Jinja (Uganda)
Facts and figures
Origin of link: 1963 Finchley Borough Council- Location: Lake Victoria/River Nile - SE Uganda
- History: Founded 1901
- Population size: 105,760 (Projected residents), 200,000 (day population)
- Age: 2.5% above 55 years old
- Political make-up: No party system at present
Jinja in detail
The link between the former Borough of Finchley and Jinja was formed in 1963. Uganda was granted self-government in 1962 and the link was probably established to help this process.
Finchley received local government officers from Uganda and was instrumental in their training. In 1964 the council agreed to continue the twinning, but the following year decided to retain correspondence links only.
Jinja is the second largest town in Uganda, with a population of 105,760 (projected residents), 200,000 (day population). 2.5% of these are above 55 years old. It was founded in 1901 as a colonial administrative centre and became a municipality in 1957. It is the capital of the Jinja region.
The town is located at the point where the river Nile flows out of Lake Victoria, at an altitude of over 3,700 feet above sea level.
Jinja is an exception to Uganda's generally agricultural economy: it is situated close to a major hydro-electric power station and supports metal founding industry as well as industries associated with processing the produce of the surrounding region, including textile manufacture, tobacco production and brewing.
The population of this part of Uganda is mostly of Bantu extraction. Most people adhere to one of the Christian faiths but there is a substantial Islamic minority. Both birth and death rates are high. There are few elderly people, and in general, income levels are very low.
