BUSHENYI- Bushenyi District is one of the oldest districts in Uganda. Created in 1974 out of Mbarara District, Bushenyi was the cradle of the UPC party in the western region.
In 2009, it was split into five districts (four new districts of Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema and Rubirizi districts) with one new municipal council of Bushenyi-Ishaka. This has drastically reduced the size of Bushenyi District from five counties to one of Igara that includes the municipality. The district is made of one county (Igara), nine Sub-counties, a municipal council, four town boards, three wards, 64 parishes and 565 villages.

Location: The district has a land area of 3’949 square kilometers and lying between 910 and 2,500 meters above sea level. The main physical features include natural tropical forests of Karinzu and Imaramagambo covering an area of 784 km. These serve as tourist attractions. Arable land covers 2,215 square kms; open water bodies cover 372 square kms and wetlands covering 183 square kms.

Social services: Bushenyi has 36 private and government health centres and three privately owned hospitals. There are 127 government-aided primary schools and 56 private owned ones. The district has seven government-aided secondary schools and 31 private secondary schools.

As projected in the national statistics by 2010, Bushenyi District has a population of 117,000 males and 124,000 female respectively totalling to 241,500 people. The population distribution in rural and urban areas is projected to stand at 89 per cent rural and 11 per cent urban. The urban population is projected to be almost 1:1 male to female ratio. The population density stands at 282 people per square km with a household size of six.

Population: As projected in the national statistics by 2010, Bushenyi District has a population of 117,000 males and 124,000 female respectively totalling to 241,500 people. The population distribution in rural and urban areas is projected to stand at 89 per cent rural and 11 per cent urban. The urban population is projected to be almost 1:1 male to female ratio. The population density stands at 282 people per square km with a household size of six.

Economic activities: The district is well known for the growing of bananas and dairy farming. Residents also grow coffee and tea. People are also involved in semi-intensive agriculture, trade and commerce, transport, stone quarrying, sand mining, mineral mining, construction, tourism, and lumbering.

The people who move and shake Bushenyi

Mary Karooro Okurut is the district Woman MP and Minister of Gender and Social Development.

Michael Mawanda is the Member of Parliament for Igara East and a prominent businessman.

Rt Rev Yonna Katonene is Bishop of West Ankole Diocese.

Frankline Katungwe is the Deputy Ambassador to Belgium.

Lillian Nakamatte is the chief adminstrative officer.

Emmanuel Karasi is the district speaker.

Amanya Mushega is former education minister and currently FDC vice president for western region.

Willis Bashasha is the current district chairperson. One of the youngest district chairpersons in the country.

Gaston Maliro is the Resident District Commissioner.

Deo Ndiimo is the Town Clerk Ishaka, Bushenyi Municipal Council

Doe Owobusingye is a prominent businessman in the district.

Mubarak Katainama is the district Kadhi.

Dr Abel Mucunguzi is an education consultant in Uganda and Rwanda.

Dr Edward Mwesigye is the District Health Officer.

Deus Kamugisha is a prominent Lawyer.

Edgar Rugogamu is the Academic Registrar, Uganda Technical College Bushenyi.

Hassan Basajjabalaba is the NRM district party chairperson and a city tycoon.

Apollo Kakonge is the Executive Director Western Ankole Civil Society forum

Nasser Basajjabala, is former Youth MP western region.

Paul Turyamureba Kahiigi is a member of FDC and an influential figure in the district.

Ephraim Ruhombe is a senior citizen and promoter of education

Raphael Magyezi is the Member of Parliament for Igara west.

Boniface Barinyenka is a large scale farmer and senior educationist who has pioneered many schools. Currently, he sits on the district public accounts committee and is a member of education committee for the district and Mbarara Arch Diocese.

Dr Silver Mugisha is the managing director National Water and Sewerage Corporation

Tarsis Kabwegyere is the Minister In charge of General Duties and is former Igara West MP

Prof. Emmanuel Karoro is the Vice Chancellor Kampala International University Western Campus

Odo Tayebwa is MP Bushenyi/Ishaka municipality. He is the only opposition MP in Bushenyi and Ankole region.
Umar Muhanguzi is the district councillor for Kakanju Sub County. A vocal person in the district council who is known for shaping council debates.
Mary Kabesiime Babiiha is a presidential advisor on poverty alleviation and Director BFM radio station.

