Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is relatively a small country located in the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa and lies astride the Equator. The total area of the country is about 241,039 sq.km2 of which about 43,942 sq. km are covered by fresh water bodies and swamps.

Uganda is a country strategically positioned within East and Central Africa, a region that includes some of Africa’s most economically important and resource rich countries with a substantial market and great future potential. The country is land-locked and borders the Sudan to the north, DRC to the west, Kenya to the east and Tanzania and Rwanda to the south.
For the visitor, Uganda offers exceptional diversity combining some of the best features that Africa has to offer. The country lies at the overlap between the tropical East African Savannah and the West African rain-forest zones.

It is a country blessed with contrasting physical features ranging from extensive plains with undulating hills to snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, meandering rivers and spectacular flora and fauna. Seven of Africa’s plant kingdoms are represented in Uganda, which is more than any other country on the continent.

In addition, Uganda ranks among the top ten in the world in terms of the diversity of its mammal groups, bird species, reptiles, amphibians and plant species. Uganda is also the source of the Great River Nile and Africa’s largest fresh water lake, the Lake Victoria. Such is Uganda’s potential in Africa that the former British Premier, Sir Winston Churchill after his many journeys across the length and width of the African continent, concluded that Uganda was indeed the Pearl of Africa. His verdict did not only describe the wealth of Uganda’s resources, but also the peaceful environment and social system in which the people of Uganda lived.

Quick Facts

Country: Republic of Uganda

Land Area: 236,580 sq. km

Population: Approximately 33 million

Capital: Kampala

Time Zone: GMT +3 hrs

Language: The official language is English though Kiswahili is also spoken. English is the official language of Uganda however local languages like Luganda is widely used too. Other international languages like French, German and Chinese are taught in schools and they are hardly spoken save for a few special linguistic tourist guides. No matter the language, Ugandans are always willing to help tourists out of any situation.

As a survival tip, we encourage travelers to try hard and master a few local language phrases such as greetings in Luganda.

Business hours: On week days, Government offices and businesses are usually from 08h00 to 17h30, closing for lunch from 13h00 to 14h00. Bank hours vary from bank to bank but most are open from 08h30 – 16h00 Monday to Friday and from 09h00 – 12h00 on Saturday.

Geography

Situated between the eastern and western part of the Great Rift Valley, land locked Uganda lies astride the equator between latitudes 4°N and 2°S and longitudes 29° and 35°E. It averages about 1,100 metres above sea level. Uganda is bordered to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda in the South west, Tanzania to the south, Kenya in the east and South Sudan in the north.

The total land surface area of Uganda is 236, 580 square Kilometers. Lakes Kyoga, Albert, George, Mburo and Victoria – the world’s second largest fresh water lake and the re known River Nile all cover 25% of Uganda’s total surface. Mt Rwenzori, the highest non volcanic mountain range in Africa has scenic glaciers and todate is still referred to as the Mountains of the Moon. Margherita, the highest peak on Mt Rwenzori is the highest point in Uganda – at 5109 metres. In the south west corner of Uganda are three extinct Volcanic Mountains namely Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura the highest at 4127 metres.

Demographic structure
Total Population (2014 Census) 34.6 million
Female Population (2014) – 51%
Male Population (2014) – 49%
Population Density (2014) 173 persons/km

Religions
Roman Catholic 39.3%
Protestant 32%
Pentecostals / Born Again / Evangelical 11.1%
Muslim 13.7%

Form of State Republic
President: H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Official language: English
Other languages: Swahili, Luganda, Runyankole
Capital City: Kampala
Currency: Uganda Shilling
Time: GMT+ 3

Location and Size
Uganda is located in East Africa and lies across the equator, a bout 800 kilometers inland from the Indian Ocean. It lies between 10 29’ South and 40 12’ North latitude, 290 34 East and 350
0’ East longitude. The country is landlocked, bordered by Kenya a in the East; South Sudan in the North; Democratic Republic of Congo in the West; Tanzania in the South; and Rwanda in South
West. It has a total area of 241,551 square kilometers, of which the land area covers 200,523 square kilometres.

Climate
The country enjoys equatorial climate with plenty of rain and sunshine moderated by the relatively high altitude. In most parts of the country, the mean annual temperatures range from 160 C to
300 C. Nevertheless, the Northern and Eastern regions sometimes experience relatively high temperatures exceeding 300 C and the South Western region sometimes has temperatures
below 160 C.

