KNOW YOUR DISTRICT: Idi Amin’s home developing through cross-border trade

The name Koboko is derived from the Kakwa name kuwo a’buko which means “they were massively killed.” This name came after a hill erupted from Nyori in DRC, killing many people. When the colonialists came, they changed the name Kuwo a’buko to Koboko.

The Kakwa people commonly refer to themselves as Kakwa Saliya Musala, a phrase they use to denote their ‘oneness’ though they are in three different countries of Uganda, South Sudan and DRC.

This places Koboko strategically for cross-border trade for both locals and the foreigners. Thus the development right from the time it was still under Arua District.

Significantly, Koboko is home of Uganda’s former president Idi Amin Dada and former vice president Mustafa Adrisi. After the fall of Idi Amin regime, the district was collapsed back to Arua.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Koboko was a battle field. A lot of infrastructure was destroyed in the process. Koboko began its journey to revive it’s glory in August 2005 after being carved out of Arua District. During Idi Amin’s regime, the town was a vibrant headquarters of the then North-Nile District comprising of Maracha, Koboko and Aringa counties.

Topography
It comprises mainly of flat rolling plains occurring at 3,160 to 5,283 feet above sea level with isolated undulating hills mainly in the western and northern parts of the district towards the South Sudan border, with a slight slope towards the east. The area where the three international borders meet consists mainly of hills and rocks hosting remains of some indigenous savannah woodlands.

Vegetation
The predominant vegetation is savannah woodland with bushy forest cover found in the northern part of the district in Kuluba and Ludara sub-counties and at the sides of Liru Mountains in Lobule. Midia Sub-county is generally flat and covered with bush shrubs. The bushy forests in the northern part of the district mainly comprise of natural trees.

Livelihood
The livelihood of people in the district is dependent on agriculture which employs over 80 per cent of the total population. Fertile soils and suitable climate combine to support the cultivation of a number of crops in most parts of the district. Agriculture is mainly subsistence and takes place on small holdings using mainly simple farming tools mainly for consumption at the household level.

Water
Koboko generally lacks adequate surface and ground water resources. River Apa, Kaya at the South Sudan border, Kechi, Ora and Kochi are the most important rivers in the district. They all have their source from the DRC border which is a water shade and drain to the east mainly into rivers that empty into the River Nile.

The challenges
Koboko has a problem of water crisis caused by an annual dry-up of its water sources. The government plans to start a piped-water project which, if it materialises would relieve residents from spending a lot of money during the dry seasons on water.

Koboko’s fast growing economy has attracted three commercial banks. The people of Koboko still await government’s promise to upgrade Koboko Health Centre IV to a hospital. Currently, the district has only health centres catering for the fast growing population of now 200,900 people.

More so, the lack of electricity has bogged down most of the businesses leaving people to rely on generators which provide inadequate power. Once the connection from Nyagak is done, this would offer some hope and opportunity for the district.

The people moving and shaking Koboko

Abdulnoor Muwonge is the deputy chief administrative officer.

James Baba is the minister of state for Internal Affairs and a strong advocate for peace and commercial agriculture.

Josia Banda is the chief Finance officer, he has occupied the post since 2005 due to his competence.

Fred Bada is the district planner, he has plans to boost the district tourism potential.

Elizabeth Ayume a widow to late Speaker of Parliament, Francis Ayume. and is now the RDC.

Evelyn Anite is the Northern Youth MP

Idi Taban is a most revered businessman in Koboko who owns huge fleets of trucks and buses.

Basil Chandiga is the councillor representing people with disabilities at the distirct council.

Dr Alfred Driwale is the district health officer and a promoter of good health care.

Francis Fogo is an educationist and proprietor of Koboko Modern S.S.

Gloria Adraa is the disttrict information officer.

Grace Goro is the coordinator Family Health International.

Hassan Nginya is the LC5 chairman and proprietor of Daystar SS, Parents girls SS, Bright Star and Winners. nursery and primary school.

Isaac Ogwang is the assistant NUSAF officer.

Kezzy Ondoma is the senior community development officer.

Margaret Baba Diri is the woman MP Koboko, proprietor Kochi SS and the founder Koboko District Farmers’ Association.

Afeku Lonzino is the Principal Human Resource Officer of Koboko.

Ahmed Awongo is the MP for Koboko.

Mariam Akandru is the Koboko District national resource coordinator.

Sadik Kassim is the Naads cordinator in the district.

Simon Eganbua is the Nusaf desk officer

Stephen Onzima is the district production cordinator.

Stephen Todoko is the cordinator, Anti-Corruption Coalition.

Yunus Aliga is the district education officer.

Sheikh Abubakar Songa is the district Khadi and a member of inter-religious council Uganda.

Yusuf Dudu is the Kakwa cultural leader and chairman elders association.

Fr Augustine Bayo is the dean of Lodonga deanery and the Parish priest of our lady Fatima Koboko catholic parish. He has been keen on changing the mindset of believers on domestic violence which he said has led to family break ups.

Michael Popo is retired headmaster of St Charles Lwanga Kasasa, one of the top schools in the country during his time.

John Boboli is one of the prominent businessmen in Koboko Town owning the tallest building of five floors.

Taban Rashid is the program officer for koboko civil society network and a member of district orphans and vulnerable children coordination committee.

Paul Walikira is the Koboko Chief Administrative officer.

Bosco Dudu is a Sportsman and has promoted youth in sporting activities.

Nicholas Juruga is the district inspector of schools.

George Ambe is the district Speaker and a respected elder who has experience in leadership and administration of the district.

Daniel Agoyi is the Arch Deacon of Church of Uganda Koboko.

Patrick Bongo is the deputy programmes manager ACAV an Italian NGO who has been instrumental in bringing up the youths through initiation of youth programmes.

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