Isiro
Encyclopedia
Isiro is the capital of Haut-Uele District
in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
. It lies between the equatorial forest and the savannah and its main resource is coffee. Isiro's population is estimated at approximately 150,000. Most people speak Lingala, but Swahili
is not uncommon.
. The city was developed in 1934 and reached its peak in 1957.
In the troubled days of Congo's independence and its aftermath, operation Black Dragoon brought fighting between Belgian paratroopers and local Simba
militias.
It is the district seat of Haut-Uele, having replaced Bambili, and includes six territories: Dungu
, Faradje
, Niangara
, Rungu, Wamba
, and Watsa
. Isiro is also the birthplace of Marie Daulne, Leader of the group Zap Mama.
, a national airport with flights to Kinshasa, the capital. The isolated narrow-gauge railway to the river port of Bumba
on the Congo River is not currently operational (see Transport in DRC). The dirt roads to and from Isiro allow commercial trade with Uganda and Sudan, in principle, but may be impassable in the wet season.
Haut-Uele District
Haut-Uele District is a district located in Orientale Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic 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...
. It lies between the equatorial forest and the savannah and its main resource is coffee. Isiro's population is estimated at approximately 150,000. Most people speak Lingala, but Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
is not uncommon.
History
Isiro was named Paulis after colonel, later diplomat, Albert Paulis when it was part of the Belgian CongoBelgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
. The city was developed in 1934 and reached its peak in 1957.
In the troubled days of Congo's independence and its aftermath, operation Black Dragoon brought fighting between Belgian paratroopers and local Simba
Simba Rebellion
The Simba Rebellion was a 1964 rebellion in the former Republic of the Congo which began as a result of alleged abuses by the Congolese central government...
militias.
Importance
In 1998, Isiro became the home of a newly created Dominican-operated university called Université d'Uélé. It is the third city in Orientale province (after Kisangani and Bunia) to welcome a university.It is the district seat of Haut-Uele, having replaced Bambili, and includes six territories: Dungu
Dungu Territory
Dungu is a territory in the Haut-Uele District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The administrative center is the town of Dungu, which lies on both sides of the Uele River.The territory is divided into the Ndolomo, Malingindu and Wando chiefdoms....
, Faradje
Faradje Territory
Faradje Territory is an administrative area in the Haut-Uele District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The main town is Faradje, lying on the Dungu River....
, Niangara
Niangara Territory
Niangara Territory is an administrative region in the Haut-Uele District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its headquarters is the town of Niangara, lying on both sides of the Uele River.-Security problems:...
, Rungu, Wamba
Wamba Territory
Wamba Territory is a part of the Haut-Uele District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The administrative center is the town of Wamba.-Mining:...
, and Watsa
Watsa Territory
Watsa Territory is an administrative area in the Haut-Uele District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The administrative center is the town of Watsa.-Security issues:...
. Isiro is also the birthplace of Marie Daulne, Leader of the group Zap Mama.
Transport
Isiro is served by Matari AirportMatari Airport
Matari Airport is an airport in Isiro, Democratic Republic of the Congo....
, a national airport with flights to Kinshasa, the capital. The isolated narrow-gauge railway to the river port of Bumba
Bumba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bumba is a town and river port in Mongala District, in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, lying on the River Congo. As of 2009 it had an estimated population of 107,626.- Transport :...
on the Congo River is not currently operational (see Transport in DRC). The dirt roads to and from Isiro allow commercial trade with Uganda and Sudan, in principle, but may be impassable in the wet season.