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Overview

The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the “Pearl of Africa”. It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the south by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria. Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom.

Trips to Uganda:

Uganda Gorilla Tracking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The Ugandans were hunter-gatherers until 1700 to 2300 years ago. Bantu-speaking populations, who were probably from central and western Africa migrated to the southern parts of the country. These groups brought and developed ironworking skills and new ideas of social and political organization. Arab traders moved inland from the Indian Ocean coast of East Africa in the 1830s. They were followed in the 1860s by British explorers searching for the source of the Nile. The United Kingdom placed the area under thecharter of the British East Africa Company in 1888, and ruled it as a protectorate from 1894. As several other territories and chiefdoms were integrated, the final protectorate called Uganda took shape in 1914. From 1900 to 1920, a sleeping sickness epidemic killed more than 250,000 people, about two thirds of the population in the affected lake-shore areas. Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962. The first post-independence election was won by Milton Obote as executive Prime Minister, the Buganda Kabaka (King) Edward Muteesa II holding the ceremonial position, and William Wilberforce Nadiope the Kyabazinga (paramount chief) of Busoga as Vice President. Obote was deposed from office in 1971 when Idi Amin seized power. Amin ruled the country with the military for thenext 8 years. Amin’s rule cost an estimated 300,000 Ugandan’s lives. He forcibly removed the entrepreneurial South Asian minority from Uganda. The Ugandan economy was devastated. Amin’s reign was ended after the Ugandan-Tanzanian War in 1979 in which Tanzanian forces aided by Ugandan exiles invaded. Yoweri Museveni has since been in power and there has been several conflicts in which there are numerous crimes against humanity including child slavery and mass murder. Conflict in northern Uganda has killed thousands and displaced millions.

Entry Requirements

Uganda Visas are issued on arrival. US Citizens pay $50 entry fees. A passport valid for 3 months after date of entry is required. Visitors must hold return/onward tickets and all documents required for their next destination.

Vaccinations

Uganda requires proof of a valid Yellow Fever immunization certificate. Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, and Typhoid immunizations are recommended for all travelers. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended and you should consult your local doctor or physician to advise which malaria medication is best suited for you. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel

Weather

Entebbe, Uganda

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg High F 81 81 79 79 77 77 75 77 79 79 79 79
Avg Low F 64 64 64 64 64 63 63 63 63 63 64 63

Communication

Uganda – country code +256. Most areas will have mobile access and Internet available. Some areas on safari may not have mobile access.

Electricity

Uganda – Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz; Type G electrical plug has three flat pins

Travel Advisories

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travelers’ cheques.  Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

Be sure to inform your credit card company as well as your bank you will travel internationally into Africa. This will eliminate any credit card holds for fraudulent activity.

Currency

Carrying cash, an ATM or traveler’s check card and also a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency is advisable. The best places to exchange money are normally bureau de change, which are fast, have longer hours and often give slightly better rates than banks. Local currency is Ugandan Shillings (UGX), however most places accept USD. Better hotels, lodges, and camps will accept credit cards, however it is advised to withdraw cash when visiting remote areas and villages.

Government

Uganda – is a presidential republic whereby the President is both head of state and head of government.

Religion

Uganda – 84% Christians, 41.9% Catholics, 35.9% Anglican, 12% Muslim, and 1% traditional religions

Ethnic Groups

Uganda’s ethnic groups are most broadly distinguished by language. In southern Uganda, most of the population speak Bantu languages. Sudanic speakers inhabit the northwest; Nilotic speakers, principally the Acholi and Langi, live in the north; and the Itseo and Karamajong in the northeast. The Baganda, who populate the northern shore of Lake Victoria, constitute the largest single ethnic group, making up about 17% of the total population. The Basago 8%, the Iteso 8%, and the Langi 6%. Perhaps 6% is of Rwandan descent either Tutsi or Hutu.

Languages

Around 40 different languages are spoken. English became the official language after Independence. Ugandan English is a local dialect. Widely spoken is Luganda mostly spoken by Ganda people around Kampala. Lusoga and Runyankore are spoken in the southwestern parts of the country. Swahili is also widely used and is the second official language.

Economy

Uganda’s economy suffered for decades from devastating economic policies and instability, leaving Uganda as one of the world’s poorest countries. The country has commenced economic reform. Uganda has substantial natural resources including fertile soils, regular rainfall and sizeable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The country has largely untapped reserves of both crude oil and natural gas. Agriculture still accounts for 56% of the economy with coffee as its main export. The economy grew because of continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, reduced inflation, gradually improved security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. The Government has used the stock market as an avenue for privatization. Uganda depends on Kenya for access to international markets.

Climate

Although generally equatorial, the climate is not uniform as the altitiude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda is 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. Further to the north a dry season gradually emerges at Gulu about 120km from the Sudanese border, November to February is much drier than the rest of the year. The northeastern Karamoja region has the driest climate and is prone to droughts in some years. Rwenzori in the southwest on the border with Congo (DRC) receives heavy rain all year round. The south of the country is heavily influenced by on the world’s biggest lakes, Lake Victoria, which contains many islands. It prevents temperatures from varying significantly and increases cloudiness and rainfall.