Mpigi, Uganda

Capital City

Mpigi is an important transit hub, but don't let the central location fool you - the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. With a population of 49,500 as of 2020, this town is the administrative and commercial center of Mpigi District. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates the population grew by 2.29% annually between 2015 and 2020, reaching over 43,000 residents by 2014. While Mpigi is home to government offices, courts, and a military presence, the town is better known as the capital of drum factories, where all drums are handmade. If you don't mind wading through red tape, Mpigi could be a convenient base to access the surrounding districts, but it's hardly a destination in itself.