# Arua District

Arua District is a district in the Northern Region of Uganda. Like many Ugandan districts, it too shares its name with its administrative center of Arua. The name Arua is said to be derived from the Lugbara name for prison (Arujo) and prisoner (Aru), since the white settlers (Belgians and later British) had a detention center at Arua Hill.

## Location

Arua District is bordered by Yumbe District to the north, Adjumani District to the northeast, Amuru District to the east, Nebbi District to the southeast, Zombo District to the southwest, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west, and Maracha District to the northwest. The district headquarters at Arua are located about 425 kilometres (264 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. The coordinates of the district are:03 00N, 31 10E.

## Ethnicities

The largest ethnic group in the district is the Lugbara people.

## Overview

Arua District got its name from Arua town. In the late 1970s, the Ugandan president at the time Godfrey Binaisa declared that all districts/provinces acquire their names from their regional capital so that is how Arua district inherited the name from Arua town. The district originally included Aringa County, which was later split off to become Yumbe District.
The district is the birthplace of former President Idi Amin. Arua District was a springboard for some units of the Uganda People's Defense Force who entered the DRC at the beginning of the Second Congo War.
Arua District is a peaceful district save for the disruption caused in the late 1990s by the Lord's Resistance Army rebels on the Karuma-Pakwach road that provides the main road link into the district. In 2005, the northeastern part of the district was split off as the separate, new district of Koboko District.
Arua District has five counties after three of the original six counties were split off. Koboko was granted district status. Maracha was, in 2006, also granted district status, (Maracha District). Initially, Terego County was also included in Maracha District (Maracha-Terego District). However, failing to agree on were the new district headquarters should be located, Terego County opted to remain part of the larger Arua District. Later, Terego and Madi-Okollo were each offered district statuses effective July 2020. The remaining counties in Arua District are: Vurra and Ayivu; where the Arua District headquarters are located.

## Population

The 1991 national census estimated the population of the district at about 368,200. In 2002, the national census gave a population estimate of 559,100, with an annual growth rate of 4 percent. In 2012, the population of Arua District was estimated at 776,700.

## Economic activities

Located in a corner of the country that borders both South Sudan and the DRC, a significant amount of local economic activity is the result of cross-border trade. Agriculture is the backbone of Arua District's economy:

### Food and cash crops

* Groundnuts
* Beans
* Maize
* Millet
* Simsim
* Mangoes
* Avocado
* Cassava
* Matooke
* Flowers
* Tobacco

### Domesticated livestock and other fauna

* African goats
* Boer goats
* Hybrid goats
* Broilers
* Layers
* Fish farming
* Pigs
* Bee keeping
Due to a high influx of refugees from South Sudan (estimated at 50,000 at one time), the natural environment in the district has been severely stressed, causing deforestation in some areas. The refugee population extensively engages in the growth of tobacco to raise cash for survival putting severe pressure on land leaving the land bare due to deforestation
In 2008 and 2009, honey is steadily replacing tobacco as a leading income stream, with a ready international market. Piggery is also on the increase in the district. The district produces about 30 tons of fish from over 600 private fish farms and from the River Nile. The district has about 117,000 head of local Zebu cattle. However the district milk output remains low.
The biggest asset of the district is perhaps the continued prevalence of peace and security for the last 25 years and denunciation of rebellion which has attracted many developmental projects. Major achievements include infrastructural transformation such as the tarmacking of the Arua to Karuma Highway, the West Nile Rural Electrification Project and numerous telephone communication networks that have been established in the region. During 2013, the tarmacking of the Vurra-Arua-Koboko-Oraba Road began.

## Languages

* English.
* Lugbara.
* Kiswahili.
* French.
* Arabic.
* kakwa.
* And many more local dialects.

