Kalema Lawrence
Uganda is one of the small countries that receive many visitors daily due to its natural wonders. Besides that, this small landlocked country is estimated to be with over 40 millions of people but a few of them know about their country and what it harbors. This article is meant for you who would wish to at least know about the over view of this spectacular land locked country.
She is a landlocked country in East Africa that is also known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’. Uganda is bordered by Kenya in the East, South Sudan on the North, Democratic Republic of Congo on the west, Rwanda on the South West and Tanzania on the South.
The country takes its name from the Buganda Kingdom which encompasses a portion of the south including the Capital City Kampala. She gained independence from the Britain on 9th October 1962.
Flag
The Uganda flag consists of equal horizontal bands of black – yellow – red – black – yellow – red and a white disc that is superimposed at the center depicting the national symbol, a grey crowned crane facing the hoist side.
Uganda’s official name is ‘Republic of Uganda’ and covers 93,065 sq km in general with land taking 76,101 sq km, and water taking 16,965 sq km.
Population
According to the estimated census of 2016, Uganda’s population was 40,322,768 millions of people and the population growth rate was 3.31% yearly change. Life expectancy is about 53.2 years.
Government
The president of Uganda, currently Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is both the head of state and head of government. The National assembly which has over 375 members forms the parliament.
Climate
Generally, Uganda is equatorial. However, the climate is not uniform as the altitude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda wetter with rain generally spread throughout the year. At Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, most rain falls from March to June and the November/ December period.
In the North, a dry season gradually emerges. For example in Gulu, November to February is much drier than the rest of the year. The North Eastern Karamoja region has the driest climate and is pone to drought in some years.
Rwenzori in the Southwest, receives heavy rainfall all year round and the south is generally influenced by one of the world’s largest lakes, L. Victoria which contains many islands. This prevents temperatures from varying significantly and increases cloudiness and rainfall.
Demarcations
Uganda is demarcated in either districts, counties or kingdoms. The districts that are also further divided into counties are spread across the four administrative regions of Northern, Eastern, Central and Western. There are over 100 districts, each divided decentrally into sub-districts, counties, sub-counties, parishes and villages.
Parallel with the state administration, six traditional Bantu kingdoms have remained enjoying some degrees of mainly cultural autonomy. These include Buganda that is the largest and covering the whole central region, Toro, Ankole, Busoga, Bunyoro and Rwenzururu.
People & Languages
Around 55 different languages are spoken regularly in the country. The official languages are English and Swahilli, although multiple other languages are spoken in the country. Luganda dominating almost all Bantu kingdoms and Nilo-Saharan languages.
Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu-speaking peoples who dominate much of east and central and southern Africa. In Uganda, these include Buganda, Busoga, Bagishu, Iteso and several others like Basamia, Banyankore, Bakiga, Bafumbira, Banyole. In the North live the Lango and the Acholi who speak Nilotic languages.
To the East are the Iteso and Karamojong, who are related to the Masaai and who also speak Nilotic languages. Pygmies live in the forest of the west.
Religion
According to the 2014 census, Christians make up about 84% of Uganda’s population. The Roman Catholic Church has the highest number of adherents (41.9%), followed by Anglican Church of Uganda (35.9%). Evangelical and Pentecostal churches claim the rest of christian population.
However, there is a growing number of Presbyterian denominations. The Muslim Population is the other most reported religion estimated to represent 12% on Uganda’s population and are primary Sunni though they have other minorities like Shia, Ahmadiyya and non-denominational Moslem.
Others to know about Uganda
Banking Hours
Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 6.00 pm; Sat 9.00 am to 4.00pm
Business Hours
Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Climate
Tropical, rainy seasons, March to May, and September to November; dry seasons, December to February and mid June to mid August. Mean annual temperatures range from about 16 C ( 61 F) in the southwestern highlands to 25 C (77 F ) in the northwest; but in the north east, temperatures exceed 30 C ( 80 F) about 254 days per year.
Currency
The shilling ( UGX)
Exchange Rate
UGX 3610 on average per US dollar (2018, February).
Highest point
Margherita peak on mount Stanley at 5,110 meters.
Public Holidays
1 JANUARY, 26 January ( liberation day), 8 march( international women’s day), good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 may ( Labor’s day), 3 June ( martyrs day), 9 June ( national heroes day), 30 august ( eid-al-fitr/ end of Ramathan ), 9 October (independence day), 6 November ( Eid-al-Adha/ Feast of the sacrifice), 25 December (Christmas day), 26 December ( Boxing day).
International Dialing Code
+256
Time
GMT +3.
