Mkalama District Council was established in July, 2012. This is one of the newly
established councils which are in line with the Government commitment of ensuring that
provision of goods and services is brought closer to the beneficiaries, i.e. local people.
Mkalama District Council was therefore born after having divided the former Iramba
District Council into two independent Councils namely Mkalama and Iramba District
Councils.
Mkalama District is bordered to the north by Simiyu Region and Arusha Region, to the east by Manyara Region, to the south by Singida Rural District and to the west by Iramba District.
According to the 2012 Tanzania National Census, the population of Mkalama District was 188,733
Location (Geographical setting)
Mkalama District Council is one among six councils forming Singida Region namely
Singida District Council, Manyoni District Council and Singida Municipal Council, Iramba
District Council and Ikungi District Council. Mkalama is situated in the North of the region
between latitudes 4o and 4.30o south of the Equator and longitudes 34o and 35o east of
Greenwich Meridian. The district is divided into three major zones, the eastern low land
and the central – lowlands. The central zone is covered with hills and plateau with an
altitude of 1,000m to 1,500m above sea level, with sandy loam soils. The eastern zone
comprises at lowlands along the Great Rift Valley with scattered hills with red, black and
sandy loam soils. It mounts an altitude of 1,000m to 1,500m above sea level. Mkalama
District Council covers an area of 3,365.51\ square Kilometers of which 44% is arable
land.
Climate
Despite the variation of climatic conditions throughout the year, the weather is attractive
because of its low altitude. Most of Mkalama area receives early rainfall. This is between
500mm – 850mm per annum. Rainfall usually starts in mid – November up to mid – May.
Rainfall is unimodal and rain season is interrupted by two notable day spells in mid –
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February and mid – March. Temperature on the district ranges from about 15°c in July to
30°c during October.
Socio-Economical Situation
Among major ethnic groups includes Agro-pastoralists, Nomads and Hadzabe. The largest
ethnic group is Agro-pastoralists (The Nyiramba, Nyisanzu and Nyaturu) followed by
Nomads (The Sukuma and Barbaigs) and finally Hadzabe who practices primitive hunting.
The Nomads and Hadzabe create challenging working environment in respect to the health
planning and practices mostly in data recording. This is especially in maternal and child
health. Nomads and Hadzabe are among hard to reach population. Therefore, sustainable
mobiles and outreaches are essential services that enable access of immunization services
to all ethnic groups.
As of 2012, Mkalama District was administratively divided into 14 wards.
Wards
Gumanga
Ibaga
Iguguno
Ilunda
Kikhonda
Kinyangiri
Matongo
Miganga
Mpambala
Msingi
Mwanga
Mwangeza
Nduguti
Nkinto