Katima Mulilo

Katima Mulilo (Name derived from SiLozi, meaning 'quenches the fire', in reference to nearby rapids) is a town that serves as the administrative center and capital of the Caprivi Strip Region of Namibia. Located on the Zambezi River, it was established by the British colonial authorities in 1935 to replace the former German town of Schuckmannsburg, which was the regional capital when Caprivi was part of German South-West Africa. This function was transferred to Katima Mulilo in 1937. The town has a population of 22,700 (2001).

In August 1999 Namibian government installations around the town and other strategic locations in Caprivi were attacked by an armed separatist group calling themselves the "Caprivi Liberation Army". In the build-up and aftermath of the crisis some 2 thousand people including several leading figures of the separatists fled Caprivi to Botswana in fear of reprisals by Namibian security forces. Since then the town and region have been calm and the separatist leaders are largely dead, in exile or on trial in Namibian courts on charges of high treason.

Transport

Roads

The Katima Mulilo Bridge spans the Zambezi River here, taking the TransCaprivi Highway to Sesheke in Zambia.

Railways

In October 2007, a proposal was announced for a railway connection between Namibia and Zambia passing through Katima Mulilo. [ [http://railwaysafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1835&Itemid=35 Railways Africa - NEW NAMIBIAN EXTENSION ] ]

The line would join Grootfontein to Katima Mulilo then 130km to Mulobezi with an 80km upgrade of the line to Livingstone.

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References