Amuru District

Location

Amuru District is bordered by Adjumani District to the north, South Sudan and Lamwo District to the northeast, Gulu District to the east, Nwoya District to the south, Nebbi District to the southwest and Arua District to the west. The administrative headquarters of the district at Amuru, are located approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi), by road, northwest of Gulu, the largest city in the sub-region.

Overview

Amuru District was established by the Ugandan Parliament in 2006. Prior to that, the district was part of Gulu District. Amuru District, together with Agago District, Gulu District, Kitgum District, Lamwo District, Nwoya District and Pader District, is part of the larger Acholi sub-region, home to an estimated 1.5 million Acholi, according to the 2002 national census. The district is predominantly a rural district, lacking any tarmac road, despite its size.

Population

The 1991 national population census estimated the district population at about 88,700. The 2002 national census estimated the population of Amuru District at about 135,700. The district population grew an annual rate of 2.8% between 2002 and 2012. It is estimated that the population of the district in 2012 was approximately 178,800.

Economic activities

Subsistence agriculture is the backbone of the district economy, employing 98% of the population. Arable land, which makes up about 90% of the total land area in the district is very fertile. However, during the last twenty years, less than 1% of the land was utilized for agriculture on account of insecurity caused by the Lord's Resistance Army. With the return of security to Northern Uganda in 2006, the situation in the district is expected to improve. Crops raised include: