga District, Kamuli District, Jinja District, Kaliro District and Bugiri District, constitute the Busoga Kingdom;

7,660.4 square kilometres (2,957.7 sq mi) of the district surface area is open water of Lake Victoria. It is estimated that this represents 77% of the total surface area in the district. Another 10% of the district is protected national forest reserve.

The district has many Islands which are currently occupied by permanent and migratory fishermen. These include the Islands of Seguti, Dagusi, Vumba, Kaza, Nambuga and Simu. The Islands are all easily accessible by motor boat or canoe.

Population

The 2002 national census estimated the population of the district to be 326,567 people, of whom 167,087 (51.2%) were female and 159,480 (48.8%) were male. Using those statistics, it is estimated that the population of the district in 2009 is approximately 396,210.

Economic activities

Due to fertile soils and favorable climate, Mayuge District has great agricultural potential. However, the fact that open water and natural forest reserves occupy an estimated 87% of the surface area of the district, significant pressure has been exerted on the natural environment from the increasing population numbers. Most of the agriculture in the district is on the subsistence level. The crops grown include:

•Maize

•Cassava

•Groundnuts

•Cocoa

•Cotton

•Coffee

•Beans

•Sweet potatos

•Millet

•Simsim

•Sunflower

•Tomatos

•Passion fruit

•Onions

•Cabbage

Fishing is another high-value activity practiced in the district. This activity is the largest income earner in the district, accounting for 63% and 52% of the district revenue in 2002 and 2003 respectively. In 2004, an estimated 2,600 people were engaged in commercial fishing in Mayuge District.

The fish caught from Lake Victoria include:

•Nile Perch

•Tilapia

•Rargentae (Mukene)

•Clarias (Cat fish)

•Protopterus (Lung fish)

In recent times, bee keeping for production of honey, is becoming an accepted and practiced method of earning an income in the district.

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