Uganda is a delightful country particularly known as the Pearl of Africa, located in the heart of Africa. It forms an East African Community with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. This beautiful country boarders the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Rwanda to the south and Sudan in the north. Uganda being a landlocked country is said to be a little smaller than the United Kingdom and supports a diversity of habitats, from snowcapped mountains like Rwenzori Mountains in the western part of Uganda to lakes, winding rivers, forested reserves and jungles.
On the 9th of October 1962 Uganda gained its independence after 70 years of being a British colony. Currently, Uganda’s total population stands at 37.5 million people. For over the past two decades, Uganda has experienced sustained economic growth as a result of the stable and secure political atmosphere that has existed for over thirty years under the multiparty democratic governance. Since tourism plays an important part in our economic development, our government has developed a 10 year tourism master plan and a 5 year sector Development Plan to guide the implementation of critical activities to drive tourism growth in the country.
Uganda has a very strong cultural heritage. Many regions in Uganda have kingdoms including Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Rwenzururu and Toro kingdom. Ugandans are remarkably hospitable and hail from a diversity of rich cultures and life styles, each tribe having its own traditional dance. The country is blessed with 60 ethnic groups, 41 existing languages and only three are mentioned in debates as official language: Luganda, Swahili and English. Uganda’s Currency is Ugandan shilling (UGX) but also Dollars, pounds, Japanese yen, South African Rands, Chinese Yuan and Euros are accepted.
Uganda’s weather conditions are ideal, ranging from the warmth of the lowland areas to the coolness of the highlands in South West Kigezi. For the most part of the year, Uganda is sunny with temperatures rarely rising above 29 degrees and the average temperature of about 26 degrees C. Generally, the temperature in Uganda comprises of a maximum of 18 – 31 degrees and a minimum of 15 – 23 degrees depending on the part of the country.
The Equator runs through the country at an average altitude of 1000m which provides some relief from heat and humidity. Wet seasons are March-May & October – November; dry seasons are December to February & June to August. Therefore we advise against traveling during the rainy months as getting around can be difficult. The north is wet from April to October but it is largely off the tourist track. The rainfall regime allows two planting and harvesting seasons a year in most parts of the country, without the use of irrigation. You can squeeze in some time for a Ugandan farm tour, they are enlightening.
Uganda is predominantly Christian. However, there are other religions like Islam and local religions
