Chitambo District Profile

Chitambo district was established by the Government of the Republic of Zambia on 6th December 2012, after detaching it from mother district – Serenje. The district was established to enhance and increase efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of local authority services in the province.

The district occupies the total surface area of approximately 30,000 hectares of land, laying between latitude 12˚ 00” and 13˚ 15” South of the equator and between 29˚45” and 31˚00” East of the Greenwich Meridian. The district shares borders with Lavushimanda in the North, Serenje in the South and East, and Milenge in the West and Samfya in the Northwest and is about 357km north of Kabwe, the Provincial headquarters along the Great North Road. Besides sharing the boarders with other districts, Chitambo district shares boarders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The district has ten wards namely: Chitambo, Muchinka, Chalilo, Mpelembe, Luombwa, Chipundu, Lusenga, Nakatambo, Katonga and Lulimala. Surrounding the district are three rivers; Luapula, Mulembo and Luombwa rivers which are important sources of water to humans and animals as well as fishing activities.

According to the 2022 District Health Office, Chitambo district has a total population of 66,553 with a growth rate of 2.2%. Out of this population 33,077 representing 49.7% of the total population were males and 33,476 representing 50.3% of the total population were females.

Traditional leadership has an extent of influence within its areas of jurisdiction although this is more apparent among tribal lines. The main ethnic groupings are the Lalas, Bisas and Swakas traditionally under chiefdoms such as Chief Chitambo and Chief Muchinka. Lala tribe is the only indigenous and most prominent tribal group found in the district. Bemba is another language mostly spoken in the area. Some areas are still dominated by traditional housing and other ancillary uses.

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