Kasese

Kasese is a municipality in the Western Region of Uganda. It is the main urban, commercial, and administrative centre of Kasese District. Kasese serves as the capital of the Rwenzururu, a cultural institution and subnational kingdom.^[5] The city is located in the Albertine Rift at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains and is a gateway to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kasese Municipality
A view of Kasese
Kasese Municipality Location in Uganda
Coordinates: 0°11′12″N 30°05′17″E
Country	Uganda
Region	Western Region
District	Kasese District
City status	1 July 2023[1]
Government
• Type	City Council
• City Mayor	Chance Kahindo[2]
• Member of Parliament	Kambale Ferigo (Kasese Municipality)[3]
Elevation	910 m (2,990 ft)
Population  (2014 Census[4])
• Total	101,057
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
Website	www.kasese.go.ug

History

Kasese began as a small trading post in the early 20th century. Its growth was significantly stimulated in the 1950s with two major developments: the establishment of the Kilembe Mines for copper and cobalt extraction, and the construction of the western extension of the Uganda Railway to the area, creating a transport hub.^[6] The town was planned and built to support the mining industry, which attracted a large workforce and spurred commercial activity.

During the mid-20th century, Kasese became the epicentre of the Rwenzururu movement, a political and armed struggle by the Bakonzo and Amba people seeking secession from the Tooro Kingdom. The town and surrounding district were the heartland of the self-declared Rwenzururu Kingdom led by Isaya Mukirania.^[7]

Kasese was granted township status and later became a municipality.

Geography and location

Kasese is situated at the western end of the Uganda-Congo border, just north of Lake George and south of the Rwenzori Mountains. The city's coordinates are 0°11'12.0"N, 30°05'17.0"E (Latitude: 0.186667; Longitude: 30.088050).

It is approximately 360 kilometres (224 mi) by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital. The city's location makes it a strategic hub for trade with the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the border town of Mpondwe located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) to the south-west.

Climate

Climate data for {{{location}}}
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30.6 (87.1)	31.1 (88.0)	30.8 (87.4)	29.8 (85.6)	29.3 (84.7)	29.6 (85.3)	29.4 (84.9)	29.6 (85.3)	29.8 (85.6)	29.3 (84.7)	28.7 (83.7)	29.0 (84.2)	29.8 (85.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	16.3 (61.3)	17.0 (62.6)	17.4 (63.3)	17.8 (64.0)	17.4 (63.3)	16.7 (62.1)	16.4 (61.5)	16.9 (62.4)	16.7 (62.1)	16.5 (61.7)	16.8 (62.2)	15.7 (60.3)	16.8 (62.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	27.9 (1.10)	37.8 (1.49)	83.9 (3.30)	130.1 (5.12)	100.2 (3.94)	45.8 (1.80)	36.7 (1.44)	67.5 (2.66)	87.9 (3.46)	115.7 (4.56)	104.2 (4.10)	62.3 (2.45)	900 (35.42)
Source: World Meteorological Organization[8]

Environmental challenges

Due to its location at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese is highly susceptible to severe flooding. The Nyamwamba River, which flows down from the mountains and through the city, frequently bursts its banks during heavy rainy seasons. This is caused by a combination of factors, including the steep terrain, deforestation, and the effects of climate change on the mountain's glaciers.^[9] Major floods, such as those in 2013, 2020, and 2022, have caused widespread destruction, displacing thousands of residents, destroying infrastructure like bridges and buildings, and resulting in loss of life.^[10]

Population

According to the 2014 national census, the population of Kasese Municipality was 101,057.^[4] The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimated the mid-year population in 2020 to be approximately 115,400.^[11] The population is ethnically diverse due to historical labour migration for the mines, but the majority are of the Bakonzo ethnic group.

Economy

The economy of Kasese municipality is driven by several key sectors:

• Mining: Historically, the city's economy was dominated by Kilembe Mines, one of Africa's largest copper and cobalt producers. While large-scale mining ceased in the 1980s, the Kasese Cobalt Company Limited (KCCL) later processed the stockpile of cobalt-rich tailings.^[12] Hima Cement Limited, located in the nearby town of Hima, is also a major employer in the region.
• Tourism: Kasese is a primary entry point for tourists visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This supports a local industry of hotels, lodges, and tour operators.
• Agriculture: The surrounding region is fertile, supporting the cultivation of crops such as coffee, cotton, and various fruits and staple foods, which are traded in the city's markets.
• Trade: Its proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo makes Kasese an important centre for cross-border trade.

Points of interest

• The headquarters of Kasese District administration.
• The main palace of the Omusinga of Rwenzururu.
• Kasese Airport, which serves tourists and regional travellers.
• Kilembe Mines Hospital, a 200-bed community hospital.
• A branch of the National Social Security Fund.

Notable people

• Charles Mumbere: The reigning Omusinga (King) of the Rwenzururu Kingdom.
• Winnie Kiiza: Politician and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Uganda.
• Godfrey Kabbyanga: Politician, former Mayor of Kasese, and current Minister of State for National Guidance.
• Christopher Kibanzanga: Politician, former Member of Parliament, and former Minister of State for Agriculture.
• Florence Kabugho: Politician, current Member of Parliament in the 11th Parliament of Uganda.
• Kambale Ferigo: Politician, current Member of Parliament in the 11th Parliament of Uganda.

See also

• List of cities and towns in Uganda
• Rwenzori Mountains