The Pearl of Africa

Uganda is located in East Africa neighboring Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Uganda covers 241,000 square kilometers in terms of area and fresh water bodies cover eighteen percent of the total area. Uganda has it all as regards to a total ecotourism experience; it’s a home to the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzee and ten other primates. The wildlife numbers have continued to grow in Uganda. Uganda has more than 50 large mammals and the birdlife is unrivaled and is considered to be the most excellent birding country in Africa, with over 1,000 species. The source of the River Nile flows from Lake Victoria to other countries.

Uganda is a country that sits on the equator and is 91,344 square miles in size with various places to visit including national parks, rain forests, gorilla trekking mountains hiking and rafting.

Winston Churchill noted in his book My African journey, “ For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life – plant, bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale…Uganda is truly the Pearl Of Africa.”

Uganda is comprised of people from different tribes located in different parts around the country. This illustrates the diversity of culture, lifestyles, traditions and languages.

The largest cultural ethnic group is the Buganda kingdom who is led by a king called “Kabaka” in the Luganda local language. The Baganda are based in central Uganda. Additional Ethnic groups include the Busoga Kingdom neighboring Buganda, Toro Kingdom, Acholi, Iteso, Banyankole, Iteso, Langi, Alur and many others.

History

Uganda is wealthy in history. 3500 years ago powerful kingdoms of Buganda and Bunyoro-Kitara emerged. The British established a protectorate in 1894, which reigned until Uganda was awarded its independence in 1962. The country went through a number of civil wars and strife. Uganda has had 9 presidents since it achieved its independence. In 1963 Uganda becomes a republic with Buganda’s King Muteesa as president.

Languages

There are as many languages as there are districts in Uganda. The languages number about 50. The common languages spoken in Uganda include English (which is the official language), Kiswahili, Luganda, Lusoga, Lunyankole, Lutooro, Ateso and Acholi.

Climate

The climate of Uganda is immensely equatorial but due to the difference in altitude and changing climate due certain factors, the climate in Uganda tends to differ. Uganda has both wet and warm seasons. In the past years, warm seasons would happen during December to February, well as the wet seasons happened in March to June and September to December but climate of recent has been changing during seasons. Ugandan temperatures average 30 degrees in the dry season and 22 degrees in the rainy seasons.

Landscape

Uganda lies on a plateau thousands of meters above sea level with the central area lying low occupied by the biggest lake in East Africa called Lake Victoria from which originates the great River Nile. These water bodies are very resourceful to the people of Uganda with a number of economic activities like agriculture, tourism, fishing and power generation taking place here.

The Eastern and Nothern parts of the country are covered by savannah grasslands and mainly known for agriculture and cattle rearing. Eastern Uganda includes districts like Mbale, Busia, Tororo, Sironko, Kapchorwa, Bulambuli. These districts are mountainous. Mountain Elgon is found in Eastern Uganda.

Northern Uganda includes districts like Gulu, Lira, Kitgum, Agago, Moroto, Kotido to mention but a few.

Western Uganda is a beautiful place gifted with thick tropical rainforests, grasslands, tea plantations, hills, and a snow-peaked Rwenzori Mountains. The Western region includes game parks, Lakes, water bodies and game reserves. It takes two and half hour’s drive from Kampala to enter into the region.

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Population

Uganda’s population is growing each day and today there are over 30 Million people in Uganda and the population is still growing and is comprised more of young people than elders.

Accommodation

The Hospitality industry in Uganda is very well-to-do especially in townships and in tourism areas around the country. Accommodation in Uganda varies from luxury, camps, and budget. While in Uganda for a trip, you will always find accommodation that suits your budget.