A virtual guide to Uganda, a landlocked country across the equator in Eastern Africa bordering Lake Victoria in the southeast. It is bordered by South Sudan in the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west, Kenya in the east, and by Rwanda and Tanzania in the south.
The country occupies an area of 241,551 km², compared to Uganda is slightly smaller than the UK or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Oregon.
The country’s highest point is Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley (5,110 m), a mountain located in the Rwenzori range within Rwenzori National Park.
Uganda has a population of 34.8 million people, making it the world’s second most populous landlocked country after Ethiopia. The largest city and capital is Kampala. Spoken languages are English (official), Luganda (a major language of Uganda), Swahili, and other native languages.
Background:
Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures.
The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 people. Guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed another 100,000 lives.
The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. During the 1990s the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections.
A constitutional referendum in 2005 cancelled a 19-year ban on multi-party politics and lifted presidential term limits.
(Source: CIA – The World Factbook)
Official Name:
Republic of Uganda
conventional short form: Uganda
Uganda: Swahili for ‘Land of the Ganda’
ISO Country Code: ug
Actual Time: Sat-Feb-11 17:15
Local Time = UTC +3h
Country Calling Code: +256
Capital City: Kampala (pop. 1.2 million)
Other Cities:
Entebbe, Jinja, Lira, Mbale, Mbarara
Government:
Type: No-party “Movement” system.
Constitution: The new Constitution was ratified on 12 July 1995, and promulgated on 8 October 1995.
The Constitution Of The Republic Of Uganda
Geography:
Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya.
Area: 241,500 km² (93,000 sq. mi.)
Terrain: 18% inland water and swamp; 12% national parks, forest, and game reserves; 70% forest, woodland, grassland.
Climate:
In the northeast, semi-arid–rainfall less than 50 cm. (20 in.); in southwest, rainfall 130 cm. (50 in.) or more. Two dry seasons: Dec.-Feb. and June-July.
People:
Nationality: Ugandan(s).
Population: 34.8 million (2014).
Ethnic groups: African 99%, European, Asian, Arab 1%.
Religions: Christian 66%, Muslim 16%, traditional and other 18%.
Languages: English (official); Luganda and Swahili widely used; other Bantu and Nilotic languages.
Literacy: 62%.
Natural resources: Copper, cobalt, limestone.
Agriculture products: Coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers.
Industries: Sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement.
Exports – commodities: coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold
Exports partners: Rwanda 10.7%, UAE 9.9%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9.8%, Kenya 9.7%, Italy 5.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Germany 4.7%, China 4.1% (2015)
Imports – commodities: capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals
Imports partners: Kenya 16.4%, UAE 15.5%, India 13.4%, China 13.1% (2015)
Currency: Uganda Shilling (UGX)
Official Sites of Uganda
The State House
The Official Statehouse Website with Uganda’s Presidency.
Parliament of the Republic of Uganda
Official site of Uganda’s parliament.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda.
Diplomatic Missions
Embassy of Uganda in the U.S.
Washington D.C.
Uganda Diplomatic Missions Abroad
List of Uganda missions worldwide.
Missions in Uganda
List of foreign missions in Uganda.
East African Community (EAC)
Uganda is a member state of EAC a regional intergovernmental organization.
Statistics
Uganda Bureau of Statistics – UBOS
The central statistical office of Uganda.
Maps
Map of Uganda
Political Map of Uganda.
Administrative Map of Uganda
Map showing the administrative regions and districts of Uganda.
Google Earth Uganda
Searchable map/satellite view of Uganda.
Google Earth Kampala
Searchable map/satellite view of Uganda’s capital city.
Political Map of Africa
The 54 countries of Africa.
Map of Africa
A Relief Map of Africa.
News
The Monitor
Uganda independent national news.
The New Vision
Kampala-based online news from Uganda.
The Observer
Ugandan Bi-weekly newspaper headquartered in Kampala.
UG Standard
Uganda online portal with the news.
Arts & Culture
Kibuuka-prints.com
David Kibuuka, contemporary Ugandan Artist.
Nommo Gallery
Contemporary Ugandan visual artists online.
Samite of Uganda
Homepage of Samite, the internationally renowned Ugandan musical artist.
Omweso
Wikipedia article about Omweso, an ancient mancala game played in Uganda.
Business & Economy
Bank of Uganda
Uganda’s national bank.
Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI)
Uganda Investment Authority
The UIA website offering updates on the investment climate and business opportunities in Uganda.
Transportation
Great Lakes Airways
Ugandan cargo airline.
Travel and Tour Consumer Information
Country Guides
Discover Uganda:
Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake, one of the African Great Lakes); Ssese Islands (islands in Lake Victoria); Lake Bunyonyi (freshwater lake); Kasubi Tombs (royal burial grounds);
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (mountain gorillas); Murchison Falls National Park (wildlife and waterfalls); Queen Elizabeth National Park (wildlife between Lake Edward and Lake Katwe, a flooded volcanic crater); Kibale National Park (evergreen rain forest); Lake Mburo National Park (small park but fun); Kidepo Valley National Park (rugged savannah landscape and Mount Morungole)
Tourism in Uganda
Tourism and travel in Uganda.
Buganda
A guide to the south-central region of Uganda.
MyUganda
Uganda-related portal.
Uganda Travel Planner
This Travel Planner has been written for the free-spirited traveller and for those merely seeking information on available tourism services in Uganda.
Hotels
Uganda Hotels
Uganda hotels and lodges listing and booking. Hundreds of accommodation options in all cities.
Education
Makerere University
Commonly referred to as the Ivory Tower, Uganda’s premier institution of learning, Kampala.
Uganda Martyrs University
A Catholic university at Nkozi.
Environment & Nature
Uganda Wildlife Authority
A site about Uganda’s National Parks and Wildlife Reserves.
Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project
Objective of the Project is to restore a healthy, varied lake ecosystem.
History
Uganda’s History
A comprehensive history of Uganda.
Internal Displacement Crisis in Uganda
Article about one of the world’s biggest neglected humanitarian crisis, the conflict in northern Uganda by Global IDP.
Sources and additional Information on Uganda
Africa South of Sahara (Karen Fung) Uganda
GlobalEDGE: Uganda
The Heritage Foundation: Uganda
Human Rights Watch: Uganda
OEC: Uganda
Reporters Without Borders: Uganda
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