Busembatya, Uganda

Busembatya
Busembatya Map of Uganda showing the location of Busembatya.
Coordinates:
Country	Uganda
Region	Eastern Uganda
Sub-region	Busoga sub-region
District	Iganga District
Elevation	1,110 m (3,640 ft)
Population (2011 Estimate)
• Total	15,700
Time zone	EAT (UTC+3)

Busembatya, sometimes spelled Busembatia, is a town in Eastern Uganda.

Location

Busembatya is located on the northern edge of Iganga District. Its closest neighboring metropolitan area is the town of Namutumba, in Namutumba District, a distance of approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), by road, northeast of Busembatya. This location lies approximately 66 kilometres (41 mi), by road, northeast of Jinja, the largest city in the sub-region. The town is located on the main highway between Iganga and Mbale, along the Tirinyi Bridge Road. The coordinates of the town are:0°46'30.0"N, 33°37'30.0"E (Latitude:0.7750; Longitude:33.6250). Busembatya is situated at an average elevation of 1,110 metres (3,640 ft), above sea level.

Population

The Uganda national census of 2002, counted the population of the town at 11,553. In 2010, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimated the population of the town 15,200. In 2011, UBOS estimated the population of the town at 15,700. The Basoga are the main inhabitants of Busembatya, and the main language spoken is Lusoga, although most people know many other languages including Luganda and English.

History

Busembatya is known for its rice, a cash crop in Uganda. Being on a highland surrounded by swamps, it is in the perfect environment for growing large amounts of rice. Before electricity was widespread, people would come from all over Busoga to bring their rice to Busembatya's mills. Now that power cables have reached many of the rural areas, fewer people find it worthwhile to make the journey to the town. As a result, the rate of population growth in Busembatya has actually decreased; an unusual thing in a country with a rapidily growing population.

See also

3