Buea is a city located in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, a country in Central Africa. It is the capital of the Southwest Region and is situated at the foot of Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Central and West Africa. Buea had a population of approximately 300,000 people in 2013 and is known for its mild climate and beautiful scenery.

Located in Fako Division, it was formerly the capital of German Kamerun during the colonial era and later became the capital of British Southern Cameroons after World War I. After Cameroon gained independence in 1961, Buea became the capital of the Southwest Region.

Today, Buea is home to several universities, including the University of Buea and the Catholic University of Cameroon, and is considered to be an educational hub in Cameroon. The city is also known for its cultural festivals, including the Mount Cameroon Cultural and Tourist Festival, which celebrates the culture and traditions of the people of Buea and the surrounding regions.

History

Buea, which was originally named “bue” by a hunter from the Bomboko area, was founded on the Bomboko side of the mountain. The hunter was amazed by the new land and named it “a Bue,” which literally means “son of bué.” One of the most famous historical events in Buea is the clash between a prominent King of the Tikar and German troops during the invasion. The resistance put up by the King remains popular folklore. Buea is currently ruled by the Endeleys and tea growing is an important local industry, particularly in Tole.

Buea served as the colonial capital of German Kamerun from 1901 to 1919 and was the capital of the Southern Cameroons from 1949 until 1961. It also served as the capital of West Cameroon until 1972 when Ahmadou Ahidjo abolished the Federation of Cameroon. During the eruption of Mount Cameroon from 28 April until June 1909, the German colonial administration in Buea was temporarily suspended.

Initially, Buea’s population mainly consisted of the Bakweri people, but due to its status as a university town and regional capital, there are now significant numbers of other ethnic groups residing in the area.

Universities in Buea

Buea, located in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, is home to several universities. Some of the universities in Buea are:

1. University of Buea (UB): This is a public university established in 1993. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study such as social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering.
2. Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC): This is a private university founded in 2005. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, engineering, and health sciences.
3. Higher Institute of Commerce and Management (HICM): This is a private higher education institution offering programs in fields such as management, accounting, and finance.
4. Saint Monica University (SMU): This is a private university founded in 2012. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, engineering, and health sciences.
5. National Polytechnic Buea (NPB): This is a public higher education institution offering programs in fields such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.
6. Cameroon Christian University (CCU): This is a private university established in 2008. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and health sciences.