UGANDA “FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY”
LOCATION
Uganda, a country in East Africa is bordered by Kenya on east, Sudan on north, Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west, on the south by Tanzania.
CAPITAL
The capital of Uganda is Kampala which is the largest city of the country.
LANGUAGE
English (official national language), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
DISTRICTS
Uganda is divided into 80 districts across four administrative regions. Most districts are named after their main commercial and administrative towns. Eleven new districts came into being on 1 July 2006.
DEMOGRAPHY
With a population of around 31,367,972 Uganda has three main ethnic groups- Bantu, Nilotic, and Central-Sudanic, Bantu being the most numerous. According to the 2009 census the sex ratio is 1 male/female. It is a developing country with the highest illiteracy rate in the Africa.
ECONOMY
Owing to the abundance of natural resources, including the rich fertile soil and regular rainfall, agriculture is the backbone of the industry, employing over 80% of the work force. With the increasing importance of tourism in the economy the government has allotted 0.1% of the recent budget for development of tourism. Tourism is the second largest earner of foreign exchange earner, at times even exceeding coffee. The number of tourists went up four-fold in the last ten years, from less than 200,000 in 1998 to 844,000 in 2008, while it contributed $540m to the Ugandan economy in 2007. The contribution of Travel & Tourism to Gross Domestic Product is expected to be 8.2% in the year 2009.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling (UGX).. US dollars are widely accepted here. Euros and Pound Sterling are also used. One may find difficult to use travelers’ cheque outside of Kampala.
GEOGRAPHY
Uganda is a landlocked country as it is bounded by Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda's area is 91,134 square miles (236,036 km2).
The physical feature which gives this place a rugged topography is the savanna plateau which is some 3,000 to 5,000 feet high. The surrounding mountain, the old volcanic peaks and the lakes give it a pre historic look. The interior around Lake Kyoga is lower and often swampy. Bordered by the Africa’s Great Rift Valley, on the western border is adorned by Lakes Albert, Edward, and George. Ruwenzori, a mountain range rising to 16,763 feet, at Margherita Peak, is the highest in Uganda.
Savannas and other grasslands cover most of Uganda. There are some forests, chiefly in the Ruwenzori region. Big-game animals still roam the savannas, but most of them are found in national parks and game reserves.
CLIMATE
With the proximity of the equator the place enjoys an equatorial climate, having plentiful sunshine, but the high altitudes tend to moderate the temperature. Mean annual temperatures range from about 16° C in the southwestern highlands to 25° C in the northwest; but in the northeast, temperatures exceed 30° C about 254 days per year. Rainfall is well distributed according to the varied topography. Areas near the lakes have lower temperature as compared to the rest of the country and these areas enjoy an above average rainfall too. November to February is much drier than the rest of the year.
FOOD
Uganda on a plate has yummy banana dishes, stews, pastes and juicy fruits and drinks.
Your plate would be decorated by the diverse culture, as every tribe or region has a delicacy.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
When to Visit
With an equatorial climate, Uganda enjoys minor temperature variations throughout the year. Rainfall may decide the time which can be best suited for your visit. The wettest and coolest months are March-May and the mid-September to November. Activities like mountain hikes, gorilla tour which involving tracking through steep slopes with dense foliage and undergrowth and other forest walks are more challenging during the rains, which generally peak over mid-September to November and March to May
How to Reach
• Entebbe Airport is the hub for Ugandan air travel. Many flights to cities in Africa take place from here. Well connected to the world airports, air travel is the easiest way to reach Uganda. Uganda Airline Services include British Airways, Sabena World Airlines, Kenya airways, Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airways, Egypt Air , East African Airways. You can fly to Uganda cheaply using discount fares for your ticket.
• Minibuses and car are available as cheap transport. The crew is friendly and service-minded.
• Several bus companies offer direct lines between Kampala to Nairobi, Kigali and Dar es Salaam. Night service is also provided.
How to Get Around
• Boda-boda is small moped, motorcycle, bicycle or scooter with cushions on the back and is a cheap transport used by locals. They are a fun and fast way to get around in many of the cities.
• Buses are another way to go around in the city as well as to commute between two cities. Minibuses run fixed routes whereas some bus companies provide buses to travel from one city to another.
• Matatus is another name for minibus-type taxi, which is the most efficient and cost-effective method of transportation in urban areas. They are crowded, cheap, frequent, and make lots of stops.
• One can hire rental cars but they are too costly. In big cities, some companies provide cars with drivers.
PLACE TO VISIT
Pearl of Africa was the name given to Uganda by Winston Churchill. In the heart of Africa, Uganda is blessed by God with the rich flora and fauna and the beautiful lakes rimed by the mountains. In the lap of nature this place undoubtedly shines like a pearl.
Main attractions of Uganda are its nature and people of Uganda and its Govt. are keen to protect its nature. Most of the visitors love its Lakes,Waterfalls, Forests, HippoTrails,Trecking, Parks etc.
