Category: Uganda

Uganda is located in East Africa and the country is also called as ‘Pearl of Africa’. The country is bordered by Kenya, Sudan, Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Uganda derived its name from Buganda kingdom which includes south part of the country with capital Kampala. The capital of the country is Kampala. About 1,700 – 2,300 years back, the people of the country were hunter-gatherers. Later Bantu-speaking people were came from central Africa and migrated to southern portions of Uganda. In 1894, Uganda became the protectorate of British East Africa Company. In 1962, Uganda got independence from Britain by maintaining the Commonwealth membership.

The government of the country is democratic republic in which both the head of the government and head of the state is the President. Vice-president and Prime Minister are appointed by the President. The parliament of the country is formed by National Assembly. Executive powers are executed by the government. Legislative power of the country is vested up on both National Assembly and government. Judiciary system is independent from both executive and legislative powers. The economy of Uganda suffered from instability and devastating policies making it as one of the poorest countries of the world for several decades. Uganda’s economy mainly depends on natural resources, such as copper, cobalt, natural gas and crude oil.

The total population of Uganda is 42.8 million and the three major ethnic groups of Uganda are Nilotic, Bantu and Central-Sudanic. The non-indigenous group in the country is the South Asian immigrants and around 3,000 Arabs of various origins are also living in the country. The official languages of the country are Swahili and English. The widely spoken local language is Luganda used mainly by Ganda people. Other languages spoken are Runyankore and Lusoga. About 84% of the population consists of Christians and other religious beliefs are Islam, Baha’i, Jewish and other indigenous beliefs.

Several tourist destinations are there in Uganda such as National Parks, museums and diverse landscapes. You can see endangered mountain Gorillas in Uganda and about half of mountain gorilla population in the world is seen in Uganda. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of 360 gorillas making the most visited national park in the country. Uganda is world’s best destination for bird watching. Some of the best places for bird watching are Semliki National Park, Bwindi National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Mabira Forest, Lake Mburo National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can see buffaloes, Leopard, Elephants, bush bucks, hyenas and side stripped jackals. You can also see primates like Puff adder, Gabon Ripper, Spitting Cobra, African Rock Python, Green Mamba, crocodiles and turtles. Kasubi tombs are the world heritage site known for Buganda tradition with one of the biggest Banda of the world. Uganda Museum displays the cultural heritage of Uganda and the museum also has natural-historical and ethnological exhibitions. Ssese Islands are the group of eighty-four islands where you can enjoy activities like nature walks, swimming, fishing and other sport activities. Cultural tours and ecotourism of Uganda is enjoyable for the tourists.