The Central, Western and Eastern regions have two rainy seasons, from March to May for the first rains, and the second rains from September to November. The Northern region receives
one rainy season from April to October, and the period from November to March has minimal rain. Most of the areas in the country receives between 750 mm and 2,100 mm of rain annually.

The country has loamy soils with varying proportions of sandy and clay. In addition, it has varying vegetation with tropical rain forest vegetation in the South and savannah woodlands and semi-
arid vegetation in the North.

Culture
Uganda has a diverse culture. It encompasses religion, tribe, traditions and beliefs, value systems and language among others. Uganda’s population is made up of different ethnic groups with
unique customs and norms. These play a major role in shaping the behaviour and ways of life of the people in the country. Lately, some of the traditional values have changed due to the
integration of the people as a result of migration and/or intermarriages. Some cultural groupings are headed by traditional kings or chiefs who are not politically elected but have an indirect role
in community governance and moral build up.
Language is one of the uniting factors in any society. In Uganda, while English is the official language, there are a number of other languages spoken. However, Swahili is being promoted
in the spirit of regional integration within the East African Community (EAC). Uganda’s constitution allows freedom of worship. There are various religious groupings in the country.

Education
Uganda’s education system follows a four – tier system. The first tier comprises of seven (7) years of primary education, followed by four (4) years of Ordinary Level secondary education, two (2) years of Advanced Level secondary education and the final tier is three (3) to five (5) years of Tertiary education. Each level is nationally examined and certificates awarded.
The Government introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997 to offer free education at the primary level and later in 2007, Universal Secondary Education (USE) was introduced.
University and Tertiary education are offered by both public and private institutions.

There also exists Informal education in Uganda that aims to serve those persons who did not receive or only partially received formal education. Under the informal system, a range of
practical/hands-on skills are imparted. The Informal system includes Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) programme in Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Adult Basic
Education for Karamoja (ABEK) among others.

Macro Economy
In the early years of Uganda’s independence, the economy was registering impressive economic growth and development. In particular, during the early post-independence period (1962-1966),
the economy grew at an average rate of 6.7 percent per annum. By the end of the 1960’s, commercial agriculture accounted for more than one-third of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whereas industrial output had expanded to nearly nine percent of GDP. The expansion was mainly from the then new food processing industries.

However, the 1970s and early 1980s witnessed a persistent decline in the economy as a result of political instability, poor governance and economic mismanagement. During that period, the
economy experienced hyperinflation partly due to scarcity of consumer goods and a depreciating shilling. This left Uganda among the world’s poorest and least developed countries.

The economic conditions that existed in the 1970s and early 1980s have now abated. Inflation rates are now in single digits and negative growth rates have been reversed. The strong performance of the economy is based on the rebounding agriculture sector, which employs over 70 percent of the working population. Agricultural exports account for nearly 50 percent of the total export earnings with coffee, tobacco and fish being the main export earning commodities.

The other main driver of the positive growth is the rise in industry and services sectors. Information and Communication technology (ICT) subsector and particularly telecommunication
has registered impressive growth in the country. Growth has also been a result of an increase in public infrastructure investment especially in energy and roads. Social services have also
expanded particularly in education and health as a result of Government’s policy of universal access.

Health

Inoculation against yellow fever and cholera are advisable but not mandatory. It is imperative that anti malarial prophylactics be taken before, during and after your visit. Bottled water available through out the country is recommended.
Do not also get sun burnt! This is Uganda where the sun is at times harsh. Apply sun screen before going out into the sun.

Dress

Dress is generally informal. Swim wear and very skimpy clothing should be confined to beaches and resorts. For safaris, “natural” colours should be worn in preference to bright colours.
In the forest areas of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Rwenzori and Elgon areas, it is cold and will require sweaters, jackets and long sleeped shirts and blouses.

Population

Uganda had the second highest fertility rate and the fifth highest growth rate in the world reports of 2012. In only three years, three million Ugandans, many of who are unplanned, have been born into the country. According to the current estimations Uganda’s total population has grown to 37.5 million this year. This is up from 34.5 million in 2011. Life expectancy is around 53:45 years. The fertility rate of Ugandan women is at 5.9 children per woman, down from 6.7 in 2005 infant mortality rate is 64.2/1000. Uganda has the world’s second youngest population after Niger, the study notes.

Religion

Most of the Ugandans are Christians the current report shows, and Christians form 66% of the population, Muslim community consists about 16% of the population and people with their native beliefs forms about 18%