| Official Name: | Muhanga |
| Pushpin Map: | Uganda |
| Pushpin Label Position: | top |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Uganda |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Uganda |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Western Uganda |
| Subdivision Type2: | Sub-region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kigezi sub-region |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Rukiga District |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | James Twijukye[1] |
| Established Date: | 1 July 2010 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Population As Of: | 2014 Census |
| Population Total: | 11706 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities |
| Population Blank2 Title: | Religions |
| Coordinates: | -1.1711°N 30.1242°W |
Muhanga is a town in the Western Region of Uganda. It is the main commercial centre and largest town of Rukiga District. However, the district headquarters are located at Mparo.[2]
Muhanga is located on the Mbarara-Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna Road, about 43km (27miles), southwest of Ntungamo, the nearest large town on the road from Katuna to Mbarara.[3] This is about 35.5km (22.1miles), by road, northeast of Kabale, the largest city in the Kigezi sub-region.[4] Muhanga is approximately 374km (232miles), by road, southwest of Kampala, the largest city and capital of Uganda.[5] The geographical coordinates of Muhanga, Rukiga are: 01°10'16.0"S, 30°07'27.0"E (Latitude:-1.171111; Longitude:30.124167).
The town is subdivided into several wards, including (a) Muhanga Central (b) Butare (c) Highland (d) Nyakabungo and (e) Rutare.[1] Muhanga became a town council in 2010. Prior to that, it was a trading center, established in the 1970s. Due to its proximity to the international border with Rwanda, smuggling of goods across the common border has contributed to its rapid growth.[1] The smuggling has since stopped, according to James Tumwijukye, the town's current mayor.[1]
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), as of the August 2014 national census and household survey, Muhanga Town Council comprised 2,766 households. The average family size was 4.1, with a total of 5,87 males and 5,859 females in the town. The total population of the town at that time was 11,706 people.[6]
Muhanga has a central fresh produce market that opens daily. The town is also home to Bukinda Primary Teacher’s College, eight primary schools and six secondary schools.[1]