Mbeya Region Website

Chunya District Council is among eight Councils in Mbeya region, others being Mbeya City, Mbeya District, Mbarali, Kyela, Rungwe, Mbozi and Ileje.  Historically, Chunya is the first and oldest District in Mbeya Region; it was well-known since 1938 during colonial time. The accessibility, abundant arable land, available infrastructure, and good governance, peace and harmony create good environment for investments by both local and foreign investors. Imperative areas for investment are identified in the profile

 

The population of Chunya District was 206,615 in 2002 (Source: Population and Housing Census, 2002). This accounted for about 9.8% of the total regional population. The population in 2002 consisted of 103,762 males (50.2%) and 102,853 females (49.8%). Currently, population has increased to 249,535 with 126,244 males and 123,291 females. (Source: Mbeya region population projection). The average household size was estimated to be about 4.5 persons and the dependency ratio was 92 (i.e. number of children and elderly as ratio every 100 persons in the working 15- 64 age group).

Chunya District is divided into 4 Divisions consisting of 23 Administrative wards. The Administrative Structure includes Village Governments, Ward Development Committees and the District Council.

Chunya ethnic groups are Kimbu and Bungu. Others are Safwa, Nyakyusa, Nyamwezi, Sukuma, Barbaig, Songwe, Nyiha, Kinga and Hehe.

 

Chunya covers an area of 29,219km2  which almost 46.9% of total area of Mbeya Region. The District is located in the Northwest part of Mbeya Region.  It lies between 70 and 90 latitudes South of the equator and between 320 and 340 Longitudes East of Greenwich.  In the northern part it borders to Manyoni District (Singida Region) and Sikonge District (Tabora Region), to the east it borders Mbarali Districts, to the south it borders Mbozi and Mbeya Districts, and to the west it borders Mpanda and Sumbawanga Districts (Rukwa Region) and Lake Rukwa.

Chunya District is covered by Rift Valley, Water bodies, Mountains and hilly landscapes with altitudes from 800-1500m above sea level.  

Chunya District has a climate with an average temperature ranging from 21?C to 23?C.  The mean rainfall ranges from 600-1000mm per year with heavy rainfall from December to March.  (Source: Chunya District Planning Office, 2008)

Chunya District covers 46.9% of Mbeya Region surface area.  It has an area of 29,219km2 in which  79% is arable land (only 2% is under cultivation), 1% forest reserve, 7% game reserve, 4% water body and 9% others, as the table below shows.

The District is interconnected with good road network of 988.8 km giving easy access within and outside the District. The main road connecting Chunya and other Districts is gravel road which is well maintained and passable through-out the year. Also the District is easily accessible via small charter planes.

The District is connected by National Electricity Grid which provides reliable power supply. 

There is one commercial bank, National Microfinance Bank (NMB) located at Chunya town with ATM services. Also there are branches of Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA); Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) which offers more than 169 lines, Post office, Sub- branch of ZAIN, Mining Residence Office, TANESCO and Chunya Water Supply Authority (CHUWSA).