Quick Facts About Uganda
Uganda covers an area of about 241,038 sq. km.; of which about 44,000 sq. km. is covered by fresh water bodies made up of swamps, forest reserves and game parks. Uganda is roughly the same size as Great Britain or Ghana. It is bordered by Kenya to the east, Sudan to the north, D.R.C. to the west and by Tanzania and Rwanda to the south.
Most of the country is a plateau, standing at an average of 1,200 M above sea level. The highest point is on Mt. Rwenzori, at 5,590 M with a permanent snow cover and Mt. Elgon at 4,300 M. The lowest on the other hand is 659 M at Albert Nile.
River Nile is the world’s longest river (6,700 km.) and it commences its journey from Lake Victoria (in Jinja-Uganda) which in turn is the world’s second largest fresh water body of 36,000 sq. miles.
The country lies at the overlap between Tropical East African Savannah, and West African rain forest zone. Nearly 1/5 of the country is made up of swamps and open water bodies, including the lakes Victoria, George, Edward, Albert, Kyoga , the Nile River and other smaller lakes.
The Equator crosses through Uganda. This fact greatly influences the climatic conditions of the country.
The south is thickly forested while the north is largely savannah, with some semi-desert areas in the north-east.
Temperature
Average annual temperature is 26 degrees C. in South Western, and 35 degrees C. in the north and North East.
Rainfall
Average annual rainfall is 1,000 mm in most parts of the country and 2000 mm in the islands of Lake Victoria. Most of Uganda is green all year round.
Languages
English is the official language, but Swahili is also widely used, especially among the business community, police and the army. There are a number of indigenous languages, which can be grouped into three: the Bantu, the nilotics, and the nilo-hermits.
Religion
The majority of Ugandans are Christians. Available statistics show that Christians form 66% of the population, people with their own indigenous beliefs form about 18%, and there is a Muslim community of about 16% of the population.
Capital City
Uganda’s capital city is Kampala. It is a modern city built on seven hills and befitting a country with one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Over the past few years it has expanded to cover ten hills, and continues to grow both in size and charm. Entebbe International Airport serves the country.
Food
There is a very wide variety of food and eating-places all over the country. At the city you will find all sorts of restaurants that meet both local and international interests. There are Italian, Indian, Thai, Greek, European, and Chinese restaurants. The markets provide a variety of fresh foodstuffs.
Wildlife
Uganda’s location along the Equator, combined with the altitude and the great variety of terrain types, provide an overwhelming array of opportunities to keen birders and wild game viewers.
Uganda is one of the few countries in the world where you can find the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat as well as the rare shoebill. The country is also home to other numerous species of birds and mammals.
A Glimpse into History
Archaeological findings point to the fact that prehistoric man walked the earth in what is today Uganda. Many sites have been excavated that show habitation over the centuries. One of the more recent excavations is at Kiboro near Lake Albert, where there are traces of village life going back a thousand years.
Recorded history has a much shorter tradition, and documentary evidence of Uganda’s past goes back only 150 years. However, oral traditions tell stories of several hundred years ago.
The 19th century was a period of great change and great strife in Uganda. Many of the most famous sites are associated with this period.
Important sites that relate to people and events in Uganda’s rich past are now popular places for tourists to visit.
Kasubi Tombs – Kampala
Five kilometres north-west of Kampala on the Hoima road, is the burial place of the late Kabakas Mutesa I, Mwanga, Daudi Chwa, and Mutesa II. This historical site was once the palace of the Kabaka of Buganda. Muzibuazaala-Mpanga the magnificent round thatched building, 14 metres in diameter, houses the tombs of the kings.
Wamala Tombs – Mpigi
The shrines of Kabaka Suna II were built at Mpigi in 1856. He was the son of Kabaka Kamanya, and was the first Kabaka to receive Arab traders.
Kabalega’s Tombs – Mparo near Hoima
Kabalega was the ruler of Bunyoro from 1869 until he was sent into exile by the British in 1899. He returned to Uganda in 1923 and died at Jinja.
Karambi Tombs, Kabarole
These are the tombs of Daudi Kyebambe (Kasagama) and George Kamurasi Rukidi II. The kingdom of Toro arose in the early 19th century when Prince Kaboyo, son of Kyebambe, the ruler of Bunyoro rebelled against his father.
Kalema’s Prison Ditch (Tambiro) – Mpigi
The site is 16 km west of Kampala. Kabaka Kalema (1888-90) was a Muslim who reigned at a time of religious strife. He had succeeded his brother, Kiwewa (1888), who had himself succeeded his younger brother, the deposed Kabaka Mwanga. Kabaka Kalema had 30 close relatives killed in this ditch.
Mugauzilwazza’s Earthworks, Kyebando – Kampala
The earthworks were built to serve as a prison by Kabaka Mutesa I, but were never used.
Baker’s Fort, Patiko – Gulu
Built by Sir Samuel Baker in 1872 to suppress the slave trade and in an attempt to annex Bunyoro.
Nyero Rock Paintings – Kumi
The impressive rock paintings are on a granite hill known as Moru Ikara near the village of Nyero. The rock face is decorated with ornate designs, canoes and zebra.
Bweyore Capital site – Mbarara
Ankole traditions tell us that Bweyore was chosen on several occasions to be the Omugabe’s capital. The first occupation was by Omugabe Kasasira in about 1650. It was also used by Karara, son of the Macwa at the end of the 18th century. The last time the site was used as the capital was under Rwebishengye, a contemporary of Kabaka Kamanya.
Nkokonjeru Tomb – Mbarara
This is the tomb site of Kahaya II, Gasyonga II, and other members of the Kingdom of Ankole.
Fort Lugard – Kampala
This is the British Fort established by Captain Lugard in 1890. The existing building was built between 1908 and 1910, and was the seat of British government for many years. The ramparts were destroyed during the Amin period.
Kiwewa’s Tomb, Masanafu – Mpigi
Kiwewa’s period of 1888 is referred to as the year of the three kings, namely Mwanga, Kiwewa and Kalema, and was a period of religious strife. Kiwewa was put to death on the orders of his brother, Kalema.
Katasiha Port and Cave – Hoima
This fort was established in 1894 by the British to subjugate Omukama Cwa II Kabalega, and is 2 km northwest of Hoima. Kabalega had used the cave as a hideout.
Kigezi Memorial – Kisoro
This memorial, four kilometres from Kisoro, marks the agreements in 1912 between Britain, Belgium and Germany that settled colonial boundaries, and established the District of Kigezi.
Namugongo Martyr’s Shrine
This shrine, 12km from Kampala on the Jinja road, commemorates the 20 Uganda Christians burnt alive by Kabaka Mwanga in 1886.
The Slave Route
A new Africa-wide project identifies ancient slave routes that traversed the continent, and indicates some important sites within Uganda, revealing both the historical as well as social legacies of this era. A Slave Route map can be obtained from the National Museum.