Waterfalls
Bujagali Falls- Located some 8kms out of Jinja(the second largest city), this waterfall provides a picturesque scene, and one of the best campsite. It lies some 10 km below Lake Victoria. The prolific vegetation covering the river banks and islands, and the astounding variety of bird life attracted by the multitude of fish, complete the stunning panorama.
Sippi Falls-One of the most beautiful and romantic falls; this place lures you to elongate your stay amidst the cascade of the shimmering waterfalls, the rich natural vegetation and the beautiful resorts. In the foothills of Mt Elgon nature has proved to be a dexterous sculptor with its three leveled falls. At Sipi falls, you see the majestic and awesome Mt Elgon above, and the wide plains of eastern and northern Uganda disappearing into the distance below. It is well worth spending a night or two in this peaceful and pretty place. To get the real thrill of the place take a dip at the base of the falls in day time and arrange for a stay in a tent at night.
Murchison Falls-It is one of the most visited falls of Uganda. With its dual attraction of the wildlife at its banks and the gushing Nile which is squeezed into 6m width crevice at the base, making it the world’s most powerful ejection of water for a waterfall. But the chance of combining an exquisite wildlife experience with the power of the falls is really what makes this one of the must-do activities in Uganda.
Forest
Budongo Forest-is home to some 600-700 chimpanzees Budongo Forest chimpanzees were first studied in the 1960's. Mpanga Forest is crisis crossed with an extensive network of paths from which visitors can view the prolific bird life that make this forest their home. The average height and size of trees in Mpanga is very large with impressive trees throughout. Experience the silence of a noisy forest, witness-floating paths of butterflies and enjoy the peace and solitude of a beautiful forest setting just one hour’s drive from the capital.
Safari
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park(The Gorilla Safari) - Mountain Gorilla trekking is one of the activities which has found its way in the “Before I die” list and Biwindi is the deatination to fulfill this wish. A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, is the abode of the rishest and the wildest of fauna in the world and the crown king is theendangered species of Mountain Gorrilas. Only two groups are allowed to visit per day comprising of approximately 8 people each. So three months advance booking is required to enjoy the trekking experience. The range of accommodations can run from budget to luxury tent camping with in-tent bathrooms and hot water, and fine dining.
Bird watcher’s paradise
Bwindi has around 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift Endemic such as; the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruel's Rush Warbler, Wilcock's Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.Nature Walk
Nothing is more delightful for a nature lover, than a peaceful walk amidst the nature itself. Bwindi has 4 hiking trails, which will get you familiarized with the primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees, and other organisms. This walk will give you an understanding of how the system of nature works.Hippo Trails
Trailing the bulky animal is one of the most exciting trips to take. A lunch trip along the Kazinga Channel in the scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda, will take to the lands of Hippos. The narrow channel shelters hundreds of hippos which lurch, submerge and surface in the bubbles.Cities to Visit
The land of nature, Uganda has the modern infrastructure to make its cities at par with the developed world.
Entebbe Town is the host of the international airport is just 21 mile from the capital city, Kampala. Entebbe has the status of a game sanctuary, and main attractions include the Ugandan Wildlife Education Center, the Botanical Gardens, and beaches along Lake Victoria.
Kampala
The capital city is heart throb of the country. It is a vibrant metropolis with lavish gardens, the commercial center of the country having malls, casinos and the best accommodation available with hotels ranging from five star hotels to the budget hotels.Other important city to visit is Jinja, the second largest city, which is another major commercial hub of Uganda. It lies on the banks of Lake Victoria, the source of Nile.
If One goes to Uganda he should not miss visiting the Ssese Islands. These islands are situated on the northern part of Lake Victoria. Described as a cross between the Hebrides and the Caribbean, the islands offer scenic views, plenty of activities like nature walks, fishing volley ball and other games. Spending a weekend on this island is adventurous.
Sports
Fishing
Sport fishing is done on Lake Victoria and Murchison Falls National Park.The main catch ot the Lake is the Nile Perch which is the largest fresh water game fish in the whole world.
Bungee Jumping
Increase the adrenalin flow, by experiencing the bungee jumping on the river Nile in Jinjia.White Water River Rafting and Kayaking
It is one of the most popular sports for both local Ugandans and the Uganda's tourists. Although, the Nile and the Bujagali Falls have been in existence for as long as the Almighty God endowed Uganda with this world wonder, the white water rafting and kayaking sports on the Nile has just been discovered, thanks be to the peace and stability in the country.Trekking
The Mountains of the Moon-Rwenzori Mountains-The best period to trek on the Rwenzori is the dry season between May and September and between December and February. It is a seven day tour known as “Central Circuit” trial, which gives you the possibility to see closely the main mountains and peaks, and to climb Margherita and Alexandra peak.
With a welcoming warm heart, the people of Uganda are ready to show you their hospitality with a smile accompanied by ‘Hello Mzungu!’ and the nature too has joined hands to show you its treasures. Take the plunge now, before the world wakes up to this magical microcosm of Africa.
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