Overview
The district was created in 1974 and was known then as North Kigezi District. Its name changed to Rukungiri District in 1980, a name it derived from its 'chief town' of Rukungiri. When Kanungu District was split off to form a separate district, Rukungiri District was reduced to two counties: Rujumbura County and Rubabo County.
Rukungiri District is endowed with rich soils and a good climate for agriculture. The district is the birth place of Colonel (Rtd) Kizza Warren Besigye Kifefe, who was a candidate for the Ugandan Presidency in 2001, 2006 and 2011. Other prominent Ugandans who hail from Rukungiri District include General Aronda Nyakayirima, the current "Chief of Defence Forces" of the Uganda People's Defense Force and Brigadier Henry Tumukunde, formerly the Director of Uganda's Internal Security Organisation (ISO). One of the Parliamentary representatives of this District is Major General (Rtd) James Muhwezi Katugugu. The chairman of the Elections Commission in 1980, the late Kosia Kikira was also another prominent Ugandan from Rukungiri District.
Read more about this topic: Rukungiri District