Sironko District | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 01°14′N 34°15′E / 1.233°N 34.250°E | |
Country | Uganda |
Region | Eastern Region |
Sub-region | Bugisu sub-region |
Capital | Sironko |
Area | |
• Land | 446.1 km2 (172.2 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,420 m (4,660 ft) |
Population (2012 Estimate) | |
• Total | 239,600 |
• Density | 537.1/km2 (1,391/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Website | www |
Sironko District is a district in the Eastern Region of Uganda. The district was created in 2000 and had previously been part of Mbale District. Sironko is the main commercial town in the district.
Sironko District is bordered by Bulambuli District to the north, Kapchorwa and Kween Districts to the north-east, Kenya to the east, Bududa District to the south-east, Mbale District to south-west, and Bukedea District to the west. Sironko lies 22 kilometres (14 mi) north-east of Mbale, the largest city in the Bugisu sub-region.[1]
In 1991, the national population census estimated the district population at 147,700. The 2002 census estimated the population at 185,800, with an annual growth rate of 2.6 percent. The population was estimated to be 239,600 in 2012.[2]
The district has a total area of 446.1 square kilometres (172.2 sq mi).[3]
Sironko is the largest town and the administrative headquarters of the district. Mafuni, Nakaloke, Mutufu, and Budadiri are the main trading centers within the district.
The primary activity is agriculture with a focus on food crops such as beans, groundnuts, sorghum, millet, cassava, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Coffee and cotton are the main cash crops. Fruits and vegetables grown in the district include passion fruit, tomatoes, onions and cabbage.[6]
Part of Mount Elgon National Park lies within Sironko district. One of the two main trails in the park, Sasa trail, starts near the Budadiri trading center located within the district.[7]