Kiryandongo, the location of the district headquarters, lies approximately 225 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.

Kiryandongo District was established on 1 July 2010.

The districts that constitute Bunyoro sub-region include the following: 1.

In 2002, the sub-region was home to an estimated 750,000 inhabitants, according to the national population and household census conducted that year.

The 1991 Uganda national census estimated the district population at 83,405.