## Schools in Arua District
### Secondary schools

* Adumi Secondary School
* All Saints Secondary School Ociba
* Alliance Global College
* Anyafio Role Model SS
* Anyavu Secondary School
* Aria Secondary School
* Aripea Secondary School
* Arivu Secondary School
* Arua Academy
* Arua Hall
* Arua Islamic Secondary School
* Arua Progressive College
* Arua Public Secondary School
* Arua Secondary School
* Arua Town College Girls SS
* Arua Town Secondary School
* Bishop Angelo Tarantino Memorial SS
* Bondo Army Secondary School
* Cornerstone Secondary School, Arua
* Ediofe Girls Secondary School
* Ejome Secondary School
* Hillside Secondary School
* Hilston Prince And Princess SS
* Imvepi SS
* Jaden Memorial Secondary School
* Katrini Secondary School
* Latibo F Secondary School
* Logiri Girls Secondary School
* Mandela Comprehensive SS, Arua
* Manibe Public Secondary School
* Micu Secondary School
* Modern Secondary School Ocoko
* Mt Wati Secondary School
* Muni Girls Secondary School
* Mvara Secondary School
* Najah Muslim Secondary School
* Nile High School, Odianyadri
* Yole Polytechnic (secondary Section)
* The Pearl Secondary School Arua
* Ushindu Secondary School
* Oluko Secondary School
* Ombatini Secondary School
* Oriajini Secondary School
* Otumbari Secondary School
* Owaffa Secondary School
* Sartori Memorial High School Obi
* Joseph S College Ombaci
* Micheals Odromacaku
* Peters Ajia Secondary School
* Peters Secondary School Odupi
* augustine Secondary School, Kuluva
* thereza High School, Ocodri
* Standard College, Arua
* Peter & Paul Pokea Seminary
* Wandi Progressive Secondary School
* Wilifi Comprehensive Secondary School
* Vurra Secondary School

