It was created out of the eastern part of Kamuli District in 2006.

Kaliro is the site of the district headquarters.

The town of Kaliro is approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Iganga, the nearest large town.

The 2002 Uganda national census put the population at approximately 154,700, of whom 49.5 percent were males and 50.5 percent were females.

The annual population growth rate was calculated at 3.5%.