Kamonkoli

{{EngvarB|date=October 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement

| official_name = Kamonkoli

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| image_map =

| mapsize = 150px

| pushpin_map = Uganda

| pushpin_map_caption = Map of Uganda showing location of Kamonkoli

| coordinates = {{coord|01|04|30|N|34|05|44|E|region:UG|display=inline,title}}{{google maps |title=Location of Kamonkoli, Budaka District, Eastern Region, Uganda |access-date=11 February 2025 | url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/1%C2%B004'30.0%22N+34%C2%B005'44.0%22E/@1.0750104,34.0933847,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flag|Uganda}}

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_name1 = Eastern Region

| subdivision_type2 = Sub-region

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| subdivision_type3 = District

| subdivision_name3 = Budaka District

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| elevation_m = 1119

| population_total = 30000 people

| population_as_of = 2025

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| timezone = EAT

| utc_offset = +3

| website =

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Kamonkoli is a town in Budaka District, in the Eastern Region of Uganda.{{cite web|access-date=24 October 2018 |date=29 August 2018 |title=From mud and wattle trading centre to commercial hub |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Kamonkoli-From-mud-and-wattle-trading-centre-commercial-hub/689858-4732948-e140atz/index.html |newspaper=Daily Monitor |

first=Mudangha |last=Kolyangha |location=Kampala}}

Geography

The town is located in Iki-iki county, Budaka district in Eastern Uganda.

It lies along Iganga-Tirinyi-Mbale road approximately 7km from Mbale city and 72km from Iganga town.

It's also the end Eastern leg of Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kamonkoli-Kumi highway.

The town has two wards with 8 cells.

North Ward:- Bubulanga, Kamonkoli'A', Kamonkoli'B' and Bulalaka.

South Ward:- Namusango,Kamonkoli central, Nyanza'A' and Nyanza'B'.

It lies on a plateau 1119m above sea level with average annual temperature of 28°c and rainfall between 900-1200mm/rf.

It is bordering Namatala swamp, one of the largest wetlands in Uganda.

Population

Nyanza'A' cell has the most population in the area with about 4500 people (estimate 2024) in the town. More than half of the population lives above poverty lines making about 60%, thus in every 100 people, 60 can earn atleast 1$ per day while the 40 connot.

The town is the fastest growing in the district, benefiting from industries like Uganda Clays, Ltd., a branch of Kajansi factory, Uganda's largest manufacturer of clay products. Metro Cement, Ltd. is located in Nyanza'A' and a plastic recycling industries which have employed the yourths around.

The town is mostly inhabited by the Bagwere, although some tribes such as Bagisu, Basoga,Iteso,and a few Baganda also live there, and Bagwere clans that live there are the Balaraka, Babulanga, Bakomolo, Bakatikoko, Balyampiti, and Bakaduuka.

Economy

The major cash crops were typically rice and cotton (cotton was abandoned due to price fluctuations). Other crops include cassava, groundnuts, millet, beans, maize,etc. Rice is mostly grown in Nyanza B and other areas near Namatala swamp.

Mining is mostly done for marrum and clay. Livestock such as goats and cows are reared. Small scale fishing is done mostly in the swamps and some fish ponds. Food processing industries operate in the town, mostly for rice.

Amenities

Tourist spots are swamps and factories. It is the location of the biggest hotel, Marple cottages, in the district and the biggest mosque in Bugwere. The Seventh Day Adventists Eastern Uganda Field Headquarters are located there.

History

In the late 2000s, the people of the town especially those living along Namatala had land conflicts with the Bagisu people of Mbale, which cost many lives.

Health care

The town has a grade III government hospital located in Nyanza A.

And several other private clinics.

Education

The town has various schools ranging from nursery to university, including Genesis P/s, Kamonkoli college, and Livingstone international university. Other schools are Kamonkoli mixed p/s, Nyanza II p/s, Kamonkoli Nursery and p/s, HIS primary school, and so many other private institutions and schools

Notables

  • Baraki Kirya was a famous politician in the times of Obote and Iddi Amini Dada. Was residing from there in Nyanza'A'.
  • Famous pastor Irene Manjeri is also a born of Kamonkoli

References