### Primary schools

* Aanga Primary School
* Abia P7 School
* Abiki Primary School
* Abiki PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* Abindi Parents Primary School
* Abira Parents Primary School
* Abiria Primary School
* Addu Primary School
* Adravu P School Arua Logiri
* Adravu P7 School
* Afeya Primary School
* Airfield Model School Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ajiraku Primary School
* Ajivu Primary School
* Ajono Primary School
* Akara Hill PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Akua Primary School
* Al- Hilal PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Aliba Primary School
* Alio Primary School
* Alive PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Al-Jaria PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Alpha Primary School
* Alpha PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Altus PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Alua P7 School
* Ambeko P7 School
* Anava PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Arivu
* Angazi Primary School
* Anguru Parents PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Arivu
* Ania Primary School
* Anyafio Primary School
* Anyara Cope School
* Anyavu Primary School
* Anyavu PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Anzuu PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Archbishop Odama John PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Aria Primary School
* Ariavu Primary School
* Aripea Primary School
* Aripezu Primary School
* Arivu Child Care PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Arivu
* Arivu Primary School
* Arivu PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Arivu
* Ariwa Primary School
* Aroi Primary School
* Arua Demo School
* Arua Hill Primary School
* Arua Integrated PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Arua International School Arua City Arua Central Division
* Arua Islamic Institute
* Arua Monessori Primary School
* Arua Parents Primary School
* Arua Primary School
* Arua Prisons Primary School
* Arua Public Primary School
* Arua Victorious PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Asuru Primary School
* Ave Primary School
* Ave PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Awaliyo Primary School
* Awika Primary School
* Awindiri Primary School
* Ayaa Primary School
* Ayayia Primary School
* Ayayia PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* Ayelembe Primary School
* Ayiova Primary School
* Ayiova PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Baman PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Bayan Primary School
* Bayan PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Belia Primary School
* Bendulu P School Arua Logiri
* Bendulu P7 School
* Bibia Primary School
* Bidi Primary School
* Bilal Junior School Arua City Arua Central Division
* Binze Primary School
* Blessed Comboni Primary School
* Blessed Comboni PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Bondo Primary School
* Bongova Primary School
* Bradford Junior
* Bradford Junior Arua City Ayivu Division
* Bridge International Academy Adalaf Arua City Ayivu Division
* Bright Academy
* Bright Academy Giligili PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Bright Angels PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Bright Destiny PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Bright Horizon Primary School
* Bright Junior PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Bright Primary School
* Bright PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Bright View Primary School
* Brilliant Model PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Budrabe P7 School
* Burua Primary School
* Chakai Primary School
* Charles Lwanga Primary School
* Chiaba Cope Primary School
* Chiaba P7 School
* Children Of Hope PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Christ The King Primary School
* Christ The King PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Cilio Primary School
* Cinya Primary School
* City Star PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Cornerstone Primary School
* Dadawu Parents PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* Daniel Preparatory
* Driciri Primary School
* Dubai View PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* Ebenezar PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Ebenezar PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ebenezer Primary School
* Ebenezer PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Eceko Primary School
* Eden Glorious PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Ediofe Boys’ P7 School
* Ediofe Girls P7 School
* Ejirikombeni Primary School
* Ejirikombeni PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Ejome Primary School
* Ekarakafe Primary School
* Eku Primary School
* El- Shadai PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Elefe Primary School
* Eleku Primary School
* Endreku Primary School
* Endru Primary School
* Enzeva Primary School
* Erewa Primary School
* Eruba PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Esther PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Etori Kindergarten PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Etori Primary School
* Etswaám PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ewadri Primary School
* Ewava Primary School
* Ezuku P7 School
* Fauz PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Fee P7 School
* Firm Foundation PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Freedom PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Future Foundation School Arua City Ayivu Division
* Generation PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Gila Islamic PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Giligili Primary School
* God`S Will PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* God's Grace PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Golden Child Arua City Arua Central Division
* Golden Treasure Primary School
* Green Land PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Green World PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Greenland PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Happy Day Primary School
* High Scope Primary School
* High Scope PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Highway Junior Arua City Ayivu Division
* Hillside Primary School
* Hilstone PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Hirai Islamic Primary School
* Homing Dove Inter Primary School
* Hope Kebir Primary School
* Hope Kebir PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Hope PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Hopeway International PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ibia Primary School
* Ibn Aba Primary School
* Ibn Abas PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Ikhla Islamic Centre
* Ikhla Islamic Centre Arua City Arua Central Division
* Illi Primary School
* Imam Muslim Primary School
* Imam Muslim PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Imvepi Primary School
* Intensive Care Primary School
* Inyau P7 School
* Ipa Primary School
* Isaac Foundation PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Jiako Primary School
* Jildo Primary School
* Jude Golden Stars’ Primary School
