THE ORIGIN OF KARAGWE AND ITS PEOPLE (WANYAMBO)

Based on the narratives of elders and various researchers such as Katoke (1975; 162), the name ‘Karagwe’ originates from a hill located in the southwest of Karagwe district headquarters, in the village of Kandegesho, Nyakakika ward. It is said that the first ruler (Omukama) performed the first sacrifice there. According to available information, this ruler was known as ‘Nono ya Malija’ from the Basiita clan. The memory of “Karagwe ka Nono” comes from the fact that Nono was the last original ruler before being deposed by Omukama Ruhinda, the son of Wamara. It is said that Nono was removed cunningly without any conflicts or battles. In short, this is his memory and the origin of the history of the name Karagwe.

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.

Karagwe District is one of the seven (7) districts of Kagera Region. It borders Kyerwa District to the north, Rwanda to the southwest, Ngara District to the south, and the districts of Missenyi, Bukoba Rural, and Muleba to the east.

GEOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT.

The district is located 105 kilometers from the Bukoba Municipal – the regional headquarters of Kagera. It lies between latitudes 1° and 2°20′ South and longitudes 30° to 38°30′ East. The elevation ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 meters above sea level. The average temperature is around 26°C. Rainfall averages between 1,040 to 1,200 mm per year, occurring between September and January and from March to May.

AREA OF THE DISTRICT.

Karagwe District covers an area of 4,500 square kilometers, of which 4,342 square kilometers are land and 158 square kilometers are water bodies. The area suitable for agriculture is 153,540 hectares, with 82,808.5 hectares currently under cultivation, which is 53.9% of the suitable land.

ADMINISTRATION.

In terms of administrative areas, Karagwe District Council has five (5) divisions: Bugene, Nyakakika, Nyaishozi, Nyabiyonza, and Kituntu. The district comprises 23 wards, 77 villages, and 612 hamlets, of which 20 are within the jurisdiction of the small town authority of Kayanga and are called hamlets because this small town authority has not yet been fully authorized to call these areas streets. The district council has 32 councilors, 23 of whom are elected from the council wards, 8 are special seats, and there is 1 constituency MP.

POPULATION.

According to the 2012 Population and Housing Census, Karagwe District had a total population of 332,020, with 163,864 males and 168,156 females, with an annual population growth rate of 2.9%.

The population projection for 2015 was 351,555, comprising 178,050 women and 173,505 men. Additionally, the number of households increased from 72,836 in 2012 to 76,425 in 2015.