Chato District

Chato District is one of the five districts in Geita Region of northwestern Tanzania. Its administrative centre is the town of Chato.^[2] The main ethnic group in the district are the Sukuma.^[3] The late John Magufuli, who used to be as President of Tanzania from 2015—2021, was born in Chato.^[4]

Chato District
District
Chato District of Geita Region.
Coordinates: 02°38′00″S 031°46′00″E
Country	Tanzania
Region	Geita
District	Chato
Population  (2022)[1]
• Total	584,963
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
Postcode	30xxx
Area code	028
Website	District Council website

History

The Chato District was formed around 2005 within Kagera Region after being separated from Biharamulo District. In 2012, it was transferred to the newly created Geita Region.^[5][6]

In March 2006, Rwandan refugees who had settled in the district were evicted. The following year, a few who had been evicted improperly were allowed to come back.^[7]

Transport

Airport

The district hosts the largest airport in the Region the Geita Airport, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Chato Town.

Road

The paved truck road T4 (from Mwanza to Bukoba) passes through southern part of the Chao district.

Geography

Location

Chato District neighbours Lake Victoria to the northeast, Geita District to the east, the districts of Mbogwe and Bukombe to the south, and Biharamulo District of the Kagera Region to the west and north.

Topology

Climate

The annual rainfall in Chato District is adequate for crops, being between 700 and 1,000 millimetres (28 and 39 in) per year. The maximum temperature averages around 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) and the minimum temperatures around 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).^[3]

Climate data for Chato District
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
[citation needed]

Administration Division

Wards

The Chato District is divided into 23 wards:^[1]

Bukome Buseresere Butengorumasa Buziku Bwanga Bwera Bwina Bwongera Chato Minkoto Ichwankima Ilemela

Ilyamchele Iparamasa Kachwamba Kasenga Katende Kigongo Makurugusi Muganza Muungano Nyamirembe Nyarutembo

Economy

The primary economic activity is subsistence farming without irrigation, using only rain.

Food Crops

Common crops for local consumption are bananas, beans, maize, cassavas, and sweet potatoes.

Cash Crops

Commercial farming is not well developed, but cotton, sunflower, tobacco and coffee are grown for sale.

Livestock

Livestock rearing is usually an adjunct to farming, with some commercial ranches.^[3]

Tourism

Rubondo Island National Park is located on an island in Lake Victoria just off the coast of Chato District. It can be reached by ferry from Kasenda, a village in the north of the district.^[8]