Butiaba
Encyclopedia
Butiaba, sometimes spelled as Butyaba, is a town in Western Uganda
.
. It is located approximately 57 kilometres (35.4 mi), by road, west of the district headquarters at Masindi
. This location is approximately 270 kilometres (167.8 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala
, Uganda's capital and largest city. The coordinates of Butiaba are:01 48 36N, 31 19 34E (Latitude:1.8100; Longitude:31.3261).
and from South Sudan
was transported by boat across Lake Albert to Butiaba Harbour. At Butiaba, merchandise was transported overland, through Masindi
to Masindi Port
. At Masindi Port, the produce would be loaded on barge
s, ferried across Lake Kyoga
to Soroti
. At Soroti, it would be loaded on to railway wagons for transportation by rail to Mombasa
, Kenya
, on the Indian Ocean
, for export. Imported goods and merchandise were transported along the same route, in reverse.
When the East African Railways Corporation was dissolved in the 1970s, Butiaba's prominence declined and the harbour remained dormant until now. Recently, a significant amount of petroleum
deposits have been discovered in the ground and under the lake near Butiaba. There are considerations to revive Butiaba Harbour, to play a role in the transportation of equipment, manpower and petroleum, as Uganda develops her nascent oil industry.
Western Region, Uganda
Western Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
.
Location
Butiaba is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Albert, in Masindi DistrictMasindi District
Masindi District is a district in Western Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' of Masindi, the location of the district headquarters. The region of the country in which the district is located is comparatively dry, but is fertile enough to support a...
. It is located approximately 57 kilometres (35.4 mi), by road, west of the district headquarters at Masindi
Masindi
Masindi is a town in Western Uganda, which lies on the road from Kampala to the Murchison Falls National Park. It is the 'chief town' of the Masindi District and the district headquarters are located there...
. This location is approximately 270 kilometres (167.8 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda's capital and largest city. The coordinates of Butiaba are:01 48 36N, 31 19 34E (Latitude:1.8100; Longitude:31.3261).
Overview
During the first half of the 20th century, Butiaba was an important transportation hub, where merchandise from eastern Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
and from South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
was transported by boat across Lake Albert to Butiaba Harbour. At Butiaba, merchandise was transported overland, through Masindi
Masindi
Masindi is a town in Western Uganda, which lies on the road from Kampala to the Murchison Falls National Park. It is the 'chief town' of the Masindi District and the district headquarters are located there...
to Masindi Port
Masindi Port
-Location:Masindi Port is located in Masindi District in western Uganda. The town is located on the western banks of the Victoria Nile, approximately , by road, northwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. This location is approximately , by road, east of Masindi, the district capital...
. At Masindi Port, the produce would be loaded on barge
Barge
A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...
s, ferried across Lake Kyoga
Lake Kyoga
Lake Kyoga is a large shallow lake complex of Uganda, about in area and at an elevation of 914 m. The Victoria Nile flows through the lake on its way from Lake Victoria to Lake Albert. The main inflow from Lake Victoria is regulated by the Nalubaale Power Station in Jinja. Another source of water...
to Soroti
Soroti
Soroti is the main municipal, commercial and administrative centre of Soroti District in Eastern Uganda, lying near Lake Kyoga. It is known for the rock formation near the town as well as a variety of Muslim mosques, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras as well as several churches that meet in various...
. At Soroti, it would be loaded on to railway wagons for transportation by rail to Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, on the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, for export. Imported goods and merchandise were transported along the same route, in reverse.
When the East African Railways Corporation was dissolved in the 1970s, Butiaba's prominence declined and the harbour remained dormant until now. Recently, a significant amount of petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
deposits have been discovered in the ground and under the lake near Butiaba. There are considerations to revive Butiaba Harbour, to play a role in the transportation of equipment, manpower and petroleum, as Uganda develops her nascent oil industry.
Landmarks
The landmarks within the town limits or close to the edges of town include:- Butiaba Port - During the first half of the 20th century, was a principle route of export for produce from eastern Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
and South SudanSouth SudanSouth Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more... - Lake Albert - One of the lakes in the Western Rift Valley; the International border between DRCDemocratic Republic of the CongoThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
and UgandaUgandaUganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
runs through it.