Kalungu is a town in the Central Region of Uganda. It serves as the chief municipal, administrative, and commercial center of Kalungu District, of which it is the district headquarters.
Location
Kalungu is located approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) by road northeast of Masaka, the largest metropolitan center in the sub-region. This is approximately 130 kilometres (81 miles) by road southwest of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. The town's coordinates are 00°10′05″S 31°45′36″E (Latitude: -0.1680; Longitude: 31.7600), and it sits at an elevation of approximately 1,300 metres (4,300 feet) above sea level.
Administration
Kalungu is the capital of Kalungu District, a district in southern Central Uganda. The district was created by an Act of Parliament and began functioning on 1 July 2010, having been carved out of the larger Masaka District. Kalungu was selected as the district headquarters.
Landmarks
Landmarks within or close to the town include:
- The offices of Kalungu Town Council
- The headquarters of Kalungu District Administration
- Kalungu central market
Economy
The economy of the surrounding Kalungu District is predominantly agricultural. Agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing in Lake Victoria and the marshes of the Katonga River constitute the main economic activities. Over 80 percent of rural households in the district are engaged in subsistence agriculture. Major crops include bananas, coffee, maize, and beans. The district also has significant livestock populations, including cattle, pigs, goats, and poultry.
Healthcare
The district is served by Villa Maria Hospital, a facility administered by the Franciscan Nuns and supervised by the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau. Near the hospital is Katigondo National Major Seminary, a Catholic institution for training priests, as well as Holy Family Bukalasa Minor Seminary.
Population
According to the 2014 National Population and Housing Census, Kalungu District (which includes the town of Kalungu and surrounding areas) had a total population of 183,232, with 89,679 males (48.9 percent) and 93,553 females (51.1 percent). The district had 41,405 households at the time of the census.
