River Manafwa

River Manafwa
River Manafwa in Bududa District
River Manafwa is located in Uganda
River Manafwa
Mouth of River Manafwa
Location
CountryUganda
RegionEastern Uganda
DistrictsBududa, Manafwa, Mbale, Butaleja
CitiesMbale
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Elgon
 • locationEastern Uganda
MouthMpologoma River
 • location
Butaleja District
Basin features
ProgressionMpologoma River → Lake Kyoga
River systemMpologoma River system
River Manafwa in Bududa District

0°56′31″N 33°55′12″E / 0.9420°N 33.920°E / 0.9420; 33.920 River Manafwa is a natural river found in Eastern Uganda. The river originates from Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda,[1][2][3] and traverses the districts of Bududa, Manafwa, Mbale and Butaleja. It joins the Mpologoma river , which empties into Lake Kyoga.[1][4] The river basin is prone to flooding, which disrupts transportation between the Bududa and Manafwa districts, and has resulted in damage to buildings and deaths.[5][3][6][7][8][9][10]

Manafwa water fall
Mpologoma River which joins to R. Manafwa emptying into Lake Kyoga

The River Manafwa basins have for long been of great socialeconomic importance to the population in the region.[3][11] The river area possess phosphate and iron deposits with quarry sites around the river.[12] These quarries are a source of income for indigenous people who produce aggregate stones, hardcore and sand mining along the river beds for the construction industry.[2][12] The river is also a source of water to surrounding areas.[2]

Geographical location

River Manafwa lies along coordinates of (1.089092, 34.46106) and coordinates of (0.943084, 33.98428).[13] And it flows along the Uganda - Kenya border in Manafwa district mainly.

Hydrology

Manafwa river falls under the Kyoga Water Management Zone and its characterized by bimodal rainfall (April-June, August-November), extreme flooding leading to high Surface runoff.[14] The river is also highly sedimented since the surrounding areas have high level vegetation loss resulting into soil erosion.[15][16]

Importance

River Manafwa has both economic and social importance to the community. It provides water for domestic use, irrigation, brick making, sand mining, scenic beauty for tourism.[17][18]

Challenges

The river is facing numerous issues related to environmental degradation such as pollution, silting, sedimentation. These problems are due to human activities such as deforestation, and climate change.[16][19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "River Manafwa in Eastern Uganda-Love Uganda Safaris". Uganda Safaris & Tours - Uganda Holiday Tours - Uganda safari Tour. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Why Elgon's lost rivers need saving". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  3. ^ a b c Richard Schuhmann. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Bingwa, Fidele (2013-11-18). A quantitative analysis of the impact of land use changes on floods in the Manafwa River Basin. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. OCLC 867482572.
  4. ^ "River Manafwa, Uganda". ug.geoview.info. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  5. ^ "River Manafwa disrupts traffic flow as it bursts banks". Eagle Online. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  6. ^ Atuyambe, Lynn M; Ediau, Michael; Orach, Christopher G; Musenero, Monica; Bazeyo, William (December 2011). "Land slide disaster in eastern Uganda: rapid assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene situation in Bulucheke camp, Bududa district". Environmental Health. 10 (1): 38. doi:10.1186/1476-069X-10-38. ISSN 1476-069X. PMC 3118126. PMID 21569594.
  7. ^ admin. "River Manafwa bursts its banks sweeping away homes and gardens – NECJOGHA". Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  8. ^ "Hundreds displaced as floods ravage Butaleja - Uganda". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  9. ^ "4 Dead as River Manafwa Bursts Banks". ChimpReports. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  10. ^ "Death toll in Uganda's landslide rises as more bodies recovered". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  11. ^ Osuret, Jimmy; Atuyambe, Lynn M; Mayega, Roy William; Ssentongo, Julius; Tumuhamye, Nathan; Mongo Bua, Grace; Tuhebwe, Doreen; Bazeyo, William (2016). "Coping Strategies for Landslide and Flood Disasters: A Qualitative Study of Mt. Elgon Region, Uganda". PLOS Currents. 8. doi:10.1371/currents.dis.4250a225860babf3601a18e33e172d8b. ISSN 2157-3999. PMC 4956487. PMID 27500012.
  12. ^ a b "NECOC - Home". necoc-opm.go.ug. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  13. ^ Okoth, Joseph Micheal; Otim, Daniel; Kamalha, Edwin (2024-01-24). "Distribution of Floods Frequency of Manafwa River, Uganda". East African Journal of Engineering. 7 (1): 1–20. doi:10.37284/eaje.7.1.1670. ISSN 2707-5397.
  14. ^ "Natural Resources | Manafwa District". manafwa.go.ug. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  15. ^ Erima, Godwin; Gidudu, Anthony; Bamutaze, Yazidhi; Egeru, Anthony; Kabenge, Isa (2024-05-03). "Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Hydrological Responses to Land-Use Land-Cover Changes in the Manafwa Catchment, Eastern Uganda". The Professional Geographer.
  16. ^ a b Matembu, Gerald. "Govt Launches 'Save River Manafwa' Drive". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  17. ^ "Govt organises marathon to save River Manafwa in Bugisu". Monitor. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  18. ^ Reporter, Vision. "Butaleja devastated by River Manafwa flooding". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  19. ^ Ladu, Novie Allens. "Manafwa River: A Lifeline for Manafwa District Residents - Explorer Uganda". explorer.co.ug. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
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