Mbeya Region Website

 

Ileje District Council was re- established in 1984 after a series of landmarks that led to the enacting of Local Government Act No. 7 (District Authorities) of 1982. It is one of the eight Councils of Mbeya Region.

 

The population of Ileje District was 109,847 people in 2002 (Source: Population and Housing Census, 2002). The population in 2002 consisted of 58,311 females and 51,536 males. Ileje population projection for 2008 shows 132,463 people of which 63,776 are females and 56,416 are males. The average population growth rate is about 1.5 per annum, which is lower than the national and regional population growth rates of about 2.9% and 2.4% per annum respectively, due to the heavy out- migration in the District. It has a population density of abut 57.6 people per km2.

Ileje District is divided into two divisions: Bulambya and Bundali divisions. The Divisions are subdivided into 16 Wards, 68 villages and 318 Hamlets.

The main ethnic groups in the District are the Wandali and Walambya who reside in Bundali and Bulambya divisions respectively. Other small ethnic groups include the Wamalila, Wanyiha, Wanyamwanga and Wanyakyusa. Most of the ethnic groups are predominantly agriculturalists.

Ileje District is located in the South- Western part of Mbeya region. It lies between latitudes 90141 and 90371 and longitudes 320801 and 330451 East. It is bordered by Kyela District in the East, Rungwe District in the North- East, Mbozi District in the North- West and Mbeya District in the North. Songwe River in the South marks the boundary with the Republic of Malawi. The District covers an area of 1,908km2 

 

Ileje District can be divided into three agro- economic zones. The middle zone lies between 1,300- 1,500 meters above sea level and it is largely found in Bulambya Division. The zone has temperatures ranging from between 26- 320c and receives an annual rainfall of 750- 1,000 mm per annum. The soils of the zone are sandy and relatively poor but suitable for annual crops such as maize, finger millet, groundnuts and beans.

The second agro- economic zone is the North- Eastern Highlands. The Highland lies between 1,500- 1,600 meters above sea level. Here temperature ranges between 16- 200c and the area receives an annual rainfall ranging from 900- 1,200 mm. It has clay soil, which is relatively fertile, and so it is possible to cultivate crops such as coffee, pyrethrum, maize and potatoes. 

The third ecological zone is the High Easter Highlands. It lies between 1,600- 2,500 meters above sea level. It has an average annual rainfall of between 1,500- 2,000 mm. The temperatures range between 18- 220c.

The climate of the District is largely influenced by the relief of the District. It lies between 1,360- 2,500 meters above sea level. The temperatures range from about 160c- 260c, although in some middle lands it may reach about 320c. The annual rainfall ranges between 750- 2,000 mm per annum.

Land Area and Land Use

The district has 101,600 Ha, which are suitable for agriculture. Currently only 56,818 Ha (56 %) of the area are under cultivation. 

The area under food crops production is 46,519.5 Ha while the area under cash crops production is 10,298.5 Ha. 

 

The following are available business services in Ileje District:-