Karonga District

Karonga is a district in the Northern Region of Malawi. The district covers an area of 3,355 km.² and has a population of 365,028.^[1] It is a border district between Malawi and Tanzania's Mbeya Region's Kyela District. Chitumbuka is the major language spoken in the district and is also the second language of several other ethnic groups in the district such as the Ngonde people, among others. The majority of the population are mainly the Tumbuka people and a few Ngonde people (migrants from Tanzania).

Location of Karonga District in Malawi

Karonga District is the main border from Tanzania into Malawi, and the capital is Karonga. The district shares internal boundary with Rumphi District in the South and Chitipa District to the North.

Economics

Over the last few years, there has been much development in the region due to the discovery of uranium at the Kayelekera mine, which officially opened in 2009, and many of the previously gravelled roads have been laid with tarmac.

Tourism

There are many hotels and guesthouses in Karonga, along the shore of Lake Malawi. There is a museum - Karonga museum, at the Karonga centre which attracts more visitors and is located near Karonga ESCOM Office.

Government and administrative divisions

There are five National Assembly constituencies in Karonga:

• Karonga - Central
• Karonga - North
• Karonga - North West
• Karonga - Nyungwe
• Karonga - South

Since the 2009 election, Karonga Nyungwe has been represented by an AFORD politician, and the other seats are held by members of the Democratic Progressive Party.^[2]

Demographics

Ethnic groups

At the time of the 2024 Census of Malawi, the distribution of the population of Karonga District by ethnic group was as follows:

• 75.4% Tumbuka
• 15.3% Ngonde
• 5.9% Sukwa
• 3.6% Lambya
• 0. 9% Chewa
• 0.1% Yao
• 0.1% Lomwe
• 0.1% Sena
• 1.5% Others

Languages

The main language spoken in the district is Chitumbuka. Other minority languages such as Nyakyusa and Lambya are also spoken in some areas, mainly by elder people, while the younger generation exalts to Chitumbuka. There are also a few speakers of Chindali and Chisukwa along the border with Chitipa District.^[3]

Cities and towns

• Karonga (capital)
• Chilumba
• Nyungwe

Notable Malawians from Karonga

• Geoffrey Du Mhango
• Bazuka Mhango
• Temwa Nyirenda
• Roselyn Msowoya
• Richard Msowoya
• Khwawuli Msiska
• Kampunga Mwafulirwa
• Frank Mwenefumbo
• Russell Mwafulirwa
• Etiken Mwafulirwa
• Yatuta Chisiza
• Kyungu
• Wasambo