About
Uganda
Uganda is a republic found in East Africa with Kampala
as its capital and the largest city located on Lake
Victoria. Entebbe town which is further south has the
international Airport the main gateway into the country.
Uganda is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It
has an area of more than 236,040 sq km of which 36,330
sq. km is fresh water, mostly Lake Victoria.
Location
Uganda is a landlocked country in terms of
ocean accessibility bordered in the north by the Sudan,
in the east by Kenya, in the west by the Congo, and
the south by Tanzania and Rwanda. Coordinates are 1
00 N, 32 00 E.
Physical Description
Uganda is one large plateau and is a land of the rolling
hills with markedly diversified landscape including
elevated plains, big forests, low swamps and mountain
ranges with high snow-capped peaks. The Victoria Nile
and the Albert Nile are the main rivers.
Climate
Located astride the equator at a relatively
high altitude, Uganda experiences an equatorial mild
climate with temperatures ranging between 20(o)C and
22(o)C (68(o)F to 72(o)F). It has two rainfall seasons
in a year from March to April and September to November.
Rich soils and rainfall permit extensive agriculture
thus bringing about an agricultural economy, and in
the drier and less fertile northern areas, pastoral
economies are common.
General information
After many years of political, economic and social turmoil
following independence from United Kingdom in 1962,
Uganda is now stable in the different fields of politics,
the economy and social aspects.
Population
The population of about 24 million is primarily black
Africans the majority of which are Bantu and the rest
are Nilotics. English is Uganda's official language,
but the people speak many African languages. Ugandans
are renowned worldwide for their pleasant hospitality.
Economy
Uganda has substantial natural resources, including
fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral
deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most
important sector of the economy, employing over 80%
of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop and
accounts for the bulk of export revenues.
Currency
The Uganda shilling issued by the central bank (Bank
of Uganda) is the unit of currency. About 1860 shillings
equates to USD $ 1. A few foreign banks have branches
operating in the country mostly in the capital.
Transportation
Transport in the country is mainly by automobiles. The
major cities are connected by paved roads.
Communication
The country has three cellular operators with a sharp
increase of subscribers. E-mail and Internet services
are available. There are now many Radio broadcast stations
broadcasting Local programmes and music, popular American
and European music for entertainment and also creating
forums for brisk internal political debates and exchange
of ideas on international issues.
Media
There are many local and English written newspapers
of which New vision and Monitor English newspaper dominate
the market and are popular.
Health
Health facilities in the country including
hospitals within the capital city Kampala are of low
standards compared to the Western world standards. However
private individuals have come in to supplement on the
existing facilities to improve the quality and services
to reduce on the doctor to patient ratio as well.
Information presented is very important prior to your
Uganda
Safari
|
