What Is Kasese District Known For?
Kasese District in the foothills of the grand Rwenzori Mountains is one of the most interesting regions in Uganda. It lies in the west of the country and is a land of spectacular scenery, rich culture and enormous biodiversity. Not only is Kasese a gateway to some of the most famous natural sites in Uganda, but it is also a district with a dynamic economy and strong communities. Kasese is a unique combination of both the powers of nature and the work of man: the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains and the vast savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park are all part of the same kingdom.
Geography and Location
Kasese District is located along the equator and is geographically bounded by the Democratic Republic of Congo to located west, Kabarole District to located north, Rubirizi to located south, and Kamwenge to located east. Kasese occupies a total area of some 2,724 square kilometres, and it is a diverse land with mountains, forests, rivers, and plains.
The Rwenzori Mountains, or the Mountains of the Moon, are the most emblematic geographical feature in the district. These are the tallest mountains in Uganda, and are topped by Margherita Peak, which is 5,109 meters above sea level; this is the third-tallest mountain in Africa. It also houses portions of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is among the best tourist sites in Uganda.
History and Formation
In 1974, Kasese District was split out of Toro District. Traditionally, it belongs to the Rwenzururu region, which has its own identity within the cultural areas of Uganda. There have been political and cultural battles in the region, the most notable of them being the Rwenzururu movement that demanded that the Bakonzo and the Baamba people who inhabit the Rwenzori Mountains should not be marginalised. This resulted in the eventual cultural status of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Kingdom, which was officially restored in 2009, with King Charles Wesley Mumbere as its monarch.
Kasese has had its share of wars, especially between cultural and state institutions. Nevertheless, the district has not fallen prey to these hardships, but instead it has steadied and is moving forward both socially and economically.
People and Culture
According to a recent estimate, Kasese has a population of more than 800,000 individuals. Most of the ethnic groups are Bakonzo, Baamba, and Banyabindi, but there are also Banyarwanda, Baganda, and others.
Bakonzo are the largest ethnic collective, and they are deeply attached to the Rwenzori Mountains. They value nature, ancient worship and unity in their community. Old music, dance, and narration are still part of everyday life. The multi-ethnic composition of the district has led to a rich cultural mosaic that is still developing as the modern influences collide with the traditional ones.
Kasese has predominant Christianity and Islam, yet the rural areas still practice traditional beliefs.
Economic Activities
Agriculture
Kasese is an agricultural country. The district’s fertile soils and favourable climate allow for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. Coffee, cotton, bananas (matooke), cassava, maize and beans are major crops. Even the production of vegetables and fruits is increasing.
Another important economic activity is livestock farming. A large number of families raise cattle, goats, pigs, and birds as a source of subsistence and income. In the hilly regions, farmers engage in terrace farming so as to cope with the hilly slopes.
Mining and Industry
Kasese is blessed with precious minerals. Copper mining, particularly around the Kilembe Mines, is historical in the district. Mining activities were abandoned in the 1980s because of economic and environmental reasons, but attempts to rejuvenate them have been made. Other mineral resources found in the area include cobalt, limestone and salt (mostly around Lake Katwe), where traditional salt mining is still practised to sustain the locals.
Many youths and small entrepreneurs are employed in small-scale industries such as agro-processing, baking, furniture making, and brick making.
Tourism
Thanks to its natural attractions, Kasese boasts a growing tourism industry:
Rwenzori Mountains National Park: It is a UNESCO World Heritage place that is enjoyed by climbers, hikers and nature lovers.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: This has tree-climbing lions, crater lakes and boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel.
Lake George and Lake Edward: Lake George and Lake Edward are beautiful lakes which provide fishing opportunities.
The health sector has been improving, but it continues to face the challenge of staffing, lacks specialised services and has poor infrastructure.
Tourism also brings revenue to the district and the local community, yet the problem of infrastructural development still exists.
Education and Health
Kasese has gone miles further in increasing education access. The district has a variety of both public and private primary and secondary schools. Some of the institutions which are characterised by good academic performance include Kasese Secondary School, Bwera Secondary School, and St. Theresa Girls’ School. Vocational training is a relatively recent development that has been gaining momentum in recent years as a way of providing youth with practical skills.
In tertiary education, there is the Mountains of the Moon University (including a campus near Kasese), among others, which helps to build capacity.
The Kasese Airstrip, which is not exploited at the moment, can support tourism and trade as soon as it is refined. The population is served by Kasese Municipal Health Centre, Bwera General Hospital, and a number of mission health facilities and private health facilities, which have been supported by NGOs and government programs.
Infrastructure and Development
Kasese has experienced great growth in the network of roads, with major roads linking Kasese to Fort Portal, Kampala and the DRC border. Electrification is not even, and clean water distribution, especially lacking in villages.
There has been ethnic friction and political instability in the past, and peace-building is a social cohesion. Government initiatives such as the Rural Electrification Project and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation have, however, helped to increase service delivery.
There are also vibrant civil societies in the district, comprising environmental, women and youth empowerment organisations that seek to empower communities.
Challenges Facing Kasese
Despite its potential, Kasese grapples with several challenges:
There has been displacement and damage to infrastructure caused by climate change and frequent flooding by rivers such as the Nyamwamba.
There remains a high percentage of unemployed people in poverty and mostly the youth.
There is poor funding of healthcare and education, especially in remote mountainous regions.
There have been some ethnic tensions and political instability, but the process of peace-building is strengthening social cohesion.
The Future of Kasese
The future of Kasese is in the sustainable exploitation of its natural resources, in investment in education and innovation and in developing infrastructure that will serve agriculture as well as tourism. Kasese could become a prototype of inclusive development in Uganda with the right policies, peace, and partners.
It is a beautiful place, but also a place of geographic and cultural diversity and strength that can be the key to national development. It could be the sound of Rwenzori glaciers, or it could be the beat of traditional drums. Kasese is a story of nature and people living in harmony- and working towards a better tomorrow.
