Information About Uganda

History of Uganda

Bantu-speaking communities from central Africa with social and political organization settled in the southern regions of Uganda where they introduced the iron-making skills while the Nilotic people who were hunters and subsistence farmers settled in the northern parts during the 120 AD. Arab traders and the British explorers looking for the source of river Nile moved inland in the 1830s and 1860s respectfully. In the 1990s, more than 1 million people died after rats carried unknowingly by British naval ships spread the black plague disease while more than 250, 000 people were killed from 1990 to 1920 by the sleeping sickness. In 1962, Uganda gained its independence under the commonwealth ream and in 1963 the state became a republic. An alliance between Kabaka Yekka and Uganda people's congress won the first post-independence elections in 1962. A coup in 1971 removed the ceremonial president and the vice-president and cleared all the traditional kingdoms. The leadership of Idi Amin with the military from 1971 to 1979 claimed the lives of more than 300, 000 Ugandans who were associated with the opponent Obote's loyalists. Since 1986, Yoweri Museveni has been the president of Uganda up to date.

Geography of Uganda

Uganda, a landlocked country, lies within the east African plateau. South Sudan and Kenya are the neighboring countries of Uganda in the northern and eastern regions respectively while Tanzania and the democratic republic of Congo lie on the southern and western borders of Uganda. The country covers an area of about 241, 038 square kilometers with 197, 100 square kilometers dry land and 43, 938 square kilometers covered by water. The country has no coastline but is occupied by a rim of mountains and most parts of the country lie within the plateau. The poorly drained southern regions share the Lake Victoria, while Lake Kyoga dominates the central parts. Margherita peak found on the mount Stanley at 5110 meters above the sea level is the highest point while Lake Albert at 621 meters below the sea level forms the lowest point in the country.

Climate of Uganda

The climate in Uganda is not uniform due the climate modifications by the large variations in the altitude although the climate mainly falls under the equatorial and tropical climatic belts. Most parts receive well distributed amounts of rainfall and two dry seasons from June to August and December to February are encountered. The north-eastern regions are prone to drought while the south-western regions along Ruwenzori Mountain receive high rainfall.

Natural Resources in Uganda

Uganda is a country with substantial natural resources ranging from fertile land which receives regular rainfalls, mineral deposits such as gold, copper and cobalt to the production of hydro power and even some oil deposits have been recently discovered. Minor deposits of limestone and salts are also in this place.

Tourist Attraction in Uganda

The portion of the gigantic Lake Victoria owned by Uganda makes the country popular even in other overseas countries. The breathtaking wildlife terrain in Uganda make game viewing the great tourist activities undertaken in Uganda. Famous national park such as the Kidepo Valley national part where the two major rivers in Uganda flow through and the queen Elizabeth national park which houses more than 500 species of birds and 95 different species of mammals, are the most visited areas in Uganda. Other special site include the Kasubi tombs- the UNESCO heritage center where the four kings of Buganda were buried, the Ssese island which is a combination of 84 four islands in lake Victoria, Ruwenzori mountains and the Africa's largest lake-lake Victoria and the Kampala city where you will encounter the Uganda museum and the national theater. The major cities in Uganda include:

• Kampala
• Gulu
• Lira
• Mbarara
• Jinja
• Mbale
• Mukono

Famous Hotels in Uganda

• Humura Resorts
• Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort
• Kampala Serena Hotel
• Lake Victoria Serena Resort
• Imperial Royale Hotel
• Speke Resort and Conference center

Uganda Culture and Cuisine

Christianity and Muslim are the major religious groups in Uganda while football is the national game. Most arts and crafts in Uganda are usually made from wood such as the batiks and beaded jewellery. Both the traditional and modern foods, dishes and cooking styles are features in the today's Ugandan cuisine. The major meals include the ugali (maize meal) and mashed and steamed bananas (matoke) which are served together with a sauce or stew of meat, groundnuts or beans. African sweet potato, rice and cassava are also substituted during the main meals. Bananas and pineapple are the dominant fruits in Uganda.

International and Domestic Airports in Uganda

• Entebbe international airport
• Arua airport
• Gulu airport
• Moyo airport
• Jinja airport
• Kidepo airport