River Manafwa

0°56′31″N 33°55′12″E / 0.9420°N 33.920°E / 0.9420; 33.920 River Manafwa is a natural river found in Eastern Uganda. The river originates from Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda,^[1][2][3] and traverses the districts of Bududa, Manafwa, Mbale and Butaleja. It joins the Mpologoma river , which empties into Lake Kyoga.^[1][4] The river basin is prone to flooding, which disrupts transportation between the Bududa and Manafwa districts, and has resulted in damage to buildings and deaths.^{[5][3][6][7][8][9][10]}

The River Manafwa basins have for long been of great socialeconomic importance to the population in the region.^[3][11] The river area possess phosphate and iron deposits with quarry sites around the river.^[12] These quarries are a source of income for indigenous people who produce aggregate stones, hardcore and sand mining along the river beds for the construction industry.^[2][12] The river is also a source of water to surrounding areas.^[2]

River Manafwa lies along coordinates of (1.089092, 34.46106) and coordinates of (0.943084, 33.98428).^[13] And it flows along the Uganda - Kenya border in Manafwa district mainly.

Manafwa river falls under the Kyoga Water Management Zone and its characterized by bimodal rainfall (April-June, August-November), extreme flooding leading to high Surface runoff.^[14] The river is also highly sedimented since the surrounding areas have high level vegetation loss resulting into soil erosion.^[15][16]

River Manafwa has both economic and social importance to the community. It provides water for domestic use, irrigation, brick making, sand mining, scenic beauty for tourism.^[17][18]

The river is facing numerous issues related to environmental degradation such as pollution, silting, sedimentation. These problems are due to human activities such as deforestation, and climate change.^[16][19]

• Lake Kyoga
• Mount Elgon
• Butaleja district

• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96402072
• https://manafwa.go.ug/sites/default/files/MANAFWA%20DSA%20FY%202024_25.pdf