Yorokam Batuna is prominent tea famer in the district.
Emeritus Bishop William Magambo is second Bishop of West Ankole diocese. He is known to have brought revival in the Anglican Church when he allowed Pentecostal songs to be sung in church and of clapping hands.
Edward Mugisha Gift is re-known head teacher in the district now currently at Ruyonza school. He is known for encouraging teachers to advance their career.
Yoram Tibasimwa is retired head teacher and former District speaker. One of the first NRM cadres in the district. Chairman Ankole Older Persons Association.
Jafali Basajjabalaba is the Chairman Public Accounts Committee of Bushenyi District local government.
Enock Nkuruho is Uganda Ambassador to Australia and Newzealnd
Yorokam Bashasha is a farmer and opinion leader
Eldard Bwarare is former deputy mayor Bushenyi
Eldard Katunda served as mayor Ishaka-Bushenyi town council for over 20 years
Godfrey Nangumya is a prominent lawyer
Charles Tumwesigye, a prominent lawyer
John Byamukama is a financial consultant with World Bank
Edgar Manyire is the Director St. Agness Girls and former Inspector of Schools Bushenyi
Eliab Muhoozi is a prominent farmer
Fr. Vincent Birungi is the Deputy Principal Ibanda Teachers College
Joab Tumusiime is an investor and businessman.
Lydia Rwakishaya is the Chairperson District Service Commission
Protasio Tigurihwayo is the RDC Ibanda District
Godfrey Tumwebaze is the head teacher Pioneer High School and municipal councillor
Richard Anyama is the District Police Commander
Duncan Bigirwa is Secretary Public Service Commission.
Arzalia Baryahuha is a retired UN diplomat and businessman
Winstone Katushabe is Secretary Transport Licensing Board
Msgr John Barugahare is former Vicar General Mbarara Archdiocese
Ham Mbamanya is a district councillor and popular politician who is influential in district affairs.
Bruhan Nuwabiine owns five coffee factories in Ishaka. He looks after many orphans and vulnerable children
Dan Katarihwa is a businessman dealing in transport
Yusuf Kagumire is a city lawyer
Gordon Arinda is a hotelier.
Enid Tugume is fuel dealer
Gordon Tweheyo is a businessman
Polly Mwesigwa is a senior teacher and businessman
Dr Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare is an author, dramatist, playwright, and teacher. She teaches at Makerere University.
Peter Rwakifaari is RDC Ntungamo District
Chris Byaruhanga, is the Chief Operating Officer, United Bank for Africa.
Fr Felix Tumuheise: A catholic priest who heads St Mary’s Vocational School Kyamuhunga.
John Bosco Ntangaare is a prominent farmer.
Barnabas Mbonimpa is the district engineer
Joseph Kanyonyore works with Kampala City Council Authority’s lands department and is a prominent lawyer.
Turikwendera Apolinari is a farmer and owns several acres of tea plantation farms
Dr Deo Betunguura is a medical doctor in Bushenyi Town
Ham Mbamanya is a district councillor and popular politician who is influential in district affairs.
Evaristo Kitakushasha is an educationist and prominent farmer
David Byamukama is the district commercial officer

Scovia Ndyakira is the former district NRM vice chairperson Bushenyi.

Hilary Kulayigye is Regional Police Commander Greater Bushenyi.Harriet Muhebwa is the manager Kyamuhunga people’s Sacco and a tea farmer.

Richard Nduhuura is former Igara East MP, served as State Minister for Health and is currently Uganda’s Ambassador to UN

Marvin Baryaruha is legal Counsel to UNRA and Chancellor West Ankole Diocese, a position that gives him influence on political issues in the district ome of leaders in the district.
Frank Baine is the Spokesperson of the Uganda Prisons Department

William Mukaira is the proprietor of a number of investments in the district. He is the director of Valley College and Valley wines. He is the chairman Forum for Democratic Change in Bushenyi.