The district headquarters at Manafwa are located approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi), by road, south-east of Mbale, the largest city of in the sub-region.

The total surface area of the district is estimated at 602.1 square kilometres (232.5 sq mi).

[2] In 2006, the northern part of Manafwa District was carved off to form Bududa District.

[3] It is made up of 1 county and 18 rural sub-counties, 4 town councils, 3 traditional divisions (Buwagogo, Bugobero and Butiru), 81 parishes and 862 villages.

The 2002 census estimated the population at 262,600 inhabitants.