Location

Lamwo District is one of the districts in the Northern region of Uganda. It is bordered by Amuru district in the North West, the Republic of South Sudan in the North, Gulu district in the south west, Kitgum District in the East and South East and part of Pader District in the South. It lies between latitude 2-4 degrees and longitude 30-32 degrees with an average altitude of 1,100 m above sea level. Lamwo District headquarters are situated at Ongalo village, Ogwech Parish in Lamwo town council 472 km away from Kampala.

Land Area

Lamwo district has a total land area of 5,588.3 Sq Km; 90 percent of the District is arable and 10 percent of the land area is covered by Inselburgs and small rivers.

Topography

The relief of Lamwo District consists of complex low landscape with relatively uniform topography marked by few sharp contrasts like Agoro hills, Latolim hill, Lamwo hill, Lalak hill and others. Generally, the altitude ranges between 1000-1200 meters above sea level but is generally higher in the North where there are series of mountain ranges and slopes gently to the west and south west.

Vegetation

The vegetation in Lamwo is mainly of woody Savannah characterized by woody cover and grass layer. The dominant grasses are Hypanthernia, Penicum, brachania and Seteria. Acacia cambrelium constitutes the dominant tree. The District is drier in the northeast and covers parts of Madi Opei, Paloga and Agoro Sub Counties.

Soil

The soil type in Lamwo Varies with locality but is generally well-drained sandy, Clay, Loam and sand clay. In some places, Foresails soil exist; these are strongly weathered and generally with low fertility. It covers much of the district Gleysols: These are poorly drained soils, liable to water logging.

Climate

Lamwo District has tropical type of climate characterized by dry and rainy seasons. The district receives average annual rainfall of 1500mm. Rain starts in late March or early April and ends in November. Rainfall is bimodal with peaks in April and August. It is dry-hot and windy from December to mid-March. The average monthly maximum temperature is 270 c and average monthly minimum temperature is 170 c.

Mineral Resources

The effect of tectonic movement has led to emergency of Tors and inselburgs especially along the extreme North Eastern sides of the district. Geological surveys were carried out in the district and some minerals were found to exist. Limestone deposit was found in Lalak hill in the border of Lokung and Padibe Sub Counties.

Map of Lamwo District