Masaka

關於Masaka

Masaka is a city in the Buganda Region in Uganda, west of Lake Victoria. The city is the headquarters of Masaka District.

Masaka is approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) to the south-west of Kampala on the highway to Mbarara. The city is close to the Equator. The coordinates of Masaka are 0°20'28.0"S, 31°44'10.0"E. Masaka lies at an average elevation of 1,288 metres (4,226 ft) above sea level.

Masaka was founded as a township in 1953. It became a town council in 1958 and a municipality in 1968.

Masaka, being one of the most developed districts during the conflicts for power that occurred after Ugandan gained its independence, was a strategically important location during the Uganda–Tanzania War (1978–79), and was accordingly garrisoned by Uganda Army troops. These soldiers terrorized the local civilians, prompting most to flee the town. On 23–24 February 1979, the Tanzania People's Defence Force and allied Ugandan rebels attacked the settlement, resulting in the Battle of Masaka. The town was bombarded with artillery, and fell to the Tanzanian-led forces after light resistance. The Tanzanians subsequently levelled...

Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.