| Usa River | |
| Nickname: | Meru's capital |
| Settlement Type: | Ward of Meru District |
| Coordinates: | -3.3713°N 36.8583°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Arusha Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Meru District |
| Established Title: | Ward |
| Seat Type: | Headquarters |
| Area Total Km2: | 27.6 |
| Population As Of: | 2012 |
| Population Total: | 23,437 |
| Population Demonym: | Usa Rivan |
| Postal Code Type: | Tanzanian Postal Code |
| Postal Code: | 23301 |
| Demographics Type1: | Ethnic groups |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Settler |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Swahili, Chagga & Arusha |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Ancestral |
| Demographics1 Info2: | Rwa |
Usa River also known locally as Ussa (Kata ya Usa River in Swahili) is an administrative ward of the Meru District in the Arusha Region of Tanzania. It is the seat of Meru District. To the north and west, the ward is surrounded by the wards of Nkoaranga, Poli, and Seela Sing'isi. To the south and east, respectively, are the wards of Kikwe and Maroroni, and Maji ya Chai.[1] As of 2012, Usa River ward had a population of 23,437.[2]
The postal code for Usa River Ward is 23301.[3] The ward is divided into the following neighborhoods (Mitaa):
Like every other ward in the country, the ward has local government offices based on the population served. The Usa River Ward administration building houses a court as per the Ward Tribunal Act of 1988, including other vital departments for the administration of the ward.[4] The ward has the following administration offices:
In the local government system of Tanzania, the ward is the smallest democratic unit. Each ward comprises a committee of eight elected council members, including a chairperson, one salaried officer (with no voting rights), and an executive officer. One-third of seats are reserved for women councilors.[5]
The ward houses the district headquarters and serves as the tourism center for Meru District. Kennedy House School, Kili Flora Farms, and River Trees Country Inn are all in the ward.[6]
The ward serves as the Rwa people's ancestral home, along with much of the district. As the city developed over time, the ward became a cosmopolitan ward.[7]
The ward is home to these educational institutions: