At Independence in 1962, Rukungiri District was part of the Kigezi District.  In 1974, Rukungiri District was created under the auspices of taking services nearer to the people.  By then it was called North Kigezi District until 1980 when the name was changed to Rukungiri District.  It is one of the 14 districts that were selected in 1993 for the second phase of decentralization.  Since its creation and particularly after decentralization, the district has gone through significant successes to establish itself on a firm ground especially with regard to improved management and planning capacity and participation of communities in the development process. In 2001, the greater Rukungiri gave birth to Kanungu district thus reducing the district to only 2 counties; Rujumbura and Rubabo.