Environment

Climate

The favorable climate and rainfall pattern for Masindi is bimodal.   The district receives an annual long-term average rainfall of 1304mm

The highest rainfall is always received in March – May - August – and November.  Based on the amount of rainfall received, the district can be divided into three major climatic zones

(i)             High rainfall zones: These areas receive more than 1000 mm of rainfall per annum.  These include budongo, pakanyi, karujubu and nyangahya sub- counties.  Other areas include: bikonzi and kahembe parishes in bwijanga sub-county and kigulya parish in miirya sub county.

(ii)            Medium rainfall zones: These areas receive rainfall ranging between 800mm – 1000mm per annum.  Areas, which fall under this zone, include bigando and isimba parishes in miirya sub - county.

(iii)           Lower rainfall zones: These areas receive less than 800mm of rainfall per annum.  These include kimengo sub-county and ntooma parish in bwijanga sub-county.

Major Economic activities  

v  High rainfall zones: Pit sawing for budongo forest, maize, cassava, sugar cane, tobacco and banana growing. 

v  Low rainfall zones: Pastoralism, fishing and cotton growing.

Physical Features

v  Vegetation

The natural vegetation of Masindi comprises of forest, dry and humid savannah with elephant grass prolific throughout the area. This type of vegetation provides a diverse habitat for a variety of birds and animals.

v  Water Resources

There are adequate surface and sub-surface water reserves. However some parts of the District are devoid of such water reserves especially during the dry season. Severe surface water shortage is experienced in the whole of Kimengo sub-county and parts of Bwwijanga sub-county. The drainage system in the district consists of numerous wetlands in several localities.

v  Geomorphology

It is generally a plateau land with an altitude of 1295 meters on average above sea level.  Undulating hills with some pronounced high points are spread out in the district.  Examples of these high points include kigulya (4529ft) in miirya sub –county, fumbya in bwijanga.

To the West is an arm of the great western rift valley, which descends up to Mozambique. There are also several features associated with rift valley formation to the west of the district. The land towards Murchison falls slopes down suddenly and remains flat in conservation area.

v   Mineral Resources

The status of mineral resources in the district is not well established, as there has been no full-scale geological study to determine the mineral potential. However companies that have carried out sampling report the following minerals amongst many do exist; Iron ore, salt, gold, uranium and cobalt.

Soil types

Soil types in Masindi district; determine the type of crops grown in various areas.