* Kaigo Primary School
* Katrini Primary School
* Kayia Primary School
* Kayia PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* Ketekele P School Arua Logiri
* Ketekele P7 School
* Kijoro – Odrua Primary School
* King Jesus PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Kings Primary School
* Kiridoaku Primary School
* Kizito Adiofe Orphanage School
* Kova Primary School
* Kubo Primary School
* Kuluva Hosp Primary School
* Kuluva Hospital PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Landon Junior PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Lazebu Primary School
* Lebu Luzira Primary School
* Lenua Community Primary School
* Leo Education Centre
* Liberty Academy Arua City Arua Central Division
* Lindoa Primary School
* Lini Primary School
* Liria Primary School
* Lolia Community PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Longamere Primary School
* Lufe Cope Centre Primary School
* Lugbari Primary School
* Luvu Primary School
* Mary's Primary School Nyiovura
* Mbaro Primary School
* Mbaro PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Merry Land Junior Academy Arua City Arua Central Division
* Micu Primary School
* Mingoro Primary School
* Mofame Mother Goose Primary School
* Mofame Arua Logiri
* Mother Goose PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Mother Mary Junior PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Mother Tina Education Centre Arua City Ayivu Division
* Muni Primary School
* Mutte Primary School
* Mvara Corner Curve
* Mvara Junior Primary School
* Mvara Primary School
* Mvara PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Mwara Corner Curve PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Najah Islamic Primary School
* Ndirea Primary School
* Ngaziku Primary School
* Nile Demonstration Primary School
* Niva Primary School
* Noah Ark Int School Arua City Ayivu Division
* Nyio Primary School
* Nyirivu Primary School
* Oasis PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Obaru Primary School
* Obaru PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* Obayia Primary School
* Obi Primary School
* Obiyu Primary School
* Ocea Primary School
* Oci Primary School
* Ociba Hill PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ociba Islamic P7 School
* Ociba P7 School
* Ocoko Primary School
* Odobu Primary School
* Odravu Cope Centre
* Odruva Primary School
* Oduluba P7 School
* Odupi Primary School
* Oje Primary School
* Ojipaku Primary School
* Ojuku Hill Primary School
* Okavu PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Okazara Primary School
* Okpova Primary School
* Okpova PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Arivu
* Olaka PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Oleni Primary School
* Oli Primary School
* Oliba P School Arua Logiri
* Oliba P7 School
* Olua Cope
* Olua Green Hill Primary School
* Olua Primary School
* Ombaci Primary School
* Ombaci Satellite Primary School
* Ombaderuku Primary School
* Ombatini P7 School
* Ombokoro Primary School
* Omiro Parents Primary School
* Omiro Parents PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Omugo Primary School
* Onai Primary School
* Onduparaka Primary School
* Oninia P7 School
* Onzivu P7
* Onzua Primary School
* Opia Primary School
* Oprah Jayden PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Orawa Primary School
* Oreku Primary School
* Oriajini P7 School
* Oriama Community Primary School
* Orozo PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Orube PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Orukurua Hill Primary School
* Osio Primary School
* Otumbari Primary School
* Ovisoni Hill PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Owaffa Primary School
* Owayi Primary School
* Oyoo Primary School
* Oyoo PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Oyoze Primary School
* Ozu Primary School
* Pajuru Primary School
* Pajuru PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Palm Tree Academy
* Perea Primary School
* Peters Primary School
* Philips Primary School
* Piffer Italo Foundation Primary
* Pokea Primary School
* Queens & Kings Primary School
* Ragem Junior Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ragem Primary School
* Riki Primary School
* Ringili Primary School
* Rock Foundation PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Royal Primary School
* Royal PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Ruva P7 Primary School
* Sir Andrews Primary School
* Sirip Primary School
* Smart Primary School
* Soa Primary School Springs Primary School
* Soa PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Charles Lwanga PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Gregory Narrow Gate PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Jildo PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St John Bongova PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* St John's PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Jude Golden Stars PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Juliana PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Kizito PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Arivu
* St Leo Education Centre Arua City Arua Central Division
* St Mary's PRIMARY SCHOOL Nyiovura Arua City Ayivu Division
* St Marys PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* St Peter's Happiness PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* St Peters PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Star Primary School
* Star PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Steiner Primary School
* Supiri P7 School Swalihin Primary School
* Tawakal PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Arua Central Division
* Tere Hill Community Primary School
* Tere Hill Community PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Ajia
* The Rising Star Primary School
* The Rising Star PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Tilevu Primary School
* Torit P7 School
* Trinity Junior Arua City Arua Central Division
* Tropical Junior School Arua City Arua Central Division
* Trust Education Services Arua City Ayivu Division
* Tuku Primary School
* Tumvea Primary School
* Uguvu Primary School
* Urugbo Primary School
* Ushindi Primary School
* Venturei Primary School
* Venturi Child Dev’t Parents School Arua City Ayivu Division
* Venturi PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua City Ayivu Division
* Victoria New Vision PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Logiri
* Victorious Junior School -Arua Arua Vurra
* Vurra Comm Prog PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Vurra Cope Centre Primary School
* Waffe Primary School
* Wandi P7 School
* Wandi Progressive Pt School
* Wanguru Hill Primary School
* Wani Roel PRIMARY SCHOOL Arua Vurra
* Wati Primary School
* Yacha Community Primary School
* Yelulu Primary School
* Yetemaye Primary School
* Yiddu Primary School
* Yole Primary School
* Yoro Primary School
* -Ombachi primary school
* Esther generation Primary Schools

## Radio station in Arua district

* 88.7 Arua One FM. FM 88.7. Arua, Uganda.
* Radio Pacis. FM 94.5. Arua, Uganda.
* Voice Of Life FM 100.9. FM 100.9. Arua, Uganda.
* Radio Pacis 90.9. FM 90.9. Arua, Uganda.
* Access 96.3FM. FM 96.3. Arua, Uganda.