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Mbarara

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Mbarara is a major city located in the Western Region of Uganda.

Mbarara at Sundown
Mbarara at Sundown

It holds the title of the second largest city in the country, following the capital, Kampala. The city serves as a vital commercial center for most of the southwestern districts of Uganda. It also functions as a significant transport hub. This is because it sits on the road to Kabale, west of Masaka. It is located near the Lake Mburo National Park.

Mbarara Round About(Amahembe Gente)
Mbarara Round About(Amahembe Gente)

The city is organized into six distinct boroughs. These divisions are Kakoba, Kamukuzi, Nyamitanga, Biharwe, Kakiika, and Nyakayojo. Within these six divisions, there are 23 different wards. The city also contains two constituencies. The central business district is located at coordinates 00 36 48S and 30 39 30E. The city sits at an average elevation above sea level. This organized structure helps manage the growing needs of its many residents.

The name Mbarara has an interesting history. It originated from a colonial mispronunciation of the word Emburara. Emburara is the name of a tall grass that once covered the entire area. The city has seen rapid growth and development over time. It eventually surpassed other cities like Entebbe, Masaka, Gulu, and Jinja. In May 2019, the Ugandan cabinet granted Mbarara official city status. This new status officially began on 1 July 2020.

Mbarara experiences a tropical savanna climate, often labeled as Aw. This means the weather stays warm, but the rainfall varies. There is a difference of 94 mm between the driest and wettest months. The annual temperature variation is about 2.4 °C. October is typically the wettest month, with an average of 22.37 rainy days. July is the driest month, with only 3.67 rainy days. Humidity levels also change throughout the year. Relative humidity is highest in November at 76.93% and lowest in July at 53.76%.

The population of the city has increased significantly. In 2002, the national census estimated the population at 69,400. By 2010, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimated it at 82,000. In 2011, the mid-year estimate rose to 83,700. By the August 2014 census, the population reached 195,013 people. This rapid expansion creates a need for more infrastructure. For example, the water from the nearby River Rwizi is no longer enough. To solve this, the government borrowed €120 million to source water from the Kagera River.

Education and healthcare are very important in Mbarara.

The city is home to Mbarara University of Science and Technology, which was founded in 1989. Other schools include Bishop Stuart University and the Uganda Bible Institute. For healthcare, the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital is a large public facility with 600 beds. There are also private options like Mbarara Community Hospital and Mayanja Memorial Hospital. Specialized care is available at the Holy Innocents Children's Hospital.

Industry and transport also drive the city's economy. Several large companies operate here, such as Nile Breweries and Lato Milk. There is also the Mbarara Steel Plant and the Century Bottling Company. To help move goods, a northern bypass road was planned. This road was designed to cost about €170 million. The European Union is expected to lend €122 million toward this project. The bypass will help long-distance trucks from Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo avoid the city center. This will help reduce congestion on the local streets.

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🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:Mbarara Round About(Amahembe Gente).jpg
Mbarara Round About(Amahembe Gente).jpg
File:Mbarara at Sundown.jpg
Mbarara at Sundown.jpg
File:Amahembe Gente (bull) closer view.jpg
Amahembe Gente (bull) closer view